The Cambrian

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF LORDS.—MONDAY. Lord Carliugford, in reply to the Duk aofRicbmo? <1, stated that the Ontario had arrived at L'verpooL li iv, on board 31 cattle and 7 sheep affected with foot-and- mou'b disease, Those animals came arnoiiiz m-nv others from Purtland in the United States, but ther- was reason to believe that the Ontario had brought tile di-eise from Liverpool on an outward voyage. Tnc di-ea-d emtio und sheep which had come in her from Po rtland had been slaughtered at Liverpool and ainon<r the other precautions taken was that of prohibiting for the present, the importation of ariim-tU from Portland. The Contagious Diseases (Animals) Bill, of which Lord Cirlingtord has charge, was advanced a stage bv the receipt of t.ic report of amendment*, and the Law ot Evidence Amendment Bill, of which Lord Brain wt 11 has charge, went through Committee, The Bishop of Ely moved the second reading of the M jrriai^es Legislation (Sto[is ley, Bedfordshire) Bll, the obj'-cr, of which is to clear up all doubt as to the legality of the marriages solemnized in the Stopsley church before it was consecrated. The Lord Cbmcellor, while offering no opposition to the Bili, suggested that the Right R-vercnd Bench should promote a general measure to meet all cases of t'lis kind. The Bill was read a second time. Their lordships adjourned at 25 minutes to .5 o'clock. HOUSE OF COMMONS.- MONDAY. In answer to Mr. Gibson, Lord E. Fitzmaurice said that no women and children of the Sinkat garrison had reached Suakim but as the soldiers carried their wive* with them, it was conjectured that they were killed. The fate of the children was more uncertain. Asked as to the date of that telegram, the noble lord could give no information. In answer to Sir S Northcote, Lord Hartington said that the telegram from Admiral Hewett announcing the fall of Tokar was only received on Sunday night. There was, therefore, no necessity for suspenling military operations, but giving him full discretion under certain contingencies. His principal object was to secure the safety of Suakin. But in answer to several questions which Mere put to him by Sir H. Wolff and others, he said it would not be expedient to go into the details of the General's instructions. In answer to Baron H. de Worms, Mr. Gladstone said that the text of General Gordon's proclamation has been received and laid on the table. It differed some- what from the translation in The Times: but be saw no reason for laying the Arabic text on the table. In answer to Mr. Agnew, Mr. Gladstone said neither the Government nor the Trustees of the National Gal- lery had received any overtures for the purchase of the Blenheim Collection, and he believed it would be entirely premature for the Government to take the initiative. Mr. Gladstone, in moving a vote of thanks to the bpeaker on his retirement, dwelt first on the great In- crease in the ducies and difficulties of the Chair, and was warmly cheered from both sides in declaring that but for the tact, firmness, and courage displayed by Sir H. Brand those difficulties would have been gravely increased. A deep sense of gratitude, therefore, he went on to say, burned in every breast, and the House earnestly desired that many years of public service and private u-efulness might be "pared to the Speaker. Sir S Northcote, in seconding the motion, gave ex- pression to the deep feeling of regret universal on the Opposition Benches at the Speaker's retirement, and the high appreciction of the value of his services, and added a few words expressing his own individual gra- titude for the wise counsel and generous assistance often received from the Speaker. Mr. Parnell, speaking on behalf of the Irish mem- bers, said that while they were desirous of acknow- ledging the personal courtesy and consideration always extended to them by the Speaker, the conviction that his action had produced injustice and wrong and hard- ship to their country would:compel,tbem to say "Nu'' to the motion. Mr. O'Donnell also referred to certain acts of the Speaker which had been detrimental to the interests ot the Irish party, and maintained that during his term of office a change had come over the House of Com- mons favourable to the Government and disastrous to private members. Lord H. Lennox, Mr. Xewdegatc, and Mr. Gregory supported the motion, which was carried unanimously, with the exception of a few Noes from the Irish Benches. The Speaker acknowledged the vote in a short speech of much feeling, and took occasion to thank the Clerk of the House and the other permanent officers for the assistance they had rendered him. On the motion of Mr. Gladstone, the Speaker's words were ordered to be entered in the journals of the House, and the usual address to the Crown was also agreed to. Mr. Labouchere then asked