Evening Express

— — — — TO-DAY'S WEATHER. The forecast of tits wsather throuthout the West <»f -Eafitnd and Soutli Walox for tt.-dty (Thursday) is as follows :—17. and N.W. winds, fresh or strong, baching later »mi wciieratiny; changeable rain or ha!! showers in plo-cts. TEaPERiTDRS SATKMLI.. DATS. jMai. JliA. JIeau.|9 a.m. 9 p.m.'Total V'EDNESDAY. 4J 53 35 44'0 "10 THURSDAY. 5: 49 37 43 0 *05 FRIDAY 6 48 40 44*0 -07 SATURDAY 7 50 41 45"3 *06 SUNDAY 8J 51 45 48'0 -00 MOUDAR, 91 49 43 44'5 "40 TUESDAY 10' 50 35 42'5 J "13

Telephone: National, 502. Post-office. 95. Telegrams: "Express," Cardiff.

PQWDERAMDSHOT. F' "Matches" IS the word placed up against seven of the Cardiff fires recorded last yea! H'm! What kind? A good many folk (we hear* set portions of the tcwn on fire after lazt Saturday's international. < t < E. THT small fives were due to paraffin lamp3 he-" year, says Chief McKenzie, talking of his fire brigade. That's not quite accurate. In most people's opinion the fires were duetto the makers or the oil-sellers. Two Cardiff ftre, are set down in the fire brigade report to the boiling over of tar la&t year. We must presume that these cccurred during the last weeks of the strike, when the workman's wile had nothing else to boil. Amongst the 137 fir?s on which the Cardiff Fire Brigade threw coid water iast year eleven were caused by lighting paper and candles. Not one was due to THA Radical councillors who were going to SAT the finance committee on fire IR.JL November tweivemoutii. It will astonish most folk to find out from the brigade annual just issued that one of last year's fires in Cardiff was caused by light- ning." A man who gives that reason for a, household flare would call his next fire (if he had one) caused by thunder." Mr. MeKenzie says the Cardiff Firo Brigade in the year just gone were c. lled up to eleven dummy fires and ten fahe aiarms" out of the 136. But of the firs brigade langwidge these called forth the chief is strangely silent. Was there no need to turn the hose on that? An (FCape of gas caused one firs which the Cardiff Brigade popped water on in 1898. It is necessary to mention that the escape in ques- tion did not happen in the council-chamber, though how on earth the Town-hall wasn't ".recked with Councillor Good and A few others there no one can tell. An Englishman and A Welshman disputing in whoso country was the best living, said the Welshman, "There is such noble housekeeping in Wales that I have known above a dozen cooks employed at one wedding dinner.1' "Ay," answered the Englishman, "that was because. every man toasted his own cheese." • »•••• West Bute-street chronicled no less than four- teen fires last year, and Bute-terrace has come next with five. Alderman Richard Cory will, no doubt, read useful lessons from the coin- cidence of fires and profanity, knowing that most police-court cases of "strwt-obscenit.y" came from thereabouts. • • • • • • Three fires (says the head-constable) were r,¡U.¡e(] last year in Cardiff by LADITS who left clothes to dry in front of tha fire. The obvious retort of the housewife is the question where ii she to dry her clothes when rainstorms fill the atmosphere 370 days in the year. Thank hCtU&H, there will scon HE an A2£V rr.ntA IN Egypt, where good drying-days can be depended on. f < < t w "Idriswyn's" Welsh report of the Inter- national match is re-printed in big type 011 the principal page of the "Tarian" this week. It is the first attempt to tackle Welsh football in our native tongue, and evidently it is not going to be the last. < < < t An Aberavon correspondent says that the darkness in the side streets of Port Talbot is so intense that people having to go out after I dark find it necessary to put up signs to find their house again. The ether night a. resident went one better, and tied a ball of string to his front gate, and let it out as he went to the corner shop. In an absent moment he let the string drop, and had to seek police assis- tance to find his home. t We are getting to something in "-ales! When. Nonconformist ministers help "lecturers" down here to invite free fights the step to the fistic ring is not a long one. So it will surprise no one to hear this morning that a Baptist minister struck a board school member in the face at A Llantwit Lower meeting. AVe should say no meeting could be lower than Llantwit, on this showing. A corps of ministerial warriors may be the ultimate move. <<<« Two old Docks friends have parted, in anger and sad langwidge, on account of one remark which happened inappropriately. Ah! poor old pal, he had been cut up badly overnight by the girl he last proposed to. And. with the sting of refusal still in his poor heart, h3 went (Hi Change. "Well, my boy—what's doing in Futures?" cried his bosom friend, as he sailed up. ?!?!?!♦ After a moment's thought, to see the point, we ought to laugh. But we will not. The French papers perturb themseives now find then over the orders issued by the British War Office. The latest is an order to Sheffield for 75,000 sailors' clasp-knives, 210.000 table knives, 170,000 table forks, 1,200 carving knive3, and 1,000 carving forks. This, surely, mean3 tho invasion of France and occupation of Paris; for the Welsh Regiment, for example, properly armed with table knives and,asp knives, would make very,hort work of Paris. The forks, the French reckon, are intended for the sappers and miners, who will pick the Parisian pieces up. »••••• "I have pleasure in again thanking Mr. Priest.ley (the waterworks engineer), Chief- inspector Richards, and the officials of the waterworks department," said Chief-constable MeKenzie in his report to the watch committee yesterday, speaking of the excellence of the water supply to his brimstone brigade last year. The chief omitted any mention of the clerk of the weather, who kept it turned on full all the year round. Was the omission made on purpose? *<.