Merthyr Times and Dowlais Times and Aberdare Echo

PLYMOUTH ARBITRATION CASE. Mr. Bailey, the general manager of the Plymouth Collieries, met Mr. David Morgan, miner's agent, Aberdare, at the Cardiff Mining Institute on Thursday, with the view of mini- mising the disputes in connection with the late strike, before appearing before the arbitrator. They mutually agreed upon all the disputes that existed in the six-feet seam, but the greater disputes are still left unsettled, and the parties sent a joint letter to Mr. F. T. James, solicitor, Merthyr, asking him to prepare himself for the final issue.

MERTHYR CONSTITUTIONAL CLUB. A very interesting meeting between the Merthyr Constitutional Club and the Cardiff Conservative Working Men's Club, took place at Cardiff, on Thursday afternoon last. In billiards, Cardiff scored 867 points to 820, securing a majority of 47, but in cribbage, Merthyr scored nine games to seven. With their ten couples at whist, however, they only secured 43 points against 84, so that in two games out of three, Cardiff were victorious. At a smoking concert which followed, the Merthyr men fully sustained their reputation as vocalists, and before the close of the proceedings the toast of the visiting team was proposed by Councillor Hughes, seconded by Mr. Bridcut, and responded to by Mr. W. W. Meredith.

LIFE AT HEOLGERRIG. The Poultry Again! In the last issue of the Merthyr Timet, we reported the facts of an assault case at Heolgerrig, in which the geese and ganders were the indirect cause of the row. At Merthyr Police-court on Thursday last, a similar case was heard. The scene was, in this instance also, at Heolgerrig but the cause, this time, were a couple of cocks and not geese. Here are the facts, as stated in evidence. Thomas Abraham, a lad, was summoned for assaulting Adeline Lewis. Complainant said that the defendant struck her several times on the head, and on her ear, with his fist, causing it to bleed. It was all on account of two cecks. The cocks were fighting, and she "ont to stop them. She took one of the cocks with her towards home -Defendant denied complainant's version. He said that it was he who went to part the cocks, and complainant then struck him one on the face.— Rachel Lewis was called, and said that the oom- plainant did not "clout" the defendant, as he alleged.—For the defence, R. Jones, a lad, was called. He said that it was the complainant who wanted to put the cocks to fight. She also struck the defendant.—Joseph Lodge was also called. He said the complainant struck defendant with her hand and runned away with one of the cocks.— Case dismissed.

ALLEGED BURGLARY AT PENY- DARREN. A Serious Case. As briefly reported in the Merthyr Times of last week, Joseph Barrett and Thomas Cronin were charged at Aberdare Police-court, last week, with burglariously entering the New Inn, Penydarren, and stealing beer therefrom. Prisoners are two rough looking fellows.—Thomas Price, the land- lord of the inn, stated that about 12.30 on Sunday night, April 5th, he was in bed and heard some talking in the backyard. He got up and went to the window. He then heard some one say, Pull and push." He also heard two persons jump down from the wall into the backyard. He then saw them light a match, and directly after heard a voice say, It's all right." His wife and himself went downstairs into the cellar with a candle and match, but the candle was not lit. Whilst in the cellar his wife struck a match, and they saw the two prisoners inside the door. Cronin ran away through the door, which was open, and went up a ladder over the wall. His wife called to him and said, All right, Tom, I have caught you at last." The other man went towards the door, and asked them to forgive him, but he was detained until the policeman came. From five to ten gallons of beer had been taken from one of the casks in the cellar that evening, the house having been left without any one in it from 6 to 9.30 p.m. When they came home they found that someone had been in the cellar. He had seen the prisoners, who were back and fore in the house. When they went to bed the cellar door was fastened. There was a window in the cellar, which was covered with an old sack. After they caught the prisoners they found that the sack was on the floor, and the door of the cellar was open.-Margaret Price, wife of the prosecutor, gave corroborative evidence. — P. 8 Jones stated that he arrested the prisoner Barrett at 2 o'clock on Monday morning, being detained by prosecutor. He was in his stockings, with no boots on. He took him to the Merthyr Police- station, and about a quarter to four the same morn- ing he also arrested Cronin and took him to the station. He charged them, jointly, with bur- flariously breaking and entering the cellar of the Tew Inn, Penydarren, and stealing from a cask about five gallons of beer value 10s. Barrett said, I did not steal any beer from there." Cronin said, I was not there at all. I don't know any- thing about it." That morning on the road from Abernant Station, Barrett said, We are going to Elead guilty, sergeant." Cronin said, "Howmuch as he got down against us ? Witness replied 10s. worth." Cronin said, 0, Christ, we only took about eight quarts altogether."—Prisoners, who had no question to ask, and nothing to say in defence, were committed for trial at the next assizes.