leave to move the ad- journment of the House in order to call attention to the position of the British Forces on the coast of the Red Sea. Being asked, In accordance with the Standing Order, whether he was supported by 40 members, a considerable number of members on both sides rose, mostly below the gangway, and Mr. Labouchere thereupon proceeded to call attention to the "Jingo" articles in the London Press, and to call on the Govern- ment to rupudiate the blood-thirsty incitements addressed to them and to give some assurance that they i were not about to undertake^military operations in the Soudan. Mr. Asbmead-Bartlett, who spoke in favour of the motion, justified it by the total want of confidence which the vacillation and imbecility of the G iverri- merit had produced and after some remarks from Mr. Cowen, who thought it impossible for the House to j conduct a campaign. Lord Hartington repeated his unwillingness to go f into details, warning the House that anything which occurred here, and which could be useful to Osmar. Digma, would be known to him very rapidly. The policy of defending the ports of the Red Sea had been proclaimed and accepted by the House, and it was evident be argued, that for preventive and defensive purposes it might under some circumstances be necessary to adopt offensive measures. Moreover, the Government were not yet in possession of full inform- ation as to the state of affairs by which General Graham was surrounded; consequently, they could not yet make up their minds as to the instructions to be given to him. Lord R- Churchill insisted that the House had last week rejected the Vote of Censure on the express understanding that General Graham's expedition was to be limited to the relief of Tokar, and that Lord Hartington's plea was a mere idle and frivolous pre- text to cover some bloodthirsty and vindictive design. Sir W. Lawson pressed the Government to make some declaration which would contradict the design attributed to them by the noble lord, and inveighed against the abominable, outrageous, and disgusting incitements of the London Press. Mr. Gladstone enforced Mr. Cowen's remark that the House of Commons was not competent to conduct a military campaign, and pointed out that long before the relief of Tokar came into view the Government had announced its intention of defending Suakin. At no time had they used language about vindictive operations which could justify Lord R. Churchill's odious accusations or Sir W. Lawson's misgivings. Sir S. Northcote, while admitting the justice of the Ministerial plea for reserve, remarked that very soon it would be necessary to have a full explanation of their policy under the new circumstances, after<which the motion was negatived. On the adjourned debate on two Standing Committees being resumed, after some remarks from Mr. Monk, Mr. Molloy moved the appointment of a Standing Committee tor Irish business consisting of the Irish members. Mr. Parnell supported ft with great earnestness; but Mr. Gladstone objected to it on various grounds, but mainly because it was based PJ1 the idea that these Committees were to consist of specialists, which would be fatal to them as instruments for doing buainess, and also because all that was asked at present was the renewal of last year's experiment. Sir G. Campbell, Mr. C. Russell, Mr. Sexton, Mr. O'C. Power, and others supported the motion, which Mr. Gibson thought looked rather like an attempt to forward Home Rule. Mr. Beresford-Hope opposed the Standing Committees altogether, while Mr. Gregory was favourable to the system if it were confined to non-contentious business. Mr. Raikes also opposed the amendment as an instalment of Home Rule; and Colonel Nolan, Mr. Findlater. and others spoke, after which it was negatived by 160 to 40. Several other amendments were proposed, but none were pressed to a division, and ultimately the resolution reviving the Sfandins? Committee* was agreed to, with the limitation sueeested by Sir B. Leighton that no Bill coming down from a Standing Committee shall ba taken into con- sideration for the first time after August 1 The House adjourned at I o clock, and when the House broke up the members present shook hands with the Speaker and gave him a parting cheer as he left the Chair. HOUSE OF LORDS—TUESDAY. Prince Henry of Prussia, who had accompanied the Prince of Wales to the House, occupied a place in front of the throne. Lord Wemyss, who had given notice of his intention to ask the Government what policy they intended to pursue in the portion of the Soudan to which General Graham is advancing, refrained from making that inquiry in consequence of Ministerial replies given in the House of Commons on the previous evening but with much emphasis, he told Her Majesty's Ministers that they should supply the gallant officer with every- thing necessary for