Merthyr Times and Dowlais Times and Aberdare Echo

FLAIN POLITICS. [Br Maf,\urn.] fNote.Mfcenhlr alone is responsible for what appears in this column.-Ed. [ I hare recently Had the opportunity of teeing a document which throws a curious light on the charac- ter of the law-abiding clashes, the respectable owners of property, the landlord and magistrate class. It is a report pressuted to tho Horue Secretary by th3 Iaspeetor of Fisheries of an inquiry held with refer- ence to certain proposed bye-laws in a salmon fishery district in South Wrdc:?. These fishery district? are j at present governed by certain Beard* of Con-serva- tors, who are almant entirely unrepresentative, and whoee one idea is to crush out the industrious finher- men who make a. scanty livelihood by net-fishing at j the mouths of the rivers, and to favour the wealthy riparian owners who indulge in salmon fishing as a. J >"port ia the tii)per water". j In the present case the Board referred to bad adopted 6om8 obnoxious bye-laws restricting still farther the brief tiuie allowed to the net fishermen for following thair trade, and at the tame time lengthen- ing the 6eaaon for rod fishing, reducing the cast of rod licences, and in other ways increa-sing the priri- leges of the lauded proprietors. Against these bye- laws the unfortunate net fishermen apppa!ed by a memorial, and counter-memorials were lodged by the landlords. The significant poiut about these last memorials is thas referred to in the report of the inspectors :— It will be observed thit both the memorials in favour of the proposed bye-laws end with a. somewhat etrongly-worded intimation that, unless their petition ■ 13 granted, the memorialists will not only withdraw j from the Board, but that, as landed proprietors, many of whom are magistrates, they will withdraw their assistance in protecting the upper waters." In other words, these gentry insolently threatened the Government of the country that unless thoy were allowed to assert their own selfiah interests over the just rights of the workinsr net fishermen, they would refnse to carry out the law, and would violato their dnty ae magistrates. This attitude on their part bears a striking resem- blanee to that of the blustering Orangemen, who threaten that, if Parliament repeals the Act of Union between Great Britainand Ireland, they will instantly throw off their allegiance and take to arms. Did not Lord tSaliebnry also hint, not so very long ago, that if a 6erious attempt were made to interfere with the privileges of the House of Lords, tho,e pampered fitvourites of the State would resort to armcd rebellion rather than submit Sneh is indeed the general state of mind among the so-called upper classes." For centuries they have had the sole control of legislation, and all the laws have been made in their favour. As long as that has been the case they have never tired of preaching tho fstered- Bese of the law, and devising the heaviest penalties for those who dared to resist it. But once let the fin- ger of the law touch the sacred ark of their privileges, and their evil paKiionK break out in rampant defiance, and they want to repeat the Norman Conquest over again. The insolence of the Esalmon-fi-ihing gentry of whotn I have spoken was nut quite successful. The inspec- tors, one of whom was the celebrated Huxley, repor- ted strongly iu favour of the poor net fishermen, and most of the obnoxious bye-laws were disallowed by the then Home Secretary, Sir William Harcourt. Pwhipa if a Tory Government had been in office at the time, the result would hare been different. One cannot easily imagine the Marquis of Salisbury sacri- ficing the sport of English goDtlemento the vulgar welfare of a get of poor working men. Noverthelt-sa the existing bye-laws of mo"t of these Boards of Con- eervatora are framed in a thoroughly claw spirit, and the net fisherman i, as a, rule, taxed to tho last peuny, while the wealthy riparian owner has his pocket ceusideied in every possible way. These aristocratic unrepresentative Boards should b* abolished, and their poweits liandcrl over to the County Council. This may seem a trifling matter, and one with which the dwellers by the grimy Taff have not much concern. But it will be found that in this, as in other things, what concerns one concerns all. It is the gradual crushing out of rural industries of all kinds by the greed and luxury of the landlord claae which i3 depopulating the country aud driving thousands of unskilled labourers into the industrial centres, to take the bread out uf the mouths of the working men there. Only the other day I beard of one typical cass. It waa in Wiltshire. A young man bad been guilty of the fearful crime of going out for a walk with a friend. One of them carried a gun. Their walk lav- past a plantation, and somehow or other thy gun was let off. Instantly the myrmidons of the local squire appeared upon the scene, and the two law-breakere fted for their live-s. One of them was recognised by the keepers, and so keenly did ho realise what his fate was likely to be at tbo hands of the local squiro and bis brother tuagistratei-' that tie never ceased his flight till lie found himself iu the Ithondda Valley. It may easily be imagined wbat sort of recruit this young man would make for the Amalgamated Society or any other bov.i jidr trades union, and how the pH- jwtual influx of men of his clats plays into the bands of &ir William Lewis in his tireless efToits to under- mine the men's organisation and to reduce colliers' wagee to the level of—W iltshire Surely it would 1*j worthy of th- leaders of Labour if they would turn their mino" to some of thes<- matters. Instead ot routining tbeiusehvs to what may be called tho narrow basis of trade* iraionn-.tu, let them look ahead ur: ail the variou? conditions which affect labour through the country. ilud work to bring abont a general and thorough -going change not only in the laws, but iu the spirit in which the la us are ttdmiaistered. I have not anything cheerful to rejvnt of Cardiff this week. We have got our new Thousand, and it is simply the old one re-elected. The ward meetings were boycotted by tho working men, and t-xcapt in the Central, where I happened to be present, I do not believe a dozen new names wore added iu any one ward. Some amusement was caused by our electing the reporter of the 7TVs?ern Mail 011 to the Thousand, but my experience of Conservative journalists is that they are geuerally very good Radicals at bottom. The candidate chosen by the Thousand, it is now certain, will be a moderate Liberal, representative of j the middle class. Of this it is not for me to complain. It, as Thursday night allowed, the total number of Liberal voters who take enough of interest in the question to come to a meeting is between 600 and 700, it is mere waste of time to urge the claims of tho democraoy to consideration. The VW? may watch; uie from its Parliamentary handicap. The stable money is 011 another horse. The wild-talk about Mr. John Morlcv and mjcIi j other magnates k mere raocmiihine- If we get an out- sider it will be someone of very much Ie*:er ataudiug. Among the local names canva^ed, Mr. Clifford. Cory and Mr. John Duncan seem to Vj as favourably j received as auv, juat at trades- unionist leaders have spoken of Mr. Duncan to mo in appreci- ative terms, but I confess it would surprise me to learn that he was willing to stand. Everyone must admit that the proprietors of the So-'tk Wale* Ihiih> have never taken advantage of their jxwition to thrust themselves iuto public prominence. Iu that, I venture to think, they have sbowu good taste. I