MR. E. W. SHACKELL. Music for March contains a portrait and sketch of Mr. E. W. ShackelJ, of the well-known firm of Messrs. Thompson and Sliackell. We quote the following Born, we believe, at Carmarthen, Mr. Shackell was educated at Sir Thomas Powell's Endowed School in that town, and intended for the ministry. His father was editor of the Welsh- man, his grandfather was the proprietor of John Btdl, and had for editor,that idiocratic humourist, Theodore Hook. Inheriting the journalistic instinct, the subject of our sketch early abandoned the career marked out for him and embraced that of his progenitors. But after practising success- fully for some few months as a pressman, he bade farewell to the craft and entered upon Business affairs. Mr. Thompson, with whom he became associated on his father's death, joined him in starting a music business in Carmarthen, and this comparatively small concern in course of time expanded into the immense business known to-day as that of Thompson, Shackell and Co., Limited. After the partnership was entered into branch houses were successively opened in Swansea, Car- diff, Gloucester, Merthyr, Pontypridd, Newport, and more recently in Llanelly. Messrs. Thompson and Shackell may legitimately be styled the pioneers of musical business in Wales, and their success from the outset has been phenomenal. In 1886, after the business had been conducted with the utmost prosperity for 21 years, Mr. Thompson retired, and a limited company was formed with Mr. Shackell as managing director, and Sir Morgan Morgan at its head. During the past decade the operations of the company have con- stantly increased and an average dividend of about 7 per cent, has been paid ever since the formation. The immediate profits might l>e even larger but for the fact that the vast business is conducted upon the principle of maintaining a lasting connection with its ever-widening circle of clients. It may interest our readers to learn that the total sales of pianos and organs since the formation of the com- pany amount to no less than a quarter of a million ?junds, or an average of £ 25,000 per annum. here can be no doubt that the extraordinary development of the company's business is due in a very great measure to the experience, the resource and ceaseless activity of its managing director, whose plan is to appoint a responsible agent in every district and to see that the quality of the articles supplied is such as to give permanent satisfaction to the purcl aser. Mr. Shackell was appointed chairman of the First Cardiff Triennial Musical Festival in 1892. In 1893 Mr. Shackell became a magistrate, and he has held the office of Chairman of the Cardiff Free Libraries for some years. When he left the Corporation last November, the com- mittee paid him the very handsome compliment of re-electing him, although the office had never before been conferred on anyone who was net a member of the County Council.

THE SOUDAN EXPEDITION. TUB CAISSE QUESTION,—'DERVISH ACTIVITY, A counterblast to the French protest has been wounded by a number of other bondholders owning nearly a million of stock, who declare the decision of the Government to be legal, plead against the paralysing of the Caisse by the action of a single Commissioner, and add that the French demand ia Ontfarv to the interests of the bondholders generally. The case which was to have come on to- morrow will accordingly be postponed for fuller argument, the objection of the French bondholders being contested in due legal form. The Dervishes are still very active in the neighbourhood of Suakin, the defences of which are, however, considered to be impregnable. Osman Digna has again attacked a party,of fnendliee, but he was driven back with pome

EARLY CLOSING AT MERTHYR. I Mr. Rees, the secretary of the Merthyr Branch of the Shop Assistants' Union, has in company with other officials of the union, waited upon the outfitters and drapers of Merthyr, and they have agreed to close during the summer months at 7 o'clock on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, as in the past winter months.

KILLED AT CYFARTHFA. On Thursday David Kees, a fireman at No. 2, Penrheolgerrig, received severe injuries whilst following his work at Cyfarthfa. He was removed to the Merthyr Hospital, where Dr. Ward ampu- tated one of his legs. The poor fellow, however, succumhed to his injuries at four o'clock on the afternoon of the same day. IThe deceased was only 19 years of age. An inquest was held, and the usual verdict returned.

MERTHYR VOLUNTEERS. The first shoot in connection with the jewels of the Glamorganshire Rifle Club, took place on Saturday. The weather throughout was good, the conditions being the same as the first stage in the Queen's, 1896. A Swansea shot heads the list with 97 points, and a Merthyr shot, Private T. Powell, comes second with 96 points. The scores of other local volunteers are as follows:—Sergeant John Thomas, Dowlais, 90; Private H. Chamberlain, Merthyr, 88 Sergeant J. Jeremiah, Dowlais, 87 Private Samion, Merthyr, 81.

A ROW AT DOWLAIS. James Toomey, a lad, was summoned at Merthyr Police-court on Thursday for assaulting Timothy Sullivan.—Complainant, whose head was bandaged up, said that he did not remember how he got his wounds, but he knew he got them on Saturday.— Ellen Donoghue, a little girl 0: 14, who sported a gorgeous red shawl, said that the defendant pushed complainant against a wall.—Defendant said that the man was drunk, and he had to put him out of his (defendant's) grandfather's lodging-house in Picton-street. The complainant fell to the ground. -Case dismissed.

"JACK ASHORE" AT MERTHYR. Frank Davies, a well-built young fellow, joined one of Her Majesty's warships and sailed the stormy main." One day, however, when the ship was at port, Frank took it into his head to desert. He was found in High-street, Merthyr, by P.C. 353, who promptly took him to the police-station, and Frank was brought up before the magistrates at Merthyr on Thursday. Where is* your ship now ?" asked the clerk. Don't know, sir," replied Frank. The magistrates ordered him to be escor- ted back to Devonport.

ALLEGED WOUNDING AT MERTHYR. At Merthyr Police-court on Monday, Johanna Donovan charged John Donovan with wounding her at the Cellary, Merthyr.—Mr. J. T. Vaughan appeared for the defendant.—Complainant, whose head was tied with a bandage, said the prisoner struck her on the head with a poker, and she fell down senseless.- Cross-examined She was not drunk. She had been drinking, but had only had two half-pints.—A daughter of the complainant corroborated. Her motTier was quite sober.—A lad and a girl were also called, and corroborated the previous witnesses.—Dr. Rees gave evidence as to complainant's injuries.P.C. 191 also gave evi- dence. He saw the complainant by the fire in her house with a man holding her head up. She said that she had been struck with a poker by the prisoner. She appeared to be quite sober.-For the defence, Alice Winstone waa called. She said that the complainant was the worse for drink, and fell down against the stones. Witness was present most of the time, but she did not see the defendant strike the complainant with a poker.-Bridget Donovan also gave evidence.—Prisoner was com- mitted to take his trial at the Quarter Sessions.