carrying out their policy, and warded them against sheltering themselves behind General Graham. j Lord Huntley, who had only arrived in this country from the East within the previous 48 hours, stated that the questions asked in both Houses were known throughout the Turkish dominions within a few hours after they were put and answered, and he could assure ,Y 2i their lordships that the cacocthcs loquendi of Parliament did much misi hief. L rd Granville folio-ved the course taken by his col- leagues in the other House and declined to give detai!s as to the instructions to General Graham but he stated that the Governtnenant had no intention t > hide their responsibility behind that gallant comrr ander. Lord Silisbury could not concur with Lord Huntley in what he had said as to the cacoethes loquendi of Par- liarnent. It members of either II .u.-e asked questions .astowhatwastobedonetbeywerecensnred. If they did not, they were afterwilrds told that they wer,, responsible for what had been done. After wh it had occurred in the case of Hicks Pasha and B ,k"r Pasha, when dishonour was cast, if not on English troops, on the soldieM of an ally, owin(,, to the optimism of Her Majesty's Government, the Opposition were justified in warning Her Majesty's Government of a danger which | he was the less disposed to underrate when he found that the Egyptians at lokar preferred to surrender to a nominal enemy rather than accept the assistance of a I nominal friend. Lord Kimberley characterized Lord Salisbury's desire to make the Government responsible for the operations of Hicks Pasha as they were for those of General Graham as an audacious a'tempt to prejudic- the proceedings of Her Majesty's Ministers and dis- par:i<ie tlieir policy. Lird Dunraven thought it would not be difficult to show tlut practically there was no difference in the responsibili'v of the Government in each of those case* Parliament ought to know what the policy of the Government was, and if the rpports which appeared in the papers of what was being done in E^pt and the Soudan were not true the Government ought to .contr.tdtcttbem. P Lor^ Morfle-v P^ed against the doctrine that the whi^h1"8" t0 cont;radict newspaper reports, while he assured the Honss n > M'° nuuse that General Graham's force was properly equipped. Lord Harwicke sbserved that but for the newspaper corespondents Parliament and the country would know little of the events in Egypt and the Soudan, so reticent were the Government on the subject. In this respect Parliament did not receive from the Government the consideration it had a right to expect but if Grahams force met with disaster in consequence of the shortcomings of the Government, not even the cohesion of the Liberal Party would save them from punishment. Their lordships rose at 25 minutes to 6 o'clock. HOUSE OF COMMONS.—TUESDAY. At 4 o'clock the Sergeant at Arms entered the House bearing tho mace which he placed under the table, and the Chief Clerk, Sir. T. E. May being seated in his chair at the table, Mr. Gladstone informed the House that Her Majesty, having been informed of Sir H. Brand's resignation, gave leave to the House to proceed to the election of a new Speaker. Mr. Whitbread then rose amid loud cheers from the Ministerial benches, and addressing Sir E. May, who also rose and pointed at him with his tinger, nominated Mr. Arthur Peel. After adverting to the loss which the House h"d sustained by the resignation of Sir II. Brand, and which he said made the responsibility of proposing a successor all the graver, he touched on the only objection which had been urged out of doors to Mr. Peel-that he had been connected with the Government pointing out that four of the most distinguished Speakers of the century—Sir J. Milford, Mr. Abbott, Mr. Manners-Suttcn, and Mr. Abererombv—had been in office. The question, however, for the House to consider was whether the man to whom their choice was directed was a f .ir-minded man, and one capatile of dealing with \he questions of ordlJr now constantly raised, and calling for an immediate and unassisted judgment. After dwelling on the various qualifica- tions required for the office-the authority of which, he pointed out, depended on his possession of the entire confidence of the House-he concluded by expressing a profound conviction that they were all largely possessed by Mr. Peel, of whom he said that those who were most intimate with him had the strongest faith that he would prove himself a worthy inheritor of the great Par- liamentary name which he bore. Mr. Rathbone seconded the nomination, and expressed his satisfaction that the House was able to command the services of the son of an illustrious statesman, in whom, he felt sure, would be found all the qualities necessary to fulfil the great traditions of the office. Mr. Peel. who sat next to his seconder at the