that line full of clothes, sc perfectly clea' MATCHLESS CLEAJftJEU'S been used, that is ea-3i1y a

F>pyer\i and Trott T«?"Ie yb es Nt-v bi.tc. He iltit. s»ixiizth, «n«1 Eneno'. Insist Cfl 1 aviny Pfjjpcr'c Qmnin? .1\ t.

CYCLING GOSSIP. By Whi:ki.\ian. The Aberdare. Cycling Club will have soveial road races this season. Nowisthetimetojoin. They had i a very sucoessful season last year. 1 I have a letter this week from my friend, Mr. A. J. Sheen, A!>erdare, in reference to the track which is to 1*3 tstablished ;n Aberdare. Here it h — lied Lion, .Yberdarc. Dear Wheelman, -Having read your Cycling Noi.es | with great interest r< track in Aberdare, allow nu> to j say I should be only too j>!ea.ed to see your ideas carried out It is a want that we ae cyclists and j athletes have long felt, and I feel convinced that such a Ixion would bo fully appreciated by the inhabitants of the entire Aberdaro Valley. I can mention a few towns that posscsn a splendid track and athletic grounds, but they are minus the men. Now, in Aberdare we have the right stuff as regards men, but no track. Thi" naturally takes our men and a strong following of their admirers to towns afar off; the result is a decided lof,, to Aberdare generally. I have raced every season since 1882, bat have never come across a place, taking the population into eonsidera- tion, that has produced half so many good men as i Aberdare. Before concluding, allow me to thank you for your complimentary lemarks regarding myself. I m:ty add that. I have ridden my last race, as business ) prevents mo doing any more but. should we be fOitu, nate enough to have a track here, I may be tempted to have another go.—Yours truly, A. Whitehonsp, of Merthyr, who on the track very much resembles yonngr Michael who won the S'trrcy Hundred, will ride 111 handicap this year against the i liest in tho kingdom. Theatricals for the future must inelude bicyc-les among their "properties." Mr. E. Bandmann, in tIll" Manxman, had a bicycle on the stage, and in i Hicrh Jinks, at the Prince of Wales' Theatre in the Metropolis. a bicvele race for 12 competitors will: beheld. Surclv the bicvclo is becoming popular. Alf Lewis, of Aberarpan, a most ^uc ;essfnl profes- sional racer, I am told, is giving up racing. Fifteen months' hard labour was the rewaid Richard Thomas received at the recent Assizes for finding a bicycle which had not been Io-t. Very hard lines, indeed. W. R«iscr, of Swansea, who t-ecured the 50 and 25 miles club championship of the Swansea Harrier", is going in foi longdistance riding. He intends com- i peting in the Heme Hill 24 hours. All loca' cvelists look eagerly for the weekly issue or "Cycling Gossip." It will give hits of tip-, hints, and chat during the coming season all straight. The recent match between Linton and Huret ended i in fa\ our of Huret. We sympathise with Linton in: the loss of his mother. The new.-of her death. I believe, had a deal to do with his losing the match. | He has with his brothers been homo paying the ta"t 1 re*q>ectK to the dear depa.rte I, but has now returned in order to pace Michael in his 50 miles race on Snnday next, with Robertson. Here's luck to the little hero of the Surrey Hundred. Tom James, I hear, is training, and will be in the l>est possible condition fot his match, a month hence, with A. W. Harris. It has now been determiner] to run three distances, viz., half-mile, one mil?, and two miles, bust in three to win. There will also be other races, so that a good afternoon's sport should be the result.

ASSAULTING THE POLICE AT MERTHYR. At the Merthyr Police-court, on Monday, before Dr. Dyke and Mr. C. H. James, Joseph Reardon was charged with assaulting the polieo on Saturday evening.—P.C. Smith said no was called to a houae ou Saturday, where a woman was belabouring tho prisoner. The defendant became veryabueive and kicked tho witue.v;. P.C. Tuu) Evann then came i upui! tho scene, and priseuier bit him in the leg.— Fined £ 1 and cost.