MERTHYR SCHOOL BOARD. Friday. Present: Messrs. W. L. Daniel (in the chair), D. Davies, Joseph Owen, Henry Davies, Rev. R. S. Williams, Arthur Daniel, V. A. Wills, W. M. Evans, Father Pippctt, H. E. Gray, and E. Stephens (clerk). AUTHORS' FEES.—Mr. D. Davies gave notice that he would move, at the next meeting, that the special grant of £ o voted to the four teachers who had compiled the Welsh text-book be confirmed. —A letter was read from the teachers thanking the Board for their generosity.—Mr. Wills said that the Merthyr Timet had stated that only three teachers, and not four, had done the work in con- nection with the text-book, and he wished to know whether that statement was correct. -The Chair- man Four teachers had signed this letter, namely, Mr. Lloyd, Mr. David, Mr. Jones, and Mr. Walters. Everything you see in print, Mr. Wills, is not necessarily correct.—Mr. Wills But I believe this information in the Merthyr Times is correct, and I should like to have it confirmed officially, or controverted.—Chairman I do not see how we are to go beyond this letter.—The subject dropped. RESIGNATIONS.—Letters resigning their positions under the Board were received for Miss Jones, Pen- garnddu, and Miss Williams, Merthyr Vale. LATE HOURS.—The secretary of the Assistant Teachers' Association applied for the use of the Caedraw School to hold a meeting, to be followed by a tea and social, on Saturday next.—Mr. D. Davies asked what the social meant, and at what hour of the evening would it terminate. He proposed that the closing hour be nine o'clock, in order that the cleaner might be able to put the place in a condition for the Sunday.-The Rev. R. S. Williams seconded.—Mr. Joseph Owen proposed, as an amendment, that the hour be ten o'clock.— This was seomded by Mr. Wills, and carried. It was also passed that the association be instructed to give the sum of half-a-crown to the cleaner for the extra work. COOKERY. — Mr. Henry Davies moved that cookery be taught in the girls' schools of the Board. This subject, he said, was taught in most of the schools of the district, including those of Aberdare, Cardiff, Rhondda, &c. There the classes were very successful, and entailed no 1088. The expense was only small, and the benefits were very considerable. For example, they could establish four centres the initiatory expense of each centre would be about jElo, or a total of f60. Two teachers could be obtained at a salary of £70 a year each. They could teach 896 girls, each of whom could earn a grant of 4s.. or a total of jE179 4s. This would leave a margin of JE40 towards the expenses, and there would also be a certain amount of profits from food sold.—Mr. Arthur Daniel seconded the motion. He considered the teaching of cookery as very important for the working classes. There was a great deal of waste owing to ignorance, and lessons in the elements of cooking would answer a very good purpose.—Mr. H. E. Gray was in sym- pathy with the resolution, but questioned the accuracy of Mr. Davies' ngures. The outlay would _N be £200, not £ 140.—Mr. D. Davies explained that the initiatory item of JB60 was not an annual expense, and, therefore, had not been included. His idea was that one or two centres should be tried first, and then they could develop the scheme. —Mr. W. M. Evans agreed that this step was a right and proper one. The cookery classes under the County Council were very successful, but school children were excluded from them.-After further discussion the resolution was passed, and the matter referred to the School Management Committee. SUMMER HonoAYS.—These were fixed in accor- dance with the wishes of the majority of the teachers, to take place in the last fortnight of July and the first fortnight of August. PRECEPTS.—The Clerk:said the following pre- cepts would be required for the expenditure of the Board:—1896, June 20, £ 2,000; August 20, £ 2,000; October 20, £2,000; November 20, £ 2,000 December 20, JE2,000 January 20, 1897, £ 1,000 total, £ 11,000.—It was decided to attach the seal of the Board to these issues.

A FATAL DUEL The tmgic death of Baron von Schrader, who ex- pired at Potsdam at a quarter past nine on Saturday night in conrequence of the wound he received on Friday in a duel with Herr Von Kotze, intensifies the horror felt m wide circles at the squalid morality which renders such tragedies inevitable in the present const iIution of German society. Only one class in the community rejoices at the object lesson CONTEVED by events of this nature. The Socialist LEADI know that they bring grist to their mill, and the Socialist Vor- ttaerts has addressed the following remarks to hundreds of thousands of working-class electors: What revolts us is not so much the rebellion of the individual duellist against the law. Every class sins in this respect after its own fashion. It is rather the double injustice shown first in the mildness of the laws relating to duelling in their application to a crime of the privileged classes, and secondly the lax execution of these laws out of consideration for these classes, and it is sufficient in this connection to contrast the heavy penalties of imprisonment go frequently imposed on members of the Pro- letariat, even in trifling cam of acts arising from outbreaks of momentary passion, with the harmless punishment of I fortress arrest' for duellists. It is well known that even those mild sentences are fre- quently quashed in Germany by way of clemency. For a member of the Proletariat ho has to struggle bard to get enough for his wife fond child to eat there is the sharpest application bf the law. The duellist who impudently defies the law and tramples religion and morality under foot becomes for certain circlet the lion of the day, and the Law, so implacablf towards others, looks upon him with the greatest indulgence."