end of the third Ministerial bench, then addressed the House, and after thanking his mover and seconder for the terms in which they had spoken of him, he said he was under no illusion as to the causes which had led to thr. presentation of his name. He knew that there were others on both sides of the House more competent to discharge the great office of Speaker, and he knew what he owed to the fact that he was the son of a statesman whose labours were identified with the House of Commons. He was conscious of the responsibility which attached to the office, but if elected he should be encouraged by the great example of his predecessor, and by the consciousness that if he did his duty he might depend on the moral support and assistance of the House. Furthermore, he said he knew how necersary it was that on taking the chair he should lay: aside all personal and party considerations. Trusting to the support of the House, he should endeavour to maintain the privileges of the House, to maintain its rules and orders, its writen and unwritten law, and. above all, to maintain that personal courtesy between member and member which he believed to be compatible with the most effective party debates. With these words Mr. Peel humbly submitted himself to the House, and placed himself at its disposal. No other candidate being proposed, 11r. Whitbread and Mr. Ratbbone, taking Mr. Peel by the hand, con- ducted him in the ancient form to the chair, and standing on the steps, The speaker elect, amid loud cheers from all parts of the House, thanked the House for its indulgence, and promised that his best energies would be devoted to its service. He then took the chair. The Serjeant at Arms having placed the mace on the table, Mr. Gladstone, as leader of the House, and dissocating himself for the occasion from his party connexion, offered the congratulations of the House to the Speaker elect. It was with no common gratifi- cation, he said, that he discharged this duty towards the son oftb" man for whose character he retained the most profound veneration, and he felt the utmost con. fidence that he would discharge the duties of the office with that impartiality which should be its central and vital quality. Mr. Gladstone further intimated that he had it in command from Her Majesty that the Speaker elect should be presented in the House of Lords at 2 o'clock to day for Her Majesty's approval. Sir S. Northcote, on behalf of the Opposition, lX- pressed their cordial agreement in the sentiments of the mover and seconder, and their full confidence that the Speaker elect, in his own words, would divest himself of all party feeling, and would extend his impartial protection to all parts of the House. Mr. O'Donnell, who had attempted to addres the House when Mr. Peel was being installed, made some observations, expressing his hope that the new Speaker would revert to the ancient ways, and The House then adjourned.

THE PROVINCIAL INSURANCE COMPANY. The :iist Annual Meeting of the Provincial Insurance Com- pany was held on Friday, February 2-nd, at the Company's Offices, Wrexham, Mr. Thomas Barnes, chairman of the Company, presided, and there were present: —Messrs J. All- mand, John Bury, Thomas Bury (Town Clerk), C. G-. Bayley (Oswestry), George Bradley, Ashton Bradley (solicitor), E. A. Cross, Dr. Davies, Dr. Eyton-Jones, Messrs A. Wilson Edwards, Charles Griffiths, John James, E. Dowries Jones, H. Venables Kyrke, Herbert Lewis, M.A. (solicitor), J. Milligan, Benjamin Owen, It. J. Po.vell, R. Peters, William Roberts, Evan Kow- land, J. B. Wakeford, and John Francis, secretary. THE REPORT OF THE DIRECTOTS read as follows: The Directors beg to present to the shareholders their report for the year ended the 31st December, 18S3, together with a statement of the Company's Accounts for the same period, and balance sheet as at the close of the year. The total income of the Life Insurance Department for the year, after deducting £ I,8S7 16s ltd, premiums paid for re-assurances, amounted to There is included in this the sum of profit realised on the sale of securities. The Life Assurance Fund amounted at the end of the year to £ 281,682 12s 4d, there having been added to it as the result of the year's operations the sum of £\i,6Si) 7s 6d. This fund, being accumulations from premiums and interest, now amounts to more than eight and a half times the premium income. The whole of the funds combined amounted at the close of the year to £293,637 Is. 9d. The total interest earned upon the investments during the twelve months was £ 12,048 7s. Id. This sum represents upon the whole of the assets, invested and uninvested, a percentage of t4 5s. lid.; and upon the invested assets alone a percentage of E4 12s. id. The claims under Life Policies, with the bonuses thereon, amounted to £:!4,1:{ 10s. 2d, the number of deaths being Ü6, and the amount of claims in respect of 2.