<< The following public buildings and places of public resort are regularly visited by the brigade, and fire extin- guishing appliances tested," says the chief- constable in his annual brigade report for 1898. Then follows a. list of thirteen places, which include the two theatres, the Empire, the Panopticon, and Andrews' hall. Quite a cheerful little round for the brigade, when there is anything good on, and it is allowed to take its wives. By the way, where was the hose and reel when Slattery was at Andrews'? A little washing-well, a little washing is a wondrous thing. *<< The ubiquitous Welshman and his friends again! The "Clobe" is telling us how A Welsh gentleman named Jones (we might have guessed that name'), of Holloway-road, N.. has a correspon- dent in Italy who addressed to him a postcard on October 20 last. It reached him on Satur- day last, not in the usual way through tho post. but as part of the paper packing of a case of oranges from Spain! Professors of the doc- trine of chances might spend some time arriving at the billions of trillions of odd* against such a thing happening; but Mr. Jones has nothing to complain of. He got his post- card from Italy, after all; and the addressee of anything from that country may always think himself lucky if it is not stolen on the way. t The following comment from "The Critic" will please Cardiff educationalists. The writer tells the world that "Cardiff has in- augurated an excellent educational move- ment which promises well. LESSONS upon books are being given to children in the public library; and the local school boards FEVE voted considerable sums of money towards sup- plying the schools in the town with libraries. The teachers express themselves enthusiasti- cally in favour of the innovation, which one would wish to see further extended. Anything which tends to substitute an intelligent interest in literature and life for the present cramming system should be welcomed. There must be something wanting in the course of study now pursued in our board schools, if one may r jUdge from thj taste of the rising generation. As Dr. Creighton pointed out the other day, the vast majority of the young men in London read nothing better than papers of the "snippet" order. So far from the disconnected shredg of knowledge so gained having any educational effect they must have a positively ruinous effect upon the thinking powers, destroying that faculty of sustained attention without which nrental cul- ture is impossible. Cardiff is a gc-ahead town; and its action will, I hope, be widely followed."

SOlTTH WALES PRESS JIEXEIFIT SOCIETY. MB. SAVAGE LANDOR TO ATTEND THE AttNUAIi BANQUET. MR. Henry Savage Landor will have two engagements when he comes to Cardiff at the end of this month. On Friday night, the 27th, AS we have already eaid, he will deliver a lectnr9 at the Park-hall on his experiences in Tibet, and as Mr. Landor is the only white man who has pierced this forbidden land with any SUCCESS in the way of securing information his lecture. and particularly his lantern views, wiil be extremely interesting. On the following night the annual banquet of the South Wales and Monnonthsliire Press Benefit and Superannuation Society takes place, under the presidency of the mayor of Cardiff, at the Town-hall, and the society has been fortunate enough to secure from Mr. Landor an accep- tance of an invitation to be present. On this occasion the guests will include ladies. A ten-tare of this banquet is the musical pro- gramme. which is invariably of A high order. Tho issuing of invitations to those who have attended previous banquets will start to-day; others who de3ire to attend should send their applications to the secretary, Mr. W. Å. Morgan "Western Mail," Cardiff. In regard to the lecture, we are asked to say that the photographs and views which Mr. Landor throws on the screen form a unique and valuable collection. Mr. Landor is himself an artist of repute, and the photographs he took and the sketches he made while on his way to and in the forbidden country are worth going a Jong way to see. Not the least inte- resting among the photographs are the two showing Mr. Landor when he set out for hig perilous journey and then when he came back Particulars of the lecture will be found in Qltr advertisement columns.

) TYSON S MILLIONS. The most authoritative estimate of the wealth of James Tyson, tho Australian millionaire, places it between £:),000,000 and £Ij ,000.000 It is believed he die < intestate. Friends repeatedly urged him to make A will, but he was strangely nervous on the snbject, and said he had no faith in the secrecy of lawyers' offices. A step- sister resides near Sydney, and some 60 Tysons in Australia claim relationship, iu addition in itverai huudreii UX this couutry*

General News. A gentleman named M'Cartney has died at Kilreel, County Antrim, aged 102 years. District-inspector James B. Wright, of Bel- fast. was on Wednesday elected chief-constable of Newcastle-on-Tyne. During the passage of the London and North Western steamer Violet, from Dublin to Holy- head on Tuesday night one of the patSengers, a soldier, deliberately jumped overboard and disappeared. The body was not recovered. A Reuter's telegram from Washington on Wedne-day «ays:—'The appointment of Mr. Choate as United States Ambassador to Great Britain is officially announced this afternoon. Early on Wednesday morning an alarming fire occurred on the premises of Mr. K J. Richards, grocer, Pontnewydd. The bakehouse and stores were completely gutted, the damage being estimated at between £1,500 and £2,000. An inquest was held at Coalville, Leicester- shire, Oil Wednesday 011 the seven bodies recovered from the Whitwick Colliery, at which an accident occurred in April last. The jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death." The Bishop of Wakefield has received an anonymous donation of £3,000 towards the fund for enlarging Wakefield Cathedral as a memorial to the late Bishop Wal-sham How, the first bishop of the diocese. Mr. Godfrey Clark, Talygaru, attended a meeting of the members of the Pontypridd Constitutional Club on Tuesday night, and delivered an address on "Old-age Pensions." Mr. Gordon Lenox presided. On Wednesday night James Burton, aged seventeen years, was about to couple some wagons at the Cathays sidings on the Taff Vale Railway system when ho got caught between the buffers, and was so severely crashed that he died while being conveyed to the infirmary. It is interesting to know, with reference to the death of the Rev. H. J. Prince, the founder of "TlJe Aonde of Love." whoso biography we published on Wednesday, began his labours as a Miilenarian. in organised form, at Swansea, and was assisted by two young curates. A landslip has recurred on the Lancashire. Derbyshire, and East Coast Railway, three miles east of Chesterfield, blocking the down line. The mishap was discovered in time to stop the traffic, which is now being conducted over the up line. The fall i,s not expected to be cleared before to-morrow (Friday). The death took place on Wednesday at Kingsland. Peterston-super-Ely. near Cardiff, of Mrs. Matilda Mary Waring, wife of Coun- cillor C. E. Waring. Deceased was but 40 years of age, and much sympathy is felt with I Councillor Waring and family in their bereavement. A correspondent writes:—IT is understood that the Rev. Z. Paynter Williamson, vicar of Margam, intends coming out as a candidate for the vacant proctorship, in response to the invitation of several clerical friends. It wili bo remembered that at the last election he with- drew in favour of the Rev. S. H. F. Nicholl. By a peculiar lamp accident at Messrs. Wright. Bntlsr, and Co.'S Hematite Works, Lan- dore, Swansea, on Wednesday morning, a work- man named John Rees was slightly injured. Rees was carrying the naphtha lamp when it exploded, and he throw it from him, and it ignited two jars of naphtha close by. A Renter's telegram from Bombay on Wed- nesday says-.