In washing, MATCHLESS CLEANSER is a perfect Treasure it eaves mu ;h work and time, to use it is a pleasure

OPENING OF A NEW ORGAN AT CEFN. u Special services were held at St. John's Church, Cefn, on Thursday and Friday even- ings, and were of a varied and interesting des- cription. It may not be generally known that a very fine organ has been built lately in the above church, which is not only an ornament to the edifice, but adds very much to the beauty of the services. Advantage was also taken of the occasion to dedicate the fine window which has been placed in the church by the widow and family of the late Mr. T. J. Jones, brother of Mr. J. J. Jones, solicitor. The window repre- sents the Resurrection," and is a splendid piece of workmanship. At the same time a lectern, presented by the family of the late Mr? William Jones, J.P., Cyfarthfa, and is in memory of William and Louisa Jones," was dedicated by the Rural Dean, the Rev. J. J. Evans, M.A., Cantreff. The lectern takes the form of a large eagle, splendidly executed, and adding greatly to the attraction of the church. The organ, the window, and the lectern were objects of much admiration by the visitors to the church during last week. The services on Thursday evening commenced at 7 o'clock. The lessons were read by the Rev. W. Lloyd, curate, and the Rev. J. E. Jenkins, rector of Vaynor, and after a finj rendering by the choir of the anthem Christ is Risen," the sermon was preached by the Rector of Cantreff. Mr. Evans took as his text Rev. xiv, 2-3, and his sermon. was a noble vindication of music as an impor- tant element in religious services. His remarks were attentively listened to by an over-crowded congregation. After the sermon an organ recital was given by Mr. A. J. Silver, of Mer- thyr, who also presided at the organ during the service, and the whole performance was a real treat from beginning to end. The services were continued in Welsh on Friday evening, when the Rev. J. Williams, vicar of Llansamlet, preached. We understand that next Friday evening an organ recital will be given by Mr. Westlake Morgan, of Bangor Cathedral, but late of St. David's, Merthyr.

ILLEGAL HOURS AT MERTHYR. At Merthyr Police-court, on Monday, Richard Everson, landlord of the General Picton, Merthyr, was summoned for having kept his house open during illegal hours.—Mr. Beddoe defended.- P.C. Phillips said that at a quarter past three o'clock on Tuesday morning, April 7th, he saw two persons come down Wellington-street, and enter the General Picton. He remained outside the house several minutes. The front door was open, and he saw a man come out carrying a jar under his arm. He got on the pavement, and when he saw witness he ran back into the house and placed the jar down in the passage. Witness followed him and picked the jar up. He told the man that he had seen him leaving the house with the jar, and he asked him who had serve 4 him he denied that he had the jar. Witness saw the niece of the land- lord, who said that she was in charge of the house, the landlord and landlady being ill in bed. Witness asked the niece why she kept the house open at that time, and she replied that she had not served anybody. He told her that he should report the case, and she made no reply. The jar contained beer. -Cross examined He knew the jar contained the beer as he tasted it in the kitchen.—The defen- dant said that on the night previous to the date in question, there was a leakage in the bar he put a tin can there to catch the droppings, which he ulti- mately emptied into the jar. It was his intention to place the jar in the bar, but he placed it in the kitchen as his attention was drawn to his sick child. No one had instructions to remove the jar. He closed the door of the public-house at 11 o'clock on the Monday night. He was in the habit of taking the key with him to his bedroom, so that nobody could enter the house after he closed up the place. —Cross examined He was sure that the contents of the jar were entirely the droppings from the leakage. It was a good-sized jar. He had not been to a dance that night.—Richard Rogers, brother-in-law of the defendant, said that he went down to the public-house at five minutes to 11, after being at the theatre. He saw the jar at the publie house. He put it in a place of safety, but he had no intention of removing the jar from the house. He had nothing intoxicating to drink whilst at the public-house.—Edith Alderson said that she accompanied Richard Rogers from the theatre. They went to the General Picton a few minutes to 11 o'clock. They had supper there, but no intoxicants.—John Evans said that he went to the public-house at a quarter to eleven o'clock on Monday night, and stayed there all night. He was a relation of the landlord. He saw the policeman come in the policeman asked him about a jar of beer. Witness had seen the jar removed by Rogers, but it was not taken out of the house at all.—The Stipendiary said that the case was proved, and fined the defendant £2 10s. and costs.