-) Endowment Assurances which matured in the course of the year was £3 760 9s. Od. The Company has since its commencement discharged claims under its life policies amounting in the aggregate to over Four Hundred and Forty eight Thousand Pounds. The Directors who retire by rotation are Messrs. John James and Charles Hughes, who being eligible, offer themselves for re- election. The shareholders will recollect that the seat on the Board rendered vacant by the death of Sir Hugh Owen was not tilled at the time. The Directors have now pleasure in saying that Sir Robert A. Cunliffe, Bart., M.P., having consented to till the vacancy they elected him accordingly, and confidently rely upon the approval and confirmation of the act by the share- holders. The dividend payable this year will be remitted on or about the 1st of March, 18j4. Thomas Barnes, Chairman- The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the report and statement of accounts, said Grentlemen,—It is not my in- tention to occupy much time, or to trouble you with many remarks, but there are one or two observations which perhaps it may be well for me to make. To begin, then, with the Life Assurance Fund. This you will observe has been increased from £ -272,002 to £ 281,682. This increase, though not so large as last year's, still shows a satisfactory growth, and the fund forms a guarantee of undoubted adequacy and strength for the protection of our policy-holders. I have urged before that there is nothing in connection with a company doing Life Assurance business that calls for more careful and conscientious attention on the part of all concerned than the condition of this fund. The public are tempted to look sometimes to bonuses as the lirst thing, and sometimes- to the rate of premiums charged, and sometimes to other points, but undoubtedly the tirst and foremost consideration should be the state of this fund. Not merely its amount, remember,—for that may reach to millions and yet be inadequate,—but its proportion to the premium income, or to the liabilities under the policy contracts. This, and the care with which the fund is invested, are matters of primary importance. It is a serious thing for a man to trust the protection of his family at the time of his death, many years hence, perhaps, to a fund that may already be frail and unequal to the burden of liabilities resting upon it. It is satisfactory to believe that there are very few British Offices indeed whose funds are not quite sufficient for all their under- takings. Still the increasing stress of competition, the down- ward tendency of the rate of interest, and the growing difficulty of finding suitable investments, that are both safe and satisfactorily productive, occasion no little anxiety, and call for uneeasiug care and watchfulness. Re- ferring to the investments, I may state that the amount derived from them last year, including what was realised as profit on securities sold was £ 13,476 17s. 2d. Of this tl2,618 7s. id., represented interest, dividends, and rents. This return represents a rate of e4 5s. 1 id. per cent. if we take the whole of the assets embraced in the balance sheet, whether invested or not; or a per centage of e4 12s. ld. when we take into account only the assets actually producing interest, "f course there is in the accounts of all companies like ours a certain proportion more or less of money which, while forming part of the assets, is yet not immediately available for investment. I should mention that in the per centage I have just named only the interest, dividends, and rents, are taken into account. The rate of interest as you will probably have noticed shows a slight decrease. The change in the arrangement for paying life policy claims which 1 announced last year is doubtless responsible for some of this small reduction. Still I am quite sure that that change will eventually in itself prove what will practically be a remunera- tive investment. Every concession that" e can properly and safely make tending to liberise the conditions of our polices, and to make sums assured not only more secure, but more promptly available \I hen the policies fall in cannot fail, not only to attach existing clie ts more closely to us but also to win others to join us. You will remember that the change I have just referred to was the resolution of the Board to pay all claims under life policies immediately after proof of death an,l title instead of after the customary delay of several weeks. We have reason to know that this concession has already been appreciated, Referring to the premium income, the slight recoil observable is we trust but temporary, and will doubtless be by many accounted for by the corresponding contraction in the items of commission and expenses on the other side of the account. The year just