BEDWELLTY GUARDIANS. Wednesday: Mr. R. Morris presided. A BBE2ZE.During the hearing of th*< relief bu'-inc-s. an application for reliof irom a man at Nantyglo was heard. Some of the (iuardians wanted to send the man to the Workhouse. Alderruan Harries said it would be inhuman to send an honest, hard-working man tu the Workhouse. He knew the case, and lie could tell them that he fully deserved relief. lie thought he knew the business of his own district letter than the Guardians from other places, and he was not going to bo sat upon.—After further remarks by other Guardians, Alderman Harries added that the applicant was a religious man.—The Chairman Don't talk to me about reliicion. We don't want religion or politics here. There are some of the bit noundrels going eonnected with religion.—liev. O. Griffiths asked if the Chairman would allow his remarks respecting religion to be published by the reporters':1—Here several Guardians essayed to speak at the same time.—Mr. Blacker did not think that th-y should have so much noise at the Board. They could talk more ouietly than they did. —A Guardian reinarkod that it did not matter how much noise they made as long as they had .-fnao behind them (laughter).—Another Guardian observed that thoy must ruako a noise or else sOllle people could not hoar (laughter). —It was ultimately decided to grant the man relief. BOOTS. — With respect to granting boots to poor people, it was stated that the boots could be procured from auy boot shop and not necessarily from tU3 con- tractor for the Union boots. THE lIot'SK.—The num!)er of inmatc-s in the House was 178 men, 83 women, and 44 children, total, 305 in the corresponding period last year, it was 176 men, 79 women, and &9 nnildran, total, 314, a decrease of 9. --The Master reported that Mary Driacoll, a young woman, had been put on bread and water for three mcals for striking another woman. Another young woman Waf6 also teported for riotous conduct, as well as a lad who had thrown water over the old men.— All these were called before the Board and cautioned in the usual way. THE Coor.-A letter was read front the cook wish- ing to resign her position.—The cook was called before the Board and said tint ilhe way not comfor- table there. She had no complaint to make against a,ny of the officiaIR.-Thu resignation was accepted. Somas CATHOLIC NURSES.—A commnnication was received respecting some remarks made in Truth with regard to tho employment of Roman Catholics as nurses. The pith of the communication was: whether the Board employed Roman Catholics as nurses or did they 1>oycott them'—The Deputy-clerk said that as q matter of fact there was one Jioman Catholic employed as uurse.—No notice was taken of the communication. Tnr:UNEMPLOYED.—A communication was received from the Local Government Board with regard t<" procuring work for the unemployed. It was t'tated that the District Council had put many unemployed men to work in attending to the streets at 2s. pei day, and others bad also been put to break -tones, Mtj. UiBCH-iM's BOOK. —It was decided to procure three dozen copies of Mr. Bircham's Ijook relating tc the Poor Law, an amendment by Mr. D. l'rice that each Guardian who wanted a copy should pay for i< himself being last. BLCE BOOKS.—Two tenders were m-eived for the blue books.—Mr. Poole's, being the lowest, wa: accepted. Assessment OF SHOPS IN Trie Uxion.—'The Rev G. Griffiths, in accordance with notice of motion moved that each member of the Board bo provider with a. return of the assessment of shops in the Union of a rateable value of P,20 aud upwards, likewise o the breweries and public-houses, and tho basis of th< assessment of cottages, Th« rev. gentleman said tba it would lie in touon with the democratic spirit of th< times. They would bo told that it would mean grea1 expense but he did not think it would !>e more that j a few pounds.—A Voice If not £ 20.—The rev I gentleman, continuing, said that he did not want ti reflect on anybody, but ha thought that all the Guar dians should have a copy, as he proposed, so tha' they might perune it at home at leisure.—There ^wai no seconder, and tho motion wa.< lost. TIME OF MEETING. — M). D. F. Pritcharrl, it accordance with notice of motion, moved that thi J hour of the meetings of the Guardians he alterec from 12 o'clock at noon to 10.30 a.m."—The mattei was adjourned until the next meeting. Be v ing am i SELLING.—Mr. W. Y. Hobkirk, i n accord anee with notice of motion moved that a committee be appointed to superintend thu buying of ali pro visions and other articles for the Workhouse, aud th< i selling of pigs, produce, aud other articles, the pro j perty of the Guardians. Mr. Hobkirk said thai nothing sltould be bought or sold relating to tin Workhouso unless the committee knew of it.Tlll motion was carried.