EASTER VESTRY AT MERTHYR. The Easter vestry for the Parish Church of Mer- thyr was held on Thursday morning at the Vestry Hall, the Rev. Daniel Lewis, rector, presidiug.- The Rector said the restoration of the Parish Church was going on as fast as could reasonably be expected. The restoration of the tower had caused some anxiety. There were three alternatives put forward by the architect. The first was to pull down the tower altogether and re-build it, the second was to take down three-fourths of it, and the third was to tie it with steel rods and iron bands. The committee considered the matter most carefully, and after several consultations with Sir William Thomas Lewis, who took the liveliest interest in the restoration, they came to the con- clusion to carry out the second suggestion. They had every reason to believe that when completed it would be a strong and substantial tower for ages to come, and would be quite firm enough to hold the excellent peal of bells which were to be put in. —Mr. David Williams, of the Taff Vale Brewery, was again nominated as incumbent's warden by the rector.-Upon the motion of Mr. William Rees (Parliament Lock), seconded by Mr. David Abraham, Mr. T. W. Lewis (Abercanaid House) was re-elected parishioners' warden.—Mr. John Richards and Mr. Roger Vaughan were appointed rector's sidesmen, and Colonel Lewis and Mr. William Griffiths, Pencaemawr, were chosen sides- men on behalf of the parishioners.—Mr. William Meredith called attention to the fact that part of the boundary wall of the Thomastown Cemetery had fallen down, and he also pointed out that many of the graves were in a sadly neglected con- dition.-The Rector promised that the wall should be seen to, but, as to the graves, he explained that the duty of keeping them in proper order primarily rested with the relatives of the dead. He added that he should like to see the Thomastown Ceme- tery extended, because, in the interests of the poor, he had often thought that it would be a very great save in money to them to have a burial-place some- where nearer than Cefn. With regard to the wall of the parish churchyard, the churchwardens and himself had felt that they could not possibly con- sent to the proposal made by the surveyor to the District Council to cut into the churchyard 12ft. to widen and straighten the road, because it would involve the disturbance of so many remains; but they had intimated their willingness to have the wall lowered to the level of the churchyard, and to have railings on top, provided the work were done within the period of the restoration, and under the supervision of the architect. They were also pre. pared to give the width of the wall, so as to relieve the sharpness of the bend opposite the Star Inn. All these thing, said the rector, cost money, and, acting upon a suggestion which he threw out, the vestry agreed, upon the proposition of Mr. William Meredith, seconded by Mr. W. Temby, to a volun- tary church rate of 6d. in the £ being made for the ensuing year.

TEETOTAL LICENSING MAGISTRATES. The Lord Chief Justice has directed that a Court, consisting of himself and Mr. Justice Grantham, .hall be constituted. It will proceed to the bearing of the case of Bird v. tho Licensing Justices of Sheffield, which, to publicans and the liquor trade generally, will nlmost rival in importance the cele- brated decision in Shnrpo f. Wakelield, where it was held that there was no vested interest in publicans' licences. In the present case the point for the decision of the judges is whether magistrates having a pecuniary interest in teetotal enterprises are in the same legal potion nsdiose concerned in the liquor trade, and are therefore debarred from sitting as licensing justices by the existing law. The question arises out of the refusal of the local licensing magis- trates to grant a beer and wine licence to a restaurant a*/Sheffield, son-e of the justices being shareholders in a rival temperance hotel. Last November Mr Edmondson, os counsel for the restaurant keeper,, obtained leare to argue the question before a special Court for Crown cases. He, led by Mr. Macmorran, Q.C., will contend that the order refusing the license was bad in law, and ought to be quashed, on the ground that the financial interest of these gentlemen in a rival teetotal business was such as "to create a reasonable apprehension of bias in their minds." The magistrates have filed affidavit8 raising novel a.nr important questions of licensing law, which will be Mad on the bearing. g

THE EDUCATION BILL. The Education Bill was mentioned by Lord Cross in a speech he made on Saturdav at Carlisle. He laid it was an honest attempt to promote education generally, not to benefit any one class. The Bishop of Carlisle, who followed, spoke in praise of the measure generally, though he imagined that many changes would have to be introduced into it. The Association of Assistant Masters in Secondary Schools declined on Saturday to appro*the general principles of the bill, postponing their decision until they could con- sider it more fully. A meeting held in Lambeth denounced the measure as reactionary, unjust, and undemocratic.

SERIOUS CHARGE AGAINST A TROEDYRHIW MAN. At Merthyr Police-court on Monday, Evan Scott, High-street, Troedyrhiw, charged a. man named John Jones with breaking his leg.—Mr. V. Simons appeared for the .complainant.—Com- plainant said that whilst ne was going to his house he was set upon by the prisoner who was lying in wait for him. The prisoner caught hold of him by the neck and kicked him. Witness fell down and he broke his leg, as a result of the pri- soner's attack. Witness shouted^that his leg was broken, and his wife and another man came on and got him up. In consequence of the injuries he received, he had been laid up, and was likely to be laid up for some time again. The prisoner had previously threatened him several times. The prisoner alleged that he (witness) had been "carrying tales" about him to Mr. Gray.—Dr. E. H. Marsh, Troedyrhiw, said that he saw Scott immediately after the assault. He examined him and found that his leg was broken. The injuries received were such as might have been caused in consequence of a fall.-P.C. 402, Troedyrhiw, said that he arrested the prisoner and charged him with the assault upon Scott. He replied that whilst he was walking up the street Scott came up to him and caught hold of him by the neck. They had a scuffle and they fell to the ground. He (prisoner) might have kicked the complainant, as he did not know what he did in the scuffle. -Prisoner, who had nothing to say," was committed to take his trial at the quarter sessions, bail being allowed.

MERTHYR THEATRE ROYAL. The boards at this popular place of amuse- ment are occupied this week by Miss Ida Millais'Company with the drama, "No Man's Land." The drama is full of startling incidents and romantic situations. It is the usual story of love and revenge. Mr. James Willard, as Gilbert Bathurst, plays his role well, whilst Mr. Jack Wilcox, as Harry Oaklands, conducts him- self like the true British hero all through the piece. Miss Ida Millais, as Mary Bathurst, the heroine of the piece, is an actress of consider- able ability, and Mr. Harry Day, as Captain Bathurst of the Enterprise," is a typical tar. All the other characters are, also, well sus- tained. The scenic effects are very pretty. In the second act there is an effective situation— deck of the treasureship Enterprise," which is subsequently changed to the Island, or No Man's Land." In the latter scene a tropical storm is illustrated by real rain, &c. Needless to state the effect was somewhat startling. But, undoubtedly, the most effective scene of all is the old weir at Chewton in the last act: Forty tons of water are used, and Miss Ida Millais introduces her great dive into the water and "saves a woman from drowning." Great applause is accorded this performance. Next week, Shadows of a Great City will be staged by a company of great ability.