passed was not one which offered much encouragement to adventurous outlay. Some of our friends think we are too cautious in this respect, and that with a fair trial we should find a more enter- prising expenditure to pay. There is some truth in this, no doubt, the principal difference between us probably being when to spend rather than how. We shall, under any circumstances, continue watchful, not only to tike advantage of opportunities and men as they appear, but to seek for them. The principal item in the disbursement side of the account is that of claims. The amount here is larger than in the year 1882, arising from the fact that the number of deaths was eleven more than in that year. It is satisfactory to notice that the average age at death is as high as in 1-82, the average last year being 602 years, and in the previous year 601. (Hear, hear.) Speaking of claims in connection with deaths, I am reminded that there is another class of claims, viz., those coming under the head of Matured endowments." This is a form of Assurance to which, perhaps, too little attention has been paid hitherto. It appeals to all who are anxious to combine with an assurance of some- thing to leave behind in case of more or less early death, the certainty of having something for themselves should they survive to middle life or to advanced age. This, some will regard perhaps as an attempt at a solution of the old problem of both eating your cake and having it. Well, how. ever it may be about that, it certainly does offer an admirable solution of a difficulty felt by a large number of persons who are urged to assure. And I may say that I have myself fre- quently commended it to young men in my own neighbourhood and elsewhere as the easiest, safest, and altogether most satisf ctory form of investment they can adopt. I hope that many other shareholders will do likewise, and that they will ask the secretary for a supply of explanatory papers. Before leaving the subject of claims, I should like to remind you of the fact mentioned in the report that we have now payed in claims under various forms of Assurances the large sum of .e448,472-nearly half a million of money. The amount pa d for surrenders is a little less than in 188. We are always glad to see any diminution in the withdrawals, and certainly there is a gratifying reduction as compared with some past year As this improvement cannot well be attributed to improved times, seeing that, though I ng expected, they have not yet come, I think we may take some credit to ourselves for it. We have always regarded it, not only as an unfortunate thing for the office, which has been at some trouble and some expense to get the business, but a still more unfortunate thing for the man himself and those depending upon him, when a policy is abandoned. We have therefore sought by every safe and fair means, to make it easy to policy-holders to keep with us through times of temporary difficulties, while we have also endeavoured to meet fairly the esses of those who have felt compelled, for some reason, comlpetely or partially to relinquish their policies. I need not recapitulate to you the several alternatives we offer to policy-holders to preserve their policies. Borne I mentioned last year, and they are set forth in our papers. Returning to the accounts, I have already alluded to the reduction in the items of expenses and commission. There is, however, one item which I should like to advert to for a moment. I mean that of bad debts. You will possibly remember that we had nothing against this item either in 1881 or 1882, and this year we have only the small sum of £11 13s. lOd. and this is all that we have lost by agents ac- counts during the last three years. (Hear, hear.) We collected during that period premiums amounting in the aggregate to close upon £ 100,000, and I think you will admit that this is a fact which speaks volumes for the quality of the men who act as our representatives. (Applause.) With regard to the An- nuity Account, it may be well I should remind you that we are not at present actively inviting transactions in this department. We consider that it is a time rather for pausing than pushing, but if a more favourable time should arrive we can then avail ourselves of it. Annuities have not hitherto been regarded as a source of much profit, and some offices have abandoned tbem altogether. I don't know, gentlement, that I have anything further to say, except to remind you that we appear before you as a Board on this occasion strengthened by the addition of a new member in Sir Robere Cunliffe, who was during the list year elected to till the seat that was vacated by the lamented departure of our dear friend Sir Hugh Owen. Sir R.ibert Cun- liffe needs no introduction or commendation from me, as you know him very well, and I feel assured you will most cordially