BRYXMAWR COUNCIL. Wednesday Mr. A. E. Evan? in the chair, THE LATE FIRE.—A communication was received from the Sun Insurance Office with respect to tht above.—The matter was adjourned.—Mr. W. Roljerts, referring to the late fire, drew attention to a remark made at the Blaina District Council wltl respect to the Blaiua Firo Brigade. It wan stated at that Council that when the brigade arrived at Bryn mawr 011 the night of the tiro there was no water it the town. That was not true, and he (Mr. Roberts' j thou?! that statements of that sort should not bot made.—The Chairman There was a good supply ol water.—Mr. Morgan Yes, a very good supply, t ConKF.srONdunct..—Several letters were read, iu. eluding one from Messrs. Be van, of Cardi.ff, offerinp to give quotations for how and fire appliances for tin town. — A circular was also read from the Local Government Board, resfx-t.-ting the unemployed.—Thf Chairman said that they were dealing with that mat- ter now. The Chairman also said that he had received an anonymous letter did they with to have it read I —The Council decided in the affirmative.— The Chair- man theu read the letter, which was signed Heavy Ratepayer," and referred to the letting of the market halls.—The letter was allowed to lie on the table.—A letter was read from the Local Government Board, confirming the appointment of Mr. R. S. Widdowson as insj)ector of nuisances for the ensuing year at a salary of £ 70. THE WATEtt Agmn.—Mr. Ilolwrts said that thr.it had been no water in Alma-street for a week.—Mr. Wiltshire said that there had l>een 110 water in his tap for three weeks.—Mr. D. A. Da vies I have not had auy for a month (laughteri. New Si-aiohteii HOUSE.—With regard to Mr. JIo«s' slaughter house, a petitiou was submitted against it from people in the locality. Mr. Bloor said it was a tramped up trick. It ;vas au attempt to boy- cott a. new beginner, lie (Mr. Bloor) would now inquire into other places, seeing thai; this one bad been objected to.—The Surveyor said that the medical officer aLo objected to it. Roberts said that the place was right at the back of some people's houses who already complained of deiicieut sanitation were they to over-ride their surveyor iu thematter Mr. D. A. l)av ies was afraid that there r. ai a good deal of feeling beiug imported into tho matter. They should nor, go against their surveyor and medical officer.—Mr. Bloor Itoped that the surveyor would look into other slaughter houses as well.—The Sur- veyor said that he did.—Mr. Roberts proposed that they accept the recommendation of their surveyor.— Mr. Lewis seconded.— Carried.—Mr. Lewis said that complaints were also made about Mr. Judd's slaughter hoiwe. — Mr. W. Davies gave notice of motion that no lioiliug of offal be allow?d in slaughter bouses in the district. Mepk.'AL OKrtCEii'rf UtToitT.—The Medical Officer reported that fifteen deaths had taken place in the district during the past fivo weeks, the majority being caused by diseases of the lungs. No CJUSO of infectious disease war' reported. A large number of eascN of in- fluenza had been under treatment lately. FINANCE AND MARKET COMMITTEE'S ItEPours. These report. were adopted. It was decided to allow a reduction in the charges mado upon the Empire Company for the uio of the Market Hall fur their entertainments. Printing CONTRACT.—On the proposition of Mr. Tong, it was decided that tho successful contractor for the printing of thy Board should also have the chance of supplying the stationery. Meiucat.Okviceuok HEALTH ANURATI-: Colllttob. --The Chairman gave notice to move the re election of the above for the ensuing year. ESTIMATES kor TUE SIX Months. -With regard to the estimates for tho next six mouth- it way decided that the Council form a committee to inspect the town and see what was required to lie done. Cun^EV FIKINI;.—A letter was read from Sergt. Hand asking the Council to take proceedings against Mr. Whitcomiic, of the Vulcan, for a wilful case of chimney firiug. I t was decided to instruct the sergeant to prosecute. Proeanitv IN THE STREETS.—The Chairman drew attention to the profanity heard in the streets, and thought they should take action (hear, hear). NOTICES OF MOTION —Mr. Bloor gave notico to consider the urinal question.—Mr. T. E. Bowen also gave notice to the effect that all labourers employed by the Board be paid trades union rate of wages, and that the lowest wage paid lie 3-. 4,.1. per day ah«i that a clause to this effect be inserted ill all contract let by the Coun' il.