—The health returns issued to-day are of A very unsatisfactory character as rsgarda the city of Bombay where the mortality from all causes during the week was 1,111, as compared with 894 in the preceding week. The deaths from plague were 220 against 154. George Williams, an applicant for a vaccina- tion exemption certificate tø the Swansea magistrates on Wednesday, said, in reply to the bench, that he had read in the newspapers that vaccination was a harmful and dangerous thing. Ho "conscientiously objected to it, therefore.—The application was granted. The statement that Mr. Richard Fender, of Swansea, had neglected to file a return of his election expenses and was liable to penalties turns out to be the result of an error in the town-clerk's office. The candidate has not been guilty of neglect at all, and had filed the return in good time, but through inadver- tence it had been overlooked. The supposed dissatisfaction amongst the Mid-Surrey Unionists at the selection of Mr. Keswick as candidate of the party for the vacancy caused by Mr. Buckniil's elevation to the Bench has induced the Liberals to consider the advisableness of contesting the division, and at a meeting of prominent Liberals held on Tuesday evening it was decided to take immediate steps to find a suitable candidate. The inquest in London on Wednesday afternoon on the body of the woman named Birmingham, known A*> Mrs. Ange- linetta, resulted in a verdict of "Wil- fnl murder" against Nurse White, who was present at the inquiry in custody. White has been remanded at the North London Police- court on a charge of performing an illegal operation on the d&rieased. Among the latest contributors to the Prince of Wales's London Hospital Fund are the follow- ing annual subscriptions:—L*he Hon. W. W. A.stor. £1,000; the Worshipful Company of C:ot.h \Vorkers. £1.000; Hambro and SOIlS. £250; Wernher, Beil, and Co., £25Q; Duchess of Cleve- land, Sir Frederick Wills, Messrs. Edward Hore, T. Spencer. Henry Raphael, and Swine and Sons £100 each. At a largely-attended meeting at Pcntre- chwyfch, Swansea, it was resolved to make a collection for the aged parents of tho unfortu- nate man Huxtable, who was killed in the Foxhole affray, Mr. Wilks being appointed secretary and Mr. William Davies treasurer. The service at Pentrechwyth Mission Church on Sunday evening was in memoriam of the deceased young man. On Wednesday night Mr. Jeffries gave a lec- ture at the Board Schools, Bargoed, on "The British in Egypt, and the recent Battles under Lord Kitchener." illustrated by over 100 magni- ficent oxyhydrogen views. The school was crowded. and the lecture was listened to attentively. Mr. Percy Jeffries had charge of a gramophone, which created much amusement. The chair was taken by Mr. J. M. Greenhow, mechanical engineer, Powell Dnffryn Com- pany. The Press Association understands that the Committee on the Pure Beer Question, pre- sided over by Earl Pembroke, has now termi- nated its work, both the majority and minority reports being completed, but it is apparently not yet certain whether these reports will be presented to the House of Commons at the commencement of the session, as the inquiry was one of ;1, departmental character, and not conducted by a Select Committee of Parlia. ment. At Mountain Ash Police-court on Wednes- day. Thomas Watkins, a. collier, was charged with manslaughter by causing the death of John Lloyd, collier, by striking him at the Aberdare HOlel, and causing him to be scalded. At the inquest the evidence, which was fully reported at the time, was most con- tradictory, and the jury brought in a verdict of "Death by misadventure." Mr. D. R. Rosser, solicitor, Pontypridd, defended the prisoner.— The witnesses were again carefully examined and cross-examined, and eventually the pri- soner was committed for trial, but admitted to bail. The Liberal party in the Carmarthen Boroughs are in a pucker. Three aspirants for Parliamentary honours are seeking their suffrages, viz., MR. Tom Hughes, J.P., Mr. Thomas Phillips (tin-plate secretary), and Mr. Alfred Davies, of H*npstead. The three gentle- men are pushing forward their claims, but next week the final decision will be made, for tho three candidate.. are to address the execu- tive of the association, and the gentlemen composing that body will decide who shall fight the seat. More than 100 brethren of the Children of the Resurrection, travelled to Charlynch (Somerset) on Wednesday by special train from F alding- ton to attend the burial of the founder of the sect. The body was interred in a lawn con- tiguous to the Agapenione, or Abode ;f Lcve, and the funeral service was conducted by the Rev. J. Pigott, an Agapemonian pastor frtm London. Only the elect were permitted within the walls of the Agapemone. and unregenerate outsiders had to be satisfied with oucli V.C T of the proceedings as could be obtained from the windows or roofs of houses overlooking the burial-place. The Press Association Liverpool correspon- dent telegraphs that a startling discovery was made on Wednesday afternoon in an empty house in a poor neighbourhood of the city near a leading thoroughfare. A woman went to look at the hou-.e. and on entering an upper room was horrified at finding 011 the floor the body of a woman, stark naked. The visitor immediately informcd the police, who returned to the house with her. The body was discovered to be that of a. handsome woman, about 28 years of age, well nourished, of fair complexion, and with abunda.nt. black hair, and evidently belonging to a good class 01 society. Xo marks of violence were visible.