MARRIAGE OF THE HON. MISS ELIZABETH FOX BRUCE. On Thursday afternoon, at the church of St. Peter's Cranley Gardens, South Kensington, S.W., the marriage took place of Mr. Percy Ewing Matheson, tutor and dean of New College, Oxford, and senior Proctor of the University, son of the late Rev. James Matheson, M.A., of Nottingham, and the Hon. Elizabeth Fox Bruce, sixth daughter of the late Lord Aberdare (Henry Austin Bruce, P.C., G.C.B., D.C.L.«first baron), who, before his elevation to the title, sat as Liberal M. P. for Merthyr Tydfil from 1852 to 1868, and Renfrewshire 1869 to 1873, and was Seeretary of State for the Home Department 1868-73, of Duffryn, Mountain Ash, Glamorganshire, and Dowager Lady Aberdare, of 27, Cranley Gardens, S. W. The church was handsomely decorated with palms and white flowers, and the service was fully choral. The ceremony was conducted by the Venerable W. C. Bruce, M.A., Archdeacon of Monmouth (cousin of the bride), assisted by the Rev. W. A. Spooner, M.A., ot New College, Oxford, and the Rev. F. W. D. Small, M.A., of St. Peter's, Cranley Gardens. The bride was given away by her brother, Lord Aberdare. There were six bridesmaids who were picturesquely gowned in white spotted Bengaline with pleated yokes, and lace collarettes, and sashes of primrose satin. The bride looked exceedingly handsome in a gown of ivory satin with fine old Brussels lace and orange blossoms. A large number of costly presents were received..

SOUTH WALES AND MONMOUTH- SHIRE TRUANT SCHOOL. The following report from Dr. W. W. Jones, Merthyr, the medical officer of the above school, was read to the committee at their ordinary meet- ing on March 26th, and the secretary was instructed to send copies of same to each of the Associated Board. Site and Buildings—The walls of the buildings are now quite dry, and the system of warming and ventilation is efficiently maintained. Drainage— The completion during the year of the connection of the school drains with the new main sewer, and the proposed immediate substitution of water- closets for the dirty and inefficient bucket system, will place your school in possession of as perfect a system of sewage disposal as modern science can suggest. Inmates—During the year 205 boys passed through the school, as compared with 198 during the previous year. The average age on admission was 104 years, rather lower than in the previous year. The boys continue to show the great improvement during their residence in the school to which I directed your attention lost year. Many of them present, on admission, evidence of long continued and extreme neglect. As an exam- ple, I would instance the case of a boy from the Aberdare District, although nine years of age, his weight on admision in his clothes was only 581bs.; his appearance was wretched in the extreme he ate ravenously, but rejected the ordinary diet; he was placed on a special diet, with the result that in less than three months he gained about a stone in weight, and on his release from the school he presented a bright, healthy appearance. Clothing is of a suitable kind. I would, however, suggest the substitution of flannel scarves for the woollen ones now in use, which are in many ways unsuit- able. Food—The dietary has not been altered during the year, and it is sufficient and of good quality. Health-I am again in a position to con- gratulate the committee upon the absolute freedom of the school from all serious illness. We have had nothing but the ordinary trivial ailments of childhood to deal with, and there has been no con- tagious or infectious disease. This is very gratify- ing, and a perusal of the Blue Book on Truant Schools satisfies me that it is not equalled by any other school in the country, and is certainly evi- dence of the care and attention given to the boys by the matron and superintendent."

THE WHITECHAPEL TRAGEDY. Mr. Sims, from the Solicitors' Department of the Treasury, is conducting the prosecution against Seaman, and, in order that the facts may be put fully and clearly before the Court, an elabo- rate plan of the house in which the murden occurred has been prepared. This has been care- fully drawn to scale, and from this it appears that the exact distance the accused man either jumped or fell was 32ft. The marks in the several rooms are distinctly shown, as are other signs likely to Lave a bearing on the case. In conse- quence of statements made by Seaman as to having been present when a constable was shot at New- ington a few years since, inquiries are being made by the police with a view of ascertaining whether he was speaking the truth, or merely boasting. Owing to the rumour that the prisoner would have been charged at Arbour-square on Friday of last week a large number of persons loitered about the police-court, in the hope of getting a view of the man while on his way from the London Hospital. The funeral of Mrs. Annie Sarah Gale took place on Saturday at the Ilford Cemetery. A great crowd watched the start of the procession.