I DISGRACEFUL CONDITION OF AISERDARE TRAINING j SCHOOL. I NEGLECT OF PAUPER CHILDREN. At the ordinary meeting of the Meethyr Board of Guardians, held on Saturday, Mr. D. P. Davien, J.P., in tho chair, a report from Mr. F. T. Bircham, the Local Government Board Inspector for Wales, bear- ing upon the condition of the Alierdare Training t Schools, was rwtd. It called attention tojhe need of repairing the floors of the dayroom, and the dampness of the girls' room to the need for better bathM and lavatories for the children, and better accommodation iu the sick ward, which the inspector described as being in a dirty condition, the medicine bottles being thrust into the drawers where the nurse kept her clothing. The inspector recommended certain stiuctural improvements, painting, and cleaning.— Tho committee of tho Training School reported having given consideration to the points raised by Mr. Bircham, and recommended that some, but not all. of his recommendations he carried out. Mr. R. H. Rhys thought there was a great deal in Mr. Bircham's report which ho thought quite unnecessary. Mr. Birolianvs opinion was of no greater value than the opinion of the committee, and 11 would mean a great ex ponse if all these improvements werw carried out.—Mr. Evan Lewis I agree with all that ha" be"n stated. The place is in a beastly state. 1 It is more like a colliery office than a place of habita- I tion (cries of "No, no").—Mr. Dan Thomas Yes, yes.—Mr. Thomas Thorns Don't t-alk nonsense.— Mr. Evan Lewis I know some colliery offices which are a lot cleaner than are the schools. I don't blame the master, for it is impossible for him to do the work. You can go and write your name with your fingers on the dust which is on tho wall. It is not a fit place for boys and girls who ate trained to become servants. The Workhouse is a king compared to the training school, aud tho poor children fare a great deal worse than the paupers in in the house. There is not so much painting wanted as cleaning, and I propose that we send women there to clean the place. There is no need for 11s to go to a j great expense to have the place cleaned. I should just lika for some of the guardians to go there, and they will find that the committee room we sit in is not fit for us to meet in it (" shame, shame ").—Mr. J. W. Morgan I have sat in it for eight years. —A. Voice: More shame to you for not having it cleaned, then.— Mr. Dan Thomas Mr. Lewis is saying what is the absolute truth.—Mr. R. H. Rhys: Certainly not.— 1 Mr. E. Lewis: The old guardians should assist us in getting the place cleaner than it is at the present time, and uot try to prevent us. I have every respect for the chaitman, but I think ho could give ns more help in this direction. I have told the master that I 1 i don't consider it a fit place for children to live in. > We must ha' e the place done up once and for a]!, and then insist upon the master keeping it clean.—Mr. I Dan Thomas I thoroughly endorse every word that • Mr. Lewis has said. The first opportunity we had of visiting the schools we pointed out to Mr. Bircham j 1 that it was going to be done. It has not been done > yet. The place it, a disgrace. Every room is full of 1 dust aud cob-webs, which have uot been swept good- t ness kuowa how long. We could not walk through the kitchen without knocking down } cobwebs. It was positively dirty I appeal to the ladies to endorse every word that has been said, and because the Aberdare Guardians have neglected their duty in the pwt they try to deny the truth of what • t we state. I reiterate the statement that the school is j a disgra-ce.—Mr. Thomas Thomas: Can he poiut to 1 one single report adverse to the school': If the new guardians are to have their way they would launch [ the ratepayers into an expense of a thousand pounds. 1 --Mr. L. Harris agreed with Mr. Dan Thomas, but [ pointed out that the children were too young to do hard work. The guardians ought to retain servants c there, for if the girls were fit to go to work outside, 1 certainly thev were fit to do work inside. He quite • agreed with the complaint? made, but who could they y blame';—Mr. R. H. Rhys I blame the officer.—Mrs. • M. Williams As a lady guardian I visited the place without notice, and wont round most of the rooms, s and I must agrea with all that these gentlemen have said. I do not know who is to blame, but I considered l the place was very dirty, the walls, ceiling, and floor- ? rug. It was a little paradise a few years ago.—Mr. I Rhys That proves that it is the officer's fault.—Mr. r D. Davi.es: But it is the guardians' fault that they dou't Fee that the officers do their duty.—Rev. Canon j Wade Somebody must be neglecting their duty. It 3 was only Jas". year the place was painted through, and I do net think the blame should be so much attributed » to the ccmmittee as to those who are in authority there, who ought to see that the place is perfectly t clean.—Mr. D. Davies: After the remarks to-day I i hope both the old and the new committees will try 3 and combine together to improve tho place (hear, hear). That will be better than finding fault. It is rather unfortunate that dirty linen should bo washed publicly like this.—Mr. Daa Thomas: Tha public are J used to it.—Mr. I). Davien There are seN era) recom- mendations made by Mr. Bircham. Hp recommends that Iwys from five to nine should not be allowed to 1 chop wood. This is a very dangerous thing.—Mr. > J. W. Morgan It is not the case.—Mr. Dan Thomas: I beg your pardon, it is tho case. What is 1 the good of your saying it is not true, when wo know that it is true':—Mr. D. Davies: Another th;ng :• j which is very objectionable is that the medicine • bottles should be at the disposal of little girls. | Nothing could bo more dangerous, and these bottles ) should be under lock and key. —Mr. Dan Thomas: I We have given orders to that effect.—Mr. D. Davies It was time they were. for who knows but that life ruicht be lost.—Mr. J. Lloyd asked if this school was equal to the public elementary schools of the district. r —Mr. Dan Thomas No, sir.—Mr. J. W. Morgan: > It certainly is equal to them.—Mr. Lloyd As re- [ cards cleanline«sr—Mr. J. W. Morgan The school- > room is.—Mr. Lloyd If it is not so is it not our duty • to see that the little children are placed 011 an equal 1 footing with moro fortunate children Mr. E. Lewis When we visited the place it was abominable. I cannot find a better wotd to convey my meaning. Mr. T. Harris There has been no water there^for about a fortnight.—Mr. -T. W. Morgau Most of the pipes have burst, otherwise the scrubbing would have been done if they had water on Wednesday last. Some allowance must be made 011 account of the weather.—Mr. R. iI. Rhys That does notappjv to tin) cobwebs.— Mrs. Maria Richards T don't want to blame the master or the matron.—Mr. Rhvs But you must blame them.—Mrs. Richards We "are not doing our duty to these little girls when we allow them tolive within dirty walls, and then send themout to people who perhaps are very "particular." Not having been used to cleanliness before thev go out, they naturally don't suit the people they go to, and are thrown back upon us, or j>erbaps to a worse fate, -The report of the committee was theu adopted.