Baptist Minister Strikes A MEMBER AT A WELSH SCHOOL BOARD MEETING. A remarkable scene occurred at the meet- ing 01: the Llantwit Lower School Board at Neath yesterday. It was rather a series of scenes, in which considerable acerbity was displayed, and one of the members assailed the LEVEL-END chairman (a, Baptist minister) so bitterly and persistently that at last the reverend gentleman acted upon a warning that he had given, and struck his opponent a blow IN THA face. Unlike the fight v-e report to-day from America, the affray at the Llantwit Lower School Board began and ended wltll the minister's blow. The account of ill'; proceedings, which we give below, incH- cates that in Llantwit Lower a good many thin.js beside education come within the pur- view of the school board. The monthly meeting of the Llantwit Lower School Board was held on Wednesday, UNDER the presidency of the Rev. T. W. George. The other members present were }fe,rs. E. Law (vice-chairman) and David Rees, and the Rev. R. O. Evans. SOME SHARP FIRING. The Clerk (Mr. Edward Powell) read a letter from Mr. Brown, headmaster of the Tonna, Schools, stating that Mr. D. G. Duvies, class teacher, had received an appointment at Abpr- dare. and wislied to leave on the 16th inst.— Mr. Law: I know that Mr. Davies is desirous of remaining at the Tonna Schools.—The Chair- man: Has the clerk receive any communica- tion to that effect?—Mr. Powell: Xo. sir.—The Chairman: Then I can take no notice of it.— Mr. Law: I move that Mr. Davies's .—The Chairman If eommunications are made at ail they should be made through the clerk.—Mr. Law: I move that Mr. Davies's resignation be not accepted.—Mr. David Ree, (Tonna) seconded.—The Chairman: I move that his resignation be accepted.—Mr. Law: Oh! you won't get a seconder for that.—The Rev. R. 0. Evans: Had we better not adjourn the question, so as to get at the facts?—The Chairman: There ha., heen ;1. good deal of backstairs work. —Mr. Law Yes. on your part.—The Chairman: I see the letter is addressed to you?—Mr. Law: I don't care if it is. There's a lot behind this which will have to come out. We shall have to hold a public inquiry.—Mr. Raes: There is a good deal behind the scenes, and it is only right that we should get at the bottom of it.—The Chairman: First of ali, is there a request from Mr. Davies to have his resignation w;th(lrawn? I seo by th3 letter that- he wishes to leave on the 16th inst. Now. you must either grant the application or refuse it. There is no application of withdrawal from liiro.—Mr. Law: A lot of dirty linen will be washed over this affair.—Mr. Rees: No harm will be done by an adjourn- ment.—The Chairman: I have nothing to adjourn.—Mr. Rses: The chairman has ruled me out of order.—The Chairman: I have ruied nothing out of order.—The Rev. R. O. Evans: I move that the matter be adjourned, so that we shall be able to learn exactly what is the matter.—The Chairman I second that.—Mr. Law: But you have ruled that out of order.— The Chairman: Are you going to dictate to the chair?—Mr. Rees: But yon ;-aid yourself that you could not adjourn.—Mr. Law (to the chair- man): You are only one member of the board. —Mr. Reel*: Yes; yon are only one member. If the board like, they can select another chair- man.-The Chairman 1\"1 chairman cf tlli" hoa-rd I intend to rnle it.—Mr. R2e,: But you said "No" when I wanted to have the question adjourned.—The Chairman: Of course, an amendment can be moved.—Mr. Law: H lias been moved and seconded that .—The Chair- man: The amendment is that the matter be adjourned —The Rev. R. O. Evans: Has it been seconded?—The Chairman: Yes; I have seconded it.—Mr. Law Of courie.—Mr. Rees (to the chairman): You ruled the amendment out of order, and now you second it.—Mr. Law: Yes; you are acting the Chairman; The amendment is that the matter be adjourned. I second it.—Mr. Law: Yea; and you should remain silent.—The Chair- man: And leave you to do the talking. I sup- pose?—Mr. Law: The chairman finds himself in a cornsr. and now he ITS trying to twist about. It all amounts to the same thing.— The amendment was then put and carried.— Jt. was resolved to convene A special meeting next Monday to go fully into the matter. AN. UNPRECEDENTED SCENE. The Clerk then reported that Miss George (daughter of the chairman) had passed THE pupil teachers' examination, while Miss Griffiths had failed.