A FAMOUS GREEK STATESMAN. M. Tricoupis, the celebrated Greek statesman, died at Cannes on Saturday. M. Charilaos Tricoupis was born at Nauplia in 1832, and after being educated in Paris and studying law at Athens, entered the Diplomatic Service in his 21st year as Attache to the Greek Legation in London. He was appointed Secretary of the Legation in 1855, and Charge d'Affaires in 1863. Two years later, after sitting in the National Assembly and becoming Deputy for Missolonghi, he was entrusted with the negotiations connected with the cession of the Ionian Islands to Greece. In December, 1866, he entered the Cabinet as Minister of Foreign Affairs, and held the same portfolio in many subsequent Ministries. The history of Greece during the past 15 years has been chiefly marked by the alternating political supremacy of M. Tricoupis and his great rivals, MM. Ccamoundourcs and Delyannis. In 1886, when war between Greece and Turkey appeared imminent and an international demonstration was made in Greek waters, M. Tricoupis assumed office with the mandate to solve, by diplomatic means, the difficulties which threatened to lead to active hostili- ties. He remained at the head of the Government for four years, notwithstanding the untiring opposi- tion of his political opponents. He was defeated at the General Elections in the autumn of 1890, and was succeeded by M. Delyannis, who, how- ever, only remained in office until March, 1892, when the grave domestic crisis occurred, and the Premier was declared in opposition to his Sovereign. M. Tricoupis consequently formed a Cabinet, in which he held the portfolio of Finance instead of that of Foreign Affairs as hitherto. He did all that lay in his power to relieTe the critical position of the Greek finances. The measures put forward by him to this end included bills for addit onal taxation of foodstuffs, and as he failed to secure their adoption by the Chamber he tendered his resignation, and was succeeded by M. T. Delyannis. M. Tricoupis was Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour.

SCIENCE NOTES. A PROFESSIONAL man in New London, Connecticut -ias invented an apparatus to convey light undei water—a submarine illuminator. Electric rays, with this idea, can be made to light up the submarine recesses to any depth necessary for practical pur- poses. The idea has been tesied on a small scale, and worked well before some electricians in town. Tn. Prussian Academy of Sciences has issued an appeal to the public, and especially to learned societies, for unpublished MSS. of Emanuel Kant, and a description of the sort of manuscripts wanted is appended to the appeal. They are sought for in order to make the projected critical edition of the philosopher's works as complete as possible. PROFESSOR JOliN Mn.NR, the expert in the science of earthquakes, has now settled down in England, after 20 years' residence in Japan. He is a big, robust man, with a magnificently shaped head, and naturally is an enthusiast concerning seismology. Even in his new home in the Isle of Wight he has built an observatory, where he can study the unfelt movements of the earth. When in Japan he married a native dy, whose charming distinctively Japanese face attracts great notice wherever she goes. AT the last meeting of the Paris Academy of Sciences Professor Moiesan described a combination of boric acid and carbonised sugar which forms a new stone quite superior to the diamond in hardness. It cuts diamond without difficulty, and can be made in any size or shape. The combination of carbon with borium occurs when the mixture of boric acid and carbonised sugar is heated in electric furnaces to a temperature of about 3000deg. The new stone will be of considerable importance where hitherto the ex- pensive black diamond has been used. SKOTOGRAPII and skiagraph are two new terms by which pictures taken with the Rontgen rays are now designated. M. Dagtierre, the first. practical photo- grapher, was identified with his discovery in the daguerreotype but no one seems to hare thought that a derivative formed from Rontgen's name would be a fit appellation for his discovery. WITII a camera made of the very unusual material, lead, enclosing a dry pl.ite, and perforated by a single pinhole, which is tnade to keep out. light by a cover of a thin sheet of aluminium, a photograph of a Crookes' tube emitting X rays has been taken. they are found to come almost entirely from the cathode terminal. PICTURES of the arteries have now been taken with X rays photography by Dr. Uberto Dutto, an Italian scientist. The method adopted is to empty the blood-vessels, and then inject into them a thin solu- tion containing lime. This fluid is impenetrable by X rays, and shows dist,inctly the small as well as the large arteries. The subjects of these experiments are, of course, not living persons. AMONG the numerous developments in Rontgen photography is the successful exhibition of the motions of the skeleton during life. A screen, coated with fluorescent paint, is set up in a dark room, and radiance from a Crookes' tube is allowed to illuminate it with the gradation produced when a person's hand or foot, with its variable penetrability, is interposed between tube and screen. It is in- tended to perfect the apparatus sufficiently to get a projection through a bird whilst in the act of flying. This presupposes that the fluorescence comes and goes with a rapidity sufficient to make clear the positions at different moments when the wings are vibrating. It is also suggested that photographs may be taken in the ordinary way from tne luminous screen, using a camera, lens, and dry plate just as in daylight photography. FROM a series of experiments with copper-zinc alloys, containing the two metals in varied propor- tions in different test pieces, M. Charpy concludes that stiffness increases as the allowance of zinc is incrensed, but that the strongest alloy contains 451b. of zinc and 55ib. of copper. Toughness reaches its highest development when 35lb. of zinc and 651b. of copper are present. Mechanical treatment, such as hammering, rolling, and drawing, has more influence on the strength of a zinc-copper alloy than the actual percentage of each metal present; after working, the true value of the alloy, considered on its own merits, can only be ascertained when thorough annealing has got rid of the interference. THREE parties ef observers will be sent to the region of the Upper Lena where the deration of the totality of the solar eclipse on August 9 will be the longest, namely, about 2min. 42?ec, The parties are going under the auspices of the Russian Astronomical Society. The Pulkowa Observatory is sending an expedition to the Lower Amour, where the duration will be one second less. The Academy of Sciences equips a party for the southern portion of Noyava Zembya, where the totality will be Imin. 58sec. that expeditions should travel to such remote regions for the sake of observations lasting only a few brief moments show the thoroughness of astronomical research in these days. AN eminent scientist describes what he calls freak pottery. In explorations and investigations of the mounds of Florida very large quantities of pieces of pottery are found. It is evident that they were broken before being buried with their owners, and that there must be some reason for breaking them. The freak, or ceremonial pottery, the latter name being supposed to describe the articles more accurately, appears to have been made for the purpose of bury- ing with the dead. They are pierced with holes before they are baked, and were evidently useless for the purpose of ordinary dishes. According to traditions existing among some of the tribes, it is believed that the vessel had a sort of spirit, and that it must be broken or pierced with holes in order to liberate the spiritual essence. This accounts for the broken pot- tery and vessels so frequently found in Indian tombs. THE new process for the liquefaction of air and other gases, which has been invented by Dr. William Hampson, although interesting and ingenious, scarcely merits the amount of praise which some scientific journalists have bestowed upon it, nor is it quite so novel as many seem to think. For some time past Professor Dewar, in this country, and Herr Linde, in Germany, have believed in the possibility of applying the reduction of temperature, consequent upon the expansion of a gas when released from a high pressure, to the further cooling of the compressed gas, and during the last few months both these scien- tists have devised apparatus for the liquefaction of air and other gases by the method mentioned. Dr. Hampson claims that he is the originator of this process, and that his patent dates from May, 1895. The question of priority in this matter is not. after all, so very important a matter, as it seems that this type of apparatus will bring us no nearer to the liquefaction of hydrogen or the attainment of the absolute zero of temperature. TROUvz's lamp for burning acetylene has now been perfected so far as to give a steady, reliable light on a consumption of about 3toz. of calcium carbide, for 38-candle power, per hour. The difficulty expe- rienced in making an efficient lamp proceeds largely from there being a kind of effervescence set up as the carbide decomposes the water. This causes the gas given off to burn badly, unless the water vapour it contains is eliminated before the burner's orifice is reached. M. Trouve leads the gas to the burner through a pair of tubes, one inside the other and both open at their lower ends. The inner tube, which is slightly the longer, has holes near the upper part communicating with the outer tube, and it is only through these that, gas can get from the large to the small tube. As soon as a slight condensa- tion appears in the small tube, the water, trickling down it, forms a siphon which continues to carry off all furl her deposits of moisture as soon as made. The carbide, to prevent its too rapid decomposition from the water soaking upwards, by capillary action, through the whole lot, is made up into a series of horizontal layers, having a sheet of glass between every two, so that only one layer can possibly be wetted at the same time. Sixcz the pneumatic assumed first place as a cycle tyre, there has been difficulty in getting a good thing in brakes--one that does not carry with it great risk of ripping the cover and letting the air out. The special brake wheel of small diameter, extending but little beyond the hub, and three-fourths encircled by a band of steel that can be tightened or loosened at will, has never found very much favour. There is now in the market a patented brake that seems likely to reccive a general welcome. It consists of a small wheel or roller of any desirable material held in a spring fork over the tyre just in front of the head. The spring fork is made of two flat ribbons, each with one end clamped to the head itself, and with the other end terminating in a curl which forms a bearing for the roller's central spindle. On applying a fixed brake to the top of the roller, the supporting spring fork bonds and brings its lower part against the tyre. This causes it to turn with the tyre, but sets up no friction between roller and tyre, all that being between the roller and the fixed brake pressing it downwards. The brake is pressed against the roller upon a contact surface nearer its centre than is the rim bearing on the air tyre, thus ensuring friction between the two former and pre- venting it between the two latter.