j MEEJTfJYK ASSESSMENT COM MITTEE. Saturday Mr. R. H. Rhvs. J.P., iu the chair, A mml>or of appeals against assessments were heard, The first was that of Auu Thomas, of J'iymouth- i street, who appealed against the rating of her house gro.-s £ 11 16s., rateable £9 7s. 6d. The house was one of a row of similar house", some ot which she con- sidered better than her own. The assessment was confirmed.—William Jame^, Aberfan-road, appealed against tho assessment of his house aud shop, which was £ 25 gross and C21 4s. rateable. The appellant stated that when he entered the houso it had not been ) filially arranged what his rent would be, and lie told the assistant overseer that it would be £25, When he took the houso, however, on the 23th of July he was told that his rent would be JE20. The assessment was confirmed.—1>. Davies, Aberfan, whose house "had been rated at 1;31 gro-vs a.nd JB27 15s. rateable, stated that he only paid J626 6s. per annum, and his assessment was reduced to JB26 gross and £ 23 rate- able.—Albert Freeman, of the Rising Stili Inn, Troedrhiwfuwch, rated at 245 for the inn and a cottage, appealed. He said he paid J655 for the house and cottage, and that his house- was tied to the Rbymnev Brewery. Ho only drew about three barrels a fortnight.— Mr. R. II. Rhys: That mako £ 45. The assessment is confirmed.—Luke Rogers, the tenant of a quarry on the Kilsano3 Mountain, appealed against the excessive rating of his quarrv, for which ho paid £5 rent, and was rated at £10. In this ease a letter was read from Mr. Edward Lumley, the local agent of 3fr. (fwyn Hulford, stating that Mr. Rogers' rent for the first year would be JS5, to be afterwards raised, but not to exceed £10, Theappel- ) lant stated that a quarry adjoining his was only rated at £ 5 10s. The rate was tedueed to L5 10s.

ABERDARE^RaiOOL~I.JO.VKP. Friday Mr. D. P. Davits iu thd chair. —A letter was read from Mr. Edwards, inspector of schools, referring to the recommendation of the Government Board for provision to be made in case of a tire at any of the schools, and pointed out that all doors should lie made to open outwards, and in large schools there should be two exits. Postponed to next meeting.—The Cwmdare Choral Union were granted the use of the schools of that place for practice upon the usual terms, and also tho Blaengwawr Schools for a magic lantern entertainment.—Tho attendances fur the past fortnight showed that out of ?«,327 children upon the books 4,720 attended school. The I percentage at the various schools stood thus Aber- aman, 66 Aberuant, 05 Atnan, 73: Blaeugwawr, 72 Capcoch, 71 Park, 70 Peuywain, 82 Koberts- towji, 70 Town. 68 Higher Grade, 82.' 1 1

EBBW YALE COUNCIL. Thursday.—Present Messrs. J. S. Lyons (chair- man), Henry C'oul, A. Jones, T. If. Richards, R. II. Williams, T. Morgan, Evan Harries, R. Morgan, Mark Warnes, and W. Steadman. Seal.—Messrs. Waterlow's design for the seal was considered.—The design v. as adopted. — Mr. Richard Morgan remarked that he should have preferred sec- ing a design embodying a view of a blast furnace or something of that sort, to show that they lhed in a j mineral district.—Mr. A. Jones Or a pick-axe ? The Elections. — The Clerk rejxirtcd that the- District Council and Guardians elections had cast £ 103 6s. The District Council election expenses in tho various wards were as follows :—Beaufort Ward, JB20 17s. 10.2(1. North Central, £ 17 1<1. 10,1(1. South Central, £ 17 6s. lOid. South Ward, L17 17: 10d.— Mr. R. Morgan asked why there should be so much ex- pense in the Beaufort Ward.—The Clerk replied that there was no guardians election there only District Council.—Mr. Williams, referring to the elections, said that a good deal of feeling had been introduced j because some of the clerks had been brought from Newport there were clerks in Ebhw Vale who could do the work equally as well, if not better.—Mr. R. Morgan endorsed the remarks of Mr. Williams.—On tho recommendation of Mr. H.-irries, Mr. Ward's account for election expenses was deferred payment until the same had been gone through by a committee i of the whole Council. Medical Okkiceb'k REPOItT.Thü 1l1f:dieal officer'l:' report for January showed that tIming that month there had been 56 births and 32 deaths in the district. One case of typhoid fover over five years of age was notified both from Briery 11 ill and Church Town. Three deaths were investigated bv inquest, two of which were duo to accident (crush) and one to misad- | veuture (drowned). The officer had visited the pre- i mises in Cooper's-eourt, in which typhoid fever had recently occurred, and was informed that the family lodging there intended leaving as soou as thoy could get another house. The information as to over-crowd- ing had heen exaggerated. Annual IIepout. — Tin* Medical Officer submitted his annual report, which was considered Nltis, factory. Svrvkyok's ReI'OCT.—The Surveyor reported that tho rainfall recorded at the waterworks duriug the munth of January was four inches, which fill on 20 i days. The east iron mains had Ujen frozen in two) i places in the district, aud it was found that the frost had penetrated over two feet six inches into the grollml. During the month of January 24 applica- tions for interments in the cemetery were granted; 11 purchased burial rights in perpetuity. In com- pliance with instructions, the surveyor had obtained particulars and cost of Eraser's portable disinfecting apparatus. The sanitary auu workshop committee, after their inspection, rccomuieuded the selection of a si to at the south of West End-terrace as being most suitable for the erection of a corrugated irou work- | shop. Tue PnoposEt) School Boaud for Ebbw Vale. —The Clerk gave his report of the deputation's visit to the Education Department with reference to the proposed School Board for Ebbw Vale. The deputa- tion were received by Mr. Tucker, assistant-sccretary, before whom they put their statements aud figures, i Thoy had a loug interview, and it was stated that no cowbt a School Board would be provided for Ebbw Yale.