—Mr. Law: I have just heard the report of the pupil teachers' examination. I have Miss Griffiths's book with me. and it shows that the lessons which this young lady did have not been marked in any way. She has been attending these schools, but her mistakes have never been pointed out to her. Mr. Law at this point reached over the table, and was about to hand the book to the clerk, when the Chairman said, sharply, Please hand tho book to the clerk through the chairman," at the same time taking the book from Mr. Law.—'The Rev. u.. O. Evans interpolated: Why don't we adjourn all this?—Mr. Law: No; I am here to let things out, and I am going to let. 'em out. Miss Griffiths has been neglected and Miss Goorge favoured. Mr. Davies has been instructed not to give this young lady (Miss Griffiths) any lessons at all. These are the Instructions of the headmaster. Had Miss Griffiths been properly treated* she would have passed as well AS the other. The injustice was inten- sified by the fact that Miss Griffiths was a Tonna girl. There was too much of this sort of thing going on at Tonna. It was a scandalous shame that this young lady should lie kept back for the express purpose of favouring another girl, whose father was the chairman of the board. He has been doing this sort of thing for some time ba.ck. He (Mr. Law) hoped the ratepayers would see that teachers were not boycotted by the chairman of the board. What was the reason of Mr. Davies's leaving? The Chairman: That is out of order. Mr. Law: It i8 because the headmaster and another teacher don't pull well together. NO member of this board should supply oats and com to a member of the teaching staff. The schools are managed much differently at the Melyn. I hope that when Mr. Davies comes before the special meeting ho will. show IIp what has been going on. We have never HAD a finer teacher than he is. The action of the chair- man in supplying hay and corn wa* taking awav the liberty of the teacher affected. The Chairman: Are you moving anything? Mr. Law: If you don't keep quiet I'll move that you leave the chair, and will put someone else in it. I say the chairman has been using hill influence for the express purpose of KEEPING Mis3 Griffiths back and pushing hi. own daughter forward. The Chairman: I wish the clerk to take note of Mr. final remarks. They may be of ROe later 011. It is a statement of Mr. Law which, like many others of his, is a lie. It. hu no foundation whatever. ITr. Law: Of course, you can spin them often enough. The Chairman It is true my daughter passed her examination, but not through the Tonna, hut, the County School. Ur. Law: She was coached at Tonnn. The Chairman: Mr. Law stated that Mr. Davies had received definite instructions not to give any lemons to Miss Grif- fith*. Now. I have been a much better friend to Miss Griffiths than Mr. Law has. If his remarks with reference to instructions given to Mr. Davies can be substantiated, someone I will have to answer for it. Some time ago I was requested to go to the Tonna Schools and examine Miss Griffiths's books. I did so, and at that time they were properly marked. Mr. Law: They are not marked. The Chairman: Will you be silent? They were marked. Mr. Law: I cannot allow you to tell lies. Tell the truth about it. You very rarely do. The Chairman: What I am saying is per- fectly true, and from that day to this I have not beard a suggestion of any neglect of Miss Griffiths. Mr. Law: Oh, don't tell any more lies. The Chairman fhotlv): If you say that. again I'll give you a back-hander. It's the only fit treatment for A blackguard like you. Mr. Law laughed, and repeated the observa- tion. or words to the same effoct. Then followed a scene almost unprecedented. To the surprise of the members and the press, the chairman rose and struck Mr. Law a blow in the face. Mr. Law threw himself into a fighting altitude, and the two stood facing each other in the orthodox manner. Mr. Law for some time could not realise his position. When he did he walked towards the other end of the room, shouting. "That shows what a man you arf". Don't you think you are going to play ducks and drakes, or you'll make S mistake. The Chairman: I'll give you ducks and drakes, you thundering liar. Mr. Law: 1 would not dirty my hands with a cad like you. The Chairman Yon say another word. and I'll give you what you deserve-a good hiding. After further recrimination the meeting broke up in disorder. Thus ended Chapter 1. of a remarkable scene, which, although it did not last more than a few minutes, is probably unique in the annals of school board history. The chairman is a Baptist minister, who is also a hay and corn and coal merchant, and the vice-chairman (Mr. Law) is a local financier.