:00 NATIVES BLOWN up. A Cape Town telegram states that Mr. Dunean has applied from Buluwayo to Sir H. Robinson for a further force of 500 whiteB and 500 Buuto scouts. The Times Cape Town correspon- dent says Lord Grey has accepted an offer by the High Commissioner of 300 men of the 7th Hussars and 150 mounted infantry from Natal and 100 trained mounted infantry from the Cape Town garrison. It ií reported that, while the insurgents were looting a store at Eagle Reef, some dynamite that had been left behind exploded, killing 200 men. The South African Telegraph, of Cape Town, contends that it is not necessary to send out troops from England to subdue the Matabele rising, and that there are plenty of men in South Africa wIio might be enlisted for the service.

MATCHLESS CLEANSER has swept away A thousand worries at Washing Day.

THE MERTHYR FURNISHING COMPANY, GREAT STOCK-TAKING SALE. Substantial Reductions Grand Selections Bedroom Suites Reduced. Parlour Suites Reduced. Bedsteads and Bedding Reduced. Sideboards, Overmantels, and Brass Fenders Reduced. Good Opportunity for Cash Buyers. Best Manufactured Goods. BEST SELECTION and FREE DELIVERY. MERTHYR FURNISHING CO., MARKET SQUARE BUILDINGS 1 (Opposite POLICE STATION), MERTHYR. THE FORTY-SIXTH GREAT ANNUAL SALE, | PREVIOUS TO STOCKTAKING, OF THE || IMMENSE STOCKS OF EVERY DESCRIPTION OF FURNITURE, CARPETS, PIANOFORTES, &0., &c., IS NOW PROCEEDING, AND WILL BE CONTINUED FOR ONE MONTH ONLY, BY BEVAN AND COMPANY. LIMITED, REGISTERED AS "THE CARDIFF FURNISHERS." MILES OF CARPETS! SCORES OF PIANOS!! HUNDREDS OF SUITES! THOUSANDS OF BEDSTEADS WILL BE CLEARED FOR THE PURPOSE NAMED AT MARVELLOUS PRICES! B E V A N & COMPANY, DUKE STREET AND OPPOSITE THE CLARENCE STREET, Sr. MARY STREET, I TOWN HALL, CARDIFF. NEWPORT. I PONTYPOOL. Printed and published by the TIMES PRINTING COMPANY, John Street, Merthyr lyM Thurtday, April lbth, lotro.