RIVERS AM) THEIR ACTIONS. INTERESTING FIGURES. At the usual meeting of the Aberdare School of Mining, on Saturday afternoon, Mr. Thomas Evans in the chair, Mr. George Roblin, an old scholar of Mr. E. T. Davies, the master of these schools, g: \o an interesting lecturc u|H>n "Riversand their Actions." The lecturer detailed the action of various rivers, and pointed out the Ystradfellta stream that had eaten j away a large crevice or tunnel in the rooks. One of the chief minerals in water was carbonate of lime, j The Thames carries past Kingston nineteen grains of mineral salts 111 every gallon, or 548*230 vtons every year iu solution. Two-thirds of this is carbonate of iliine. An authority says that water carries away in solution 8,370,630 toils, or equal to a layer of one foot of the who'e surface of England, in every 1,290 years. Thus it can hü imagined what astounding actions rivers have upon the formation of a country. As to mechanical at;tion of the rivers upon the hard rocks, we find that clear water does not denude the rocks, but the grit which wears away. Water running at a velocity of 3 inches per seccmd will just begiQ to work awl find play 6 inche?, will rise fine sand 8 inches, 1 will work upon sand as coarse as linseed 1'2 inches, will sweep along fiue gravel; 24 inches, will roll along pebbles one_ inch in diameter 06 inches, will roll stones the size of an egg. Blocks which require three horse power to move in air require only two in water, A glass of salt water placed in au equal quantity of! pure but turbid water causes the sediment to gather at tlte lJotlom, The vast amount of water which eir6 discharged annually from our rivers is enormous, The Mississipi discharged 19,500,000,000,000 cubic feet, and also 483,199,134 tons of solid matter, What the river has cleared away of the American soil since its issue may he partly judged. Rivers in some j places cariv out the sediment 200 miles into the sea, f he small stream at I'ontsarn, near Merthyr, has cut its way through limestone, and there are very large boulders at the bed of tho stream. There are three kinds of valleys formed by the river, and its action upon ths rockti over which they travel. These art, theLT, V, and Y shaped valleys. Referring to the ages of tho various river?, Mr. Roblin paid the river Taff is younger than the coal measures, but older than the anticlinal, and the auticlitial was of Trissi^ period,

ABERDARE COUNCIL. Friday Mr. R. H. Rhys, J.P., in the chair. THE I NEMPLoYCh. — A letter was read from the Local Government. Board asking the Council to endeavour to find employment (0" artisans and others who were idle in conseouence of the depressed weather. Thero should he a joint understanding between tho Council and the Guardians upon the matter.—The Chairman remarked that the distress in Aberdare was not so acute as in some districts con- sequen'ly it did not necessitate their considering the subject.—The High Constable had informed him that the families now upon the books were 135, with 271 children. They had paid away JE25 6s.—Mr. I). Wil- liams Since this thaw has set in the applications for relief have decreased considerably. Wo have sufficient money in hand to go on for another fortnight, and no doubt could hav e pleuty more if needed.—Mr. J. Howell: We have a relief fund at Abcraman too, which, of course, decreases the applications in the town here.— It was ultimately decided to acquaint tho Local Government Board that the distress at Aberdare did not demand taking any immediate steps, but the recommendations in the letter should b." borne in i mind. L.U'NDP.Y ATER.—The- Aberdare Laundry Com- pany wrote asking for a reduction in the price of water used by them. The clothes which they washed i were chirnyfrcn) the Abetdare district, and their cleaning at tho hiundry consequently decreased the | u*e of the water at private cottage* Their use per quarter averaged 284,000 gallon. Several of the members "poke of making this a precedent. If a reduction was made other public companies would j follow. It was. however, resolved that the clerk would ascertain the procedure in other towns respect- ing laundries. Insufficient Scrm.-Rev. T. Humphries eom- plained of the insufficient supply of water at Cwm- auian and other place?, ;nid the surveyor was j instructed to report at the next meeting what step would be advisable to remedy this. URINALS.—Mr..Llewellyn asked for a few sites for urinals :it Ilirwa,ii.-Tlic instructed to arrange a visit to that place, and that a few of the most prominent tradesmen should meet him there. ROAD TO Robertstown. —The Rev. B. Evans asked tho chairman about the road to Robertstown, which was reported in lar t week's Mr.rth.j'r Timet, and the charges made against Mr. R. H. Rhys.—The Chair- man explained that the late Dr. Rolwrtshad succeeded in organising clubs for building in Robertstown. Eventually the railway company gave liirn a contract i to make a bridge across the line for the f'Um of £200. So it was stated. But by some means that paper was lost, and we could not get at the actual facts of the case. Tho Local Board have lit up the place at an • enormous expense. As there roe only 100 houses in the place, we are paying away more money for gas than wo yet in rates from there. Mr. David Morgan at last built some villas over there, and pro- mjsed to get a road. Ho applied to the old lioard. We told hiiu we could not go to the expense, a? the whole expenditure amounted to between JB1,500 and £ 1,700; anyway, we promised them that if they at Robertstown would stibsusibe !>etween them the sum of .Sl.OOO, in addition to the £ 200 given to Mr. ltol>erts, the Board would consider the application, Seeing this state of thing-?, Mr. f)avid Morgan applied to the County Council, and the matter came to the TIoad" and Bridges Committee but wo could not do | anything with it. It was a lojal matter, and the urban district must decide the point. We cannot expect tho county of Glamorgan to lay out hundreds of pounds for a purely local affair, which was not cum a main road. The County Council will only connect main Ktrcetsv>r thoroughfares. This was a bye-street. Thus the matter stands nowhere now, as tho County Council have thrown it out, being a looal concern.