The snb-committee appointed to deal with the 64 applications for the position of clerk in the town-clerk's office at Bristol have selected the following five: — James Dingley. town- clerk's office, Birmingham; Percy llayvnan Gray, town-clerk's office. Cardiff; Thomas Jen- nings, 2, Elverton-road, Victoria Park. Bristol, engaged iti A solicitor's office; William Hodgson, town-clerk's office. Carlisle; and Arthur A. Paget, town-clerk's office, Bradford. The post is that of a clerk who will be responsible for the work other than legal work, And the salary is to-be .&290 a year,

Charter of the Workmen i COMPENSATION ACT AND ITS WORKING. DISCUSSION AT EDINBURGH. The annual meeting of the Miners' Federation was resumed at Edinburgh on Wednesday, Mr. Pickard, M.P., presiding. At the outset the Chairman said the general ueaire WAS to have reporters present at the morning sittings, and take the private business in the afternoon. They would that morning take reports from districts on the wcrlÜng of the Compensation Act. Mr. Parrott (Yorkshire) opened the discussion. He said the Act was, in his opinion, a great improvement on any Act passed in favour of the working classes, but there were defects, -1 id persons were trying to evade and shuffle of their responsibilities. Mr. Glover (Lancashire) complained that the Lancashire men had to wait sometimes as Ion; as four mouths before the masters would part with money. HE blamedlhe indemnity com- panies for thig. Mr. Stanley (Staffordshire) said in his district claims were paid when riue, but in some dis- tricts when the Act came into operation a number of old men were discharged. He com- plained of the men's mutual arrangement scheme?. Ml Johnson (Warwick) and Mr. Haslam (Derbyshire) gave specific instances of hardships which occurred in their districts in the working of the Act, Mr. Haskun saying there had not been so much difficulty in recovering compen- sation from the companies as there had been in getting out of the courts. In one instance he had CMUNED £5 to account for a widow to carry her Jvcr Christmas, but tho money got into the hands of THE court, and he would be blessed if he could get it out again. (LaughteiO Mr. Hancock (Nottinghamshire) was not aware of any change in his district under the Act for medical fees. In other respects the Act had worked fairly satisfactorily. Mr. Chambers (Leicestershire) gave testimony with regard to hLs district similar to that of the previous speaker. Mr. Sharp (Cumberland) said that in his dis- trict they had worked the Act by A committee. and striven to keep clear of the law courts. Mr. E. Hughe3 (North Wales) and Mr. Hobbs (Cleveland) also spolw, the latter stating that up to the present they had managed the Act in a very amicable manner. I Mr. Smillie (Scottish Federation) said that in the West of Scotland no attempt had been made to get workmen to contract out of the Act in any shape or form. They in Scotland had all along professed that what they wanted from legislation of this kind was greater safety, and they had been carefully watching whether the responsibility under this Act would lead to greater safety. His experience was that it had not, and one of the reasons was that the em- ployers in nearly every case wore insured, and managers had no compunction in saying, "Well, it has nothing whatever to do with us; the insurance company are responsible." Mr. R. Brown (Scottish Miners' secretary) said the experience they had had was that it was the best Bill that had ever been passed yet. He had been able to hand over JE292 to their injured men. whereas if it had not been for that Act they would not have got a penny. Mr. Whiiefield (Bristol), Mr. Whitehouse (Somersetshire), and Mr. Brace (Monmouth- shire) aldo spoke, the last-mentioned stating that in bis district a distinction had been made by the employer* in the payment of compensa- tion between Union and non-Union ca.ses. Mr. Cowley (Yorkshire) moved the following resolution, drafted by Mr. Harvey (Derbyshire). "That this conference is of opinion that the Compensation Act, 1898, should be amended— (1) by the introduction of a clause including all trades; (2) that the clause of wilful a.nd serious misconduct be deleted (3) that the pay- ments of compensation commence from the date of the accident; (4) the abolition of con- tracting-out; and (5) that the question of the administration of the Act and its defects be dealt with by the executive committee." Mr. Greenall (Lancashire) seconded. Mr. Harvey (Derbyshire) said that for the last eleven completed months of which they had statistics 3.228 lives were lost in all trades by fatal accidents, and there were 63.562 persons injured. More than half of these accidents had no compensation under the Act, and it beoame a serious matter to every workman imbued with right feelings to bring all workers under the benefit of the Compensation Act. Mr. Brown (Scottish Miners' secretary) said 85 per cent. of the accidents came under the Aot. Mr. Abraham, M.P.. said he should like the conference to take a strong ótand. and pass » resolution protecting against the parthtlity of the Registrar of Friendy Societies in aiding employers to evade this Act. (Hear, hear.) The intention of the Legislature under the Act was entirely evaded by this gentleman. (Hear, hear.) The resolution proposed by Mr. Cowley was then put to the meeting, and unanimously adopted, with the addition of a clause suggested by Mr. Wilson (Scottish Federation), namely, that the clause dealing with dependants and partial dependents be amended. Mr Abraham thereafter moved that they pro- test against the manner in which the Registrar of Friendly Societies had from time to time certified certain schemes under the Act. Mr. Glover (Lancashire) seconded, and the motion was approved unanimously. The conference then adjourned for lunch. On resuming in the afternoon, under the pre- sidency of Mr. S. Woods, M.P., a discussion took place in private on a resolution BEAMING on the advance of wages question. The following resolution was carried, on the motion of Mr. T. Greenall (Lancashire), seconded by Mr. W. Parrott (Yorkshire), and supported by Messrs. Harvey (Derbyshire), Murray (Yorkshire), and others:—"As all districts are in favour of an advance of wages of 71 per cent.. the secretary of the federation be instructed to write at once to the secretary of the Coalowners' Associa- tion asking them to meet the federation board to consider and decide upon the question." The conference then rose for the day.