confirm the action of the directors in electing him. (Hear, hear.) I have now only to move that the report and statement of accounts be adopted. (Applause.) Mr. Charles Hughes had much pleasure in seconding the resolution, observing that the chairman had gone so carefully and lucidly through all the subjects dealt with in the report that it would not be necessary for him to further occupy their time by adding anything to what had been already so well said. The resolution having been carried unanimously. The Chairman moved the confirmation of the election by the Board of Directors of Sir Robert Cunliffe, Bart., M.P. Mr. Kyrke seconded the motion, and said he thought they might congratulate themselves that a gentleman of position and well-known business habits like Sir Robert Cunliffe had been induced to join the Board. (Applause.) Carried unanimously. Mr. G. Bradley had great pleasuae in moving the re-election of Mr. John James and Mr. Charles Hughes as Directors of the Company, and the thanks of the proprietors to the Board for their services during the year. They all knew that the two great elements in the management of a business like that were judgment and experience, and the two gentlemen who were before them that day for re-election were pre-eminent in these characteristics. (Hear, hear.) He was sure there would be entire unanimity in the acceptance of this resolution, and he had very great pleasure in moving it (Applause.) Mr. C. Gr. Bayley having seconded the resolution, it was carried unanimouslv. Mr. Charles Hughes returned thanks for himself and Mr. James for a continuance of the shareholders confidence in re- electing them. He believed their company was as sound in its financial position as any in the country, and he could assure them that no interest or effort needful on the part of the direc- tors to secure its progress would be lacking. Mr. Ashton Bradley moved the re-election of Mr. John Bury. Wrexham, and Mr. John Jones, Chester, as auditors of the company. He felt quite sure that the shareholders had the greatest confidence in these gentlemen, and that their re-election would be unanimous. (Applause.) Mr. J. Milligan seconded the resolution, which was carried unanimously. Mr. John Bury, in returning thanks for this expression of renewed confidence in himself and colleague, said Mr. John Jones was unavoidably absent on important business elsewhere, otherwise he would have had great pleasure in being present that day. Mr. Jones had told him, however, that he was to be sure to congratulate the shareholders on his behalf upon the success of the company as exhibited in the balance sheet. He (Mr. Jones) was exceedingly pleased with what he had observed during the course of the audit, and as regarded the accounts, he (Mr. Bury) must bear witness that they were very carefully and accurately kept, and reflected great credit upon the secre- tary and the staff of clerks under him. (Hear, hear.) The vouchers appeared to be carefully examined by the directors, aud the securities had all been produced to the auditors. The company seemed to be worked very economically and efficiently, and, as they gathered from the report and the expressions of the chairman, there was every prospect of success in the future. (Applause.) Mr. Kyrke said he felt justified in proposing the next resolu- tion rather than leaving it to one who was not a Director, because he saw rather more than one who was a shareholder only would do, and he could truly say that he was sure if it were not for the exertions of Mr. Francis and his staff the Com- pany would not now be in its present satisfactory position. (Hear, hear.) He had, therefore, great pleasure in moving a vote of thanks to the secretary and his staff. (Applause.) mi. c. It. Bayley cordially seconded the resolution, and it was carried unanimously. Mr. Francis said that he and the staff were very much en- courageil by the expressed appreciation of their services by the Directors and shareholders. A considerable number of the staff had a three-fold interest in the success of the Company, being servants in the first place, and several of them policy-holders and shareholders. They thus gave the best possible proofs of their confidence in the Company. As he said before, they all took the greatest interest in working for its success. He begged to return thanks, on his own behalf and on behalf of the staff, both in Wrexham and London, for the vote accorded to them. (Applause.) Mr. Charles Hughes moved that the cordial thanks of the meeting be given to the chairman. (Applause.) Dr. Eyton-Jones seconded the resolution, and it was carried by acclamation. The Chairman having acknowledged the compliment, the mating terminated.