'NEGLECTED ABEKAMAN." THE ROAD QUESTION. At the Aberdare Council, on Friday, Mr. T. HowelIs moved that a road from Aberatnan to Cwm- bach was necessary. Altera man was a place that was much neglected and overlooked. It was a shame that all vehicular traffic at present had to go about two to three miles around, whereas if a road was made across the fields the distance would be only a, few 111e illy a ^hundred vards. There was a deal of trade done Ix'tween these two important districts, and twenty to thirty traps a day had to take that roundabout road, i —Mr. Thoma-j Ree. .seconded tho motion. The Chairman (Mr. K. H. Rhys, J.P.) remarked that this subject had Wen 'ictore the Local Board many times, but they could not soe their way clear j to make tho road. Tho distance was great, and several bridges would have to be made. The ostima- ted cost was £ 7,000 to £10,000, and ho was sure the ratepayers were not willing to spend that money upon the proposed connection. Before that would come to pass lie should move that Aberaman and Cwmbach be made separate districts from Aberdare then they could do as they bked about tbo street. They had done without it until now, and could do so again, as h > understood the Lletty Shenkin Colliery was worked now at a loss, and this could not con- tinue long. Therewerea number of houses idle Rt Cwuibach, and thing- were diminishing coasidcrablv there. Mr. n. P. Davies Whnt is the distance across where the new road is suggested The Surveyor i 750 yards from the bottom of Price-street to tho canal bridge.—Mr. D. P. Davies Then I think we shall require six bridges to span all.- Mr. Howells We can get permission from the Powell DufTtyn Company to go ov er a large portion of the ground. -Tho Chair- man No, T don't think you will have that. After further discussion Mr. Howells amended his motion as follows That tin# clerk write to the Taff and the Great "Western Railways, and also to land- owners, to see what jemt arrangement can be • arrived at. Several street improvements were sug- gested, but it waj decided to make a fund in the next j estimate for what is required. j _.—.

PLYMOUTH CRICKET CLUB. The annual geueral meeting of this club was held in the Batidroom, Peritrebach, on Wednesday, Mr. Rees Beynon, vice-captain, presiding, iu the absence of the president, Mr. T. H. Bailey, J.P.—Tho Hon. Secre- tary said he had to congratulate the club on the past season, and was pleased to say that the financial posi. tion of the club was good, having a sulwtantial balance in hand, together with a good stock of cricket materials to start the coming season witb. He was sure of the club's success if the young fellows would take Mr. Bailey's advice at the annual dinner and at- tend practice regularly. He was glad to say that the club held their own fairly well last aeasun, having won seven matches, lost seven, drawn two, and three wore abandoned owing to the wet season. The two closest and most exciting wiuning matches were played against Brecon and Cardiff Town 2nds, which were each won by one run. He hoped there would be many of the same kiud of matches this season, now that they had Mr. Tom Uardley, who has played for yie eouutv, back Igain (lieir, hear)—aud who would this year lie their professional (applause).—The elec- tion of president, vice-presidents, and officers for the coining season was uext proceeded with, when Mr. T. It. Bailey was unanimously re-elected president, and the vice-presidents, hon. secretary and treasurer. Mr. W. I. Clarke and Mr. Joseph Marriott, wero <&. elceted, and the post of captain was unanir^oqajy con- ferred upon Mr. A. B. Jones, and the ytcp-captai^, Mr. Einest N. Lewis, 1st X r. ) djG iir.d XI.—Capl Mr. T. P reece, and yicc uaptain, Sir, Mam Jones.— Votes qf thanks were unanimously passed to the president and vice-presidents for their kindne-is also to the hon. see., treasurer, aud officers.

A HOW AT DOWLAIS. At the Merthyr Police-court, on Monday, before Dr. Dyke and Mr. C. II. James.-Elizabeth Rees was summoned by Annie Evans, 17, George-street. Dowlais, for assaulting her. — Mr: W, Beddoe apjieared for the prosecution, FrOiin the evidence of complainant it appears that Rees on Saturday week last was drunk and threw a jug and a cup at Anuiq Evans. Both the jug and the cup broke on prose- cutrix's forehead, and caused a deep wound.—There was also a summons arising out of the last case in which Elizabeth Rees charged John Evans, 'the husband of the complainant in the last case, with assaulting her. Rees said that after she assaulted Mrs. Evan- the husband came in aud struck her in the eye.—Dav id Kces, son of the complainant, swore that John Evans struck Elizabeth Rees in tho eye with His fist and said, "Now your timo has coain." His mother- was very excited, and witness tried to keep her quiet.—Eliisabyth Recs was fined 20". aud cobts or 21 days imprisonment, and the case against John Evanswasdismis-ed. -+-

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