THE HURBEROUS ATTACK BY A CONVICT, In Tuesday's issue we reported a murderous assault on a convict named Stanley by a brother convict named Williams, and we assumed the assailant to be a man named Timothy David Williams, a native of Llan- dovery. who was sentenced in March. 1898. to penal servitude for five years for attempting to murder Police-constable Mitchelmore. Stationed in that town. As no piroof, however, was forthcoming, Dr. R. Jeffreys Owen, of Gollen House, the mayor of Llandovery, wired on Tuesday morning to the governor of Park- hurst Convict Prison, where the affair occurred, to inquire whether the assailant was the Llan: dovery man or not. A reply was received from the governor about five o'clock to the effect that "Timothy David Williams, of LIandovery. was the man, and tflat the injured man was getting on well." Williams was always of A most sullen disposition, and a dangerous indi- vidual to quarrel with. He had many times whilst at Llandovery expressed to Police- sergeant Williams and others a strong desire to "swing for somebody," and had, in fact, threatened the sergeant personally to rob him of his life. The convict's wife and children are still residing art. Llandovery, and seem to lie getting on much better without him than when he lived with them. <

PRINCIPAL BOY" MARRIED AT NEWPORT. Our Cheltenham correspondent telegraphs that a wedding of more than ordinary inte- rest was celebrated at St. Woolos' Church, Newport, on Wednesday afternoon, when the brid9 was Miss Violet Friend, who first appeared in Cheltenham as "principal boy" in the Christmas pantomime, and then danced and sang herself into the heart of a young and well-to-do Cheltonian, who is the son of highly-respected former residents of the town. The engaging a,ctres8 to whom Mr. Alan Sidney James Crawford was married on Wednesday has already gained a good posi- tion on the burlesque stage. Mr. Crawford was often a visitor to the pantomime during its fortnight's stay in Cheltenham, and the frequency with which ho handed valuable presents to the heroine WAS noted by the curious, and quickly formed the principal topic of society conversation in the town. On Sunday the company moved to Newport, where the pantomime is now being produced, and where the sequel to the Cheltenham romance was s^.en in the marriage by special licence of Miss Friend and Mr. Crawford. Our Newport correspondent says:—The cere- mony was performed by the Rev. Percy Mor- timer, and was attended by a number of the artistes engaged at the Lyceum. The best man was Mr. Dan Thomas ("Dame Dorking"), whilst the bridemaid was Miss Adelaide Aylnier ("Princess Pansy"). The wedding was cele- brated in a quiet manner, and Miss Friend will appear as usual in "Puss in Boots in her impersonation of "Jack Grist." Miss Friend told a "Star" reporter who interviewed her that the character suited her exact1v-it was so like her own romance. When her present, engagement with Mr. Phillips is ended she will join Mr. Yorke Stevens' "Little Miss Nobody" tonring company in the part now being played by Miss Gracit: Leigh at the Lyric Theatre. She is AN enthusiastic sports- woman, her esneeial hobby being rifle shooting, at which she has taken several prizes. With regard to her marriage, she stated that she met Mr. Crawford some years ago, and renewed his acquaintance at Cheltenham during the run of the pantomim*. i

Rhondda Glee Society I ENTERTAIN THE DUKE OF WESTMINSTER'S GUESTS The far-famed Royal Rhondda Glee Society had the honour on Wednesday evening of giving a concert before A distinguished party at the Duke of Westminster's palatial mansion, Eatoa. Hall, near Chester. The engagement waS brought about in an interesting fashion. The society gave a successful concert at Chester in. November last, under the auspices of th9 Chester and North Wales Commercial Travellers' Association, and among the audiento were the Duke and Duchess of Westminster and. Prince and Princess Adolphus of Teck. Theif graces were highly delighted with the perfor- mance, and thoy extended to the choir a cor", dial invitation to visit Eaton as toon a.s an opportunity presented itself. Their graces are now entertaining a large party at Eaton, and they invited about 100 leading residents in Chester and the neighbcurhood for the concert. The glee society, numbering 45, and accom* panied by Mr. W. A. Morgan, Cardiff, left Pentre shortly before eight, o'clock on Wednes- ■ day morning, and completed their journey of 156 miles1 A little before four o'clock. They madr the Grosvenor Hotel, Chester, their head- S quarters, and in the evening were driven to> I Eaton, and, arriving there, partook of light T refreshment. Eaton Hall is a delightfully, I situated modern building, being the fourth j mansion that has occupied the spot on which. j it stands. Jt was re-built and extended in. 1667 by the present duke, and the work of re-construction occupied thirteen years. One of the features of the palace—for such it really b-is the magnificent central ha]. in which. Wednesday night's concert was given. It contains a number of choice sculptures, con- nected for the most part with the history of the Gresvenor family, from the time of itit founder, Hugh Lupus, nephew of William the Conqueror, downwards. The concert com- menced at nine o'clock, when there had assem- bled a. brilliant audience, which included the Duke and Duchess of Westminster, Prince Francis of Teck, Prince Alexander of Teck. the Marquess and Marchioness of Ormonde, Ladies Constance and Beatrice Butler. Countess Grosvenor. Ladies Constance and Lettice Grosvenor, Lords Henry. Gerald, and Hugh Grosvenor. Ladies Helen and Mary Grosvenor. Earl and Countess Grey, Earl Shaftesbury. Lord and Lady Castleross, Lord Rowton, Viscountess Cobham and the Hon. Mr. Lyttelton, Lady Kathleen Cole, the Hon. Charles Willoughbv, the Hon. W. Lambton, tho Hon. A. Stanley, Mr. ILLIANY Porta!, Mrs. Portal, and Miss Portal. Mr. Erii! Chaplin, Miss Chaplin. a.nd Mr. and Mrs. Ben- son. The programme, which had been compiled by Mr. Edgar L. Probert, was an exceedingly artistic production. It contained a brief history of the choir :Ild excellent re-production3 of photographs of Pentre, Eaton Hall, and members of the choir. The concert was prac- tically a repetition of that given before the Queen at Windsor in February last year. The opening item was "God Save the Queen." and then followed "God Bless the Prince of Wales," which was sung in Welsh. Next came a part- song, "The Little Church," which was the test piece at Cardiff Eisteddfod in 1883, and after this "Comrades in Arms" was given with grand' effect. The choir sang "Annabelle Lee," una.ccom;1anied, with much expression, and. they made a great hit with "The Pilgrims," which, it will be remembered, was the test- piece at Chicago Exhibition, where the choif won the 1.000dol. prize and gold medal. The baritone solos in the latter were almost fault- lessly rendered by Mr. David Jones, R.A.M. The j choir were equally successfu! in "The Hunting Chorum." "Night and Day." and "Men of Harlech" in Welsh, and, after hearing their striking treatment cf the latter item, the audience were fully able to understand how it was the Queen was so favourably impressed with it. Another pretty chorus was "Hues of Day," in which the solo part was sym- pathetically taken by Mr. Gwilym Evans. The choir were loudly applauded for their singing of that exquisite composition. "The Tyrol." and they were also heard to advantage in "The Soldiers' Chorus" (from "Faust"), and the musical je:t. "Italian Salad," the solos in the latter being admirably sung by Mr. T. Salathiel. The concluding items were "Hen WI ad FY Nhadau" and "Duw Gadwo'r Frenhines." The concert was unquestionably at rich musical treat. The audience were most enthusiastic, and the duke expressed his warm appreciation of the choir's ability. Mr. Tom Stephens proved an efficient conductor, and the accompanists—Messrs. David Jones and Pereie Smith—satisfactorily discharged their duties. At the conclusion the choir were hospi- tably entertained at supper, and Chester waj finally reached about midnight.

CONGREGATIONALISM IN EAST GLAMORGAN, On Wednesday the quarterly meetings of the East Glamorgan Association, representing over eighty churches, were held at Ebenezer Church, Cardiff. There were present a larger number than usual of ministers and deacons from vrrious churches. The conference, which waa well attended, was held at Ebenezer at ten. o'clock on Wednesday morning. The Rev. M. C. Morris, Ton is the cb.ui man tor the year, whilst the secretary and treasurer are respectively the Rev. John Williams, Hafod, and Mr. Thomas Thomas, Tynyw^rn. The report of the "Gronfa," or Forward Movement, Committee was brought in by the secretary, the Rev. O. H. Hughes, Tylorstown. He! reported that, considering the industrial crisis in South Wales, the churches HAD done very well during the year. The report W,tt adopted. A communication was Tead from the secre- tary of the Ministers' Widows' Fund (the Rev, John Rogers, Pembrey) making application for increased collections and subscriptions this year. The widows of deceased ministers in Wales had received during the year the sum of £1,000 from the fund, while the whole con- tributions received from Wales were only about £150.0u the motion of the Rev. M. Jones, Ty- newydd, seconded by the Rev. W. C. Davies. Llantrisant, it was resolved to recommend thia deserving fund to the seriotu consideration of the churches in general. A vote of condolence was passed with the family of the late Principal Michael Jones, Bala College. The Rev. Evan Richards. Tonypandy, moved a, resolution heartily congratulating the Unsectarian party in Cardiff on their victory at the recent school board election.—This WAS carried with acclamation. A communication was received from the Rev. W. Emlyn Jones, Morriston, secretary of the Church Aid Society, asking for special collections towards defraying a debt of JE125 now remaining due to the treasurer of that society before the 25th of March, when the treasurer. Mr. Thomas Williams, J.P., Gwaelodygarth. who has done so much for this beneficial society, is compelled on medical advice to resign his office as treasurer. The Rev. Thomas Hughes, Cathays, moved the following resolution:—"That this conference of the Welsh Congregationalists of East Glamorgan, assembling at Ebenezer Church. Cardiff, on Wednesday. January 11, 1899. ex- presses its satisfaction at the message oF peace recently issued by his Majesty the Emperor of Russia, wherein he proposes that a conference of the representatives of European and other Powers should be held with a view to the maintenance of general peace and the arrest of the growth of armaments among the nations, and sincerely urges upon her Majesty <t Government to give their cordial support to the proposed conference, and also to exercise the great and exceptional power which they possess to give effect to the spirit of the Imperial message."—Mr. Hughes said that it was *iot necessary to speak much on this n.otion. but he believed that the Czar's message came from an honest heart. Our country had a great power to support this proposal if the heart of the country was set right.—It was seconded by the Rev. C. T. Thomas, AND carried unanimously. It was resolved that the next meeting of th< association be held at Coity. and that the lte". J. Pethian Davies. Treherbert. shall then preach a special sermon on "Church Member- ship and the Drink Traffic." and the Rev. J. R. Davies, of Cardiff, on a. subject to be given by the church at CbTty. Preaching services were held in the afternoon and evening. Great preparations had been made by the church at Ebenezer to welcome the association. OPENING OF A NEW CHURCH. The opening services at St. Paul's, the NEW Congregational Church jn Cowbridge-road, Car- diff, were held on Wednesday afternoon and evening, the preacher on both occasions being the Rev. H. Arnold Thomas, M.A.. chairman of the Congregational Union of England and Wales. The memorial stones were laid on July 6. 1898. and the Church, which was formed in 1886, has now a membership of 135. The build- ing. which re-places the old iron church ill Neville-street, is admirably situated at the corner of Rawden-place and Cowbridge-road. It is in the fifteenth century style of Gothio architecture, bold in detail, the chief architec- tural features being a fine five-light tracery window as the centre of the Cowbridge-road front, with two octagonal flanking turrets about 65ft. high. There is sitting accommodation for about 500. The work has been carried out by Mr. W. T. Morgan, contractor. Cardiff, at AI cost of a.bont £2.600. the architects being Messrs. Veall and Sant. The building is lighted by electricity. The pastor (the Rev. J. H. Walker) has been in charge of the Church for seven years.

Tho distribution of certificates to successful students at the Penarth County School even- ing classes took place on Wednesday evening at the schools. Mr. T. H. Thomas, after distri- buting the certificate?, gave an addreea on IIIE advantages of technical mstfuotion. j