♦ DISASTERS AT SEA. The barque Minstrel King, of Swansea, arrived at Falmouth on Monday, and reported passing on the 7th, in latitude 31.45 north, longitude 3G.10 west, a ship bottom end up, the ending projecting 12ft. above water. Epbratah, brig, Cardiff for Sta. Catherina, has put into Milford Haven with loss of maintopgallant sail, iriainstaysail, and part of bulwarks gone. Inheritance, Liverpool for Appledore, has put into Ramsey Bay on her beam ends, with loss of starboard bulwarks., head, sails, upper foretopsail ship unmanage- able and making water. The Frank, Norwegian barque, from Porsgrund for Porthcawl, with pitwood, has been in collision with a Dutch ship, name unknown, carrying away bowsprit, jibboom, &c., and losing both anchors. The Henri Marie, from Swansea for Nantes, in a dan- gerous position at Littlehaven, St. Bride's Bay, has been brought into Milfoid Haven by a tug sent out by the French Consul. The One, from Sw^jsea for Z Inzibar, with coals, put into Falmouth on Saturday, crew refusing duty. The steamer Ransome, of Penzince, while leaving Porthcawl on Friday evening, fouled the breakwater, and was obliged to put back. She was leaking badly. Tl:e Glendovey, Captain Williams, from Cardiff to Iquique, has put into Falmouth leaky and damaged. The Jupiter, barque, Grimstadt to Porthcawl, was driven up to Penarth Roads in the gale. The Kelvin, barque, parted both anchors and chains in Penarth Roads, and drove ashore. The Schmidt, Cardiff for Singapore, at Falmouth, with loss of maintopsail and gear, foretopsail, topgallant and royal yards. The steamer Cleddy, of Cardiff, at Marseilles, with bridge gone and deck torn up, front bridge, rail, bulwarks, side companion, chart-house, and galley gone, with other damage. The Tredegar, schooner, of Minehead, drove ashore in the gale at Milford Haven, keel and garboard badly damaged. The Florence, Swansea to Huelva, has put into Fal- mouth with loss of sails and bulwarks. The Sea Flower, from Newport, parted anchor and went ashore at Rosslare, South Bay, Wexford, on Thurs- day night, and is full of water. The crew saved by rocket apparatus. The Premier McKenzie, barque, Newport (Mon.) to Santos, drove ashore in the late gale at Cheek Point, on the Wexford side of Waterford river, but is expected to come off. The Henry, of Bridgwater, and the G. and W. Jones, of Portmadoc, were in collision near Milford. The latter lost jibhoom and headgear, and the stem also started. The J.W.J., of Truro, collided with a troopship, near Milford. Damage to the schooner considerable. Lusignano, Austrian barque, from Cardiff with coals, after having been down Channel several days, has put back to Penarth Roads very leaky and with loss of bul- warks. Will dock for repairs. Peerless, of and for London, from Mauritius, with sugar, 160 days out, was driven to Penarth Roads, and is reported short of provisions. Pembroke Castle, barquentine, for Coquimbo, has put back to Swansea, with loss of boats and galley. also one man, having encountered a heavy gale in 45 N., 13 W. The Pownal. of Swansea, when off the Bar Lightship on the 22nd inst.. was run into by an outward bound steamer, apparently of about 2000 tons, was struck on the port quarter, and sustained considerable damage. All hope of th" safety of the Scarborough smack Empress, with her crew of five lives, has been abandoned, The barque Santa Rosa, of Liverpool, Captain Archer, from Glasgow, with a general cargo, for Valparaiso, put into Queenstown on Sunday night in a disabled state, and with loss of the chief officer and three seamen. The Santa Rosa left Glasgow on the 7th. On the following day, while they were engaged in securing the anchor, the chief officer fell overboard and was drowned. On the 16th, while the vessel was off the Irish coast, she en- countered a severe gale, and two boats were carried away and two othent damaged. On Sunday morning the brigantine Rosevear, of St. John's, Newfoundland, 179 tons register, was towed into omp' Plymouth. She is, comparatively speaking, a wreck. Her voyage has been a remarkable one in many respects. The crew have undergone terrible sufferings, and when the vessel was boarded by the pilots off the Eddystone they found the crew in an exhausted condition, while the ship presented a sad appearance. After leaving Newfoundland they met with fair weather until the 7th, when bad weather with variable winds was encountered. This continued until the 11th, when a heavy gale sprang up from the north-west. Just about the height of the gale a heavy sea. broke over the vessel, carrying away some of the bulwarks. The weather subsequently moderated, but on the morning of the 14th a terrific storm, with a heavy cross sea, sprang up from the north- west. About noon a tremendous sea, which had been observed for some time bearing down on the vessel, struck her on the starboard bow, carrying everything before it. The mate, William Doun, a native of New- foundland, who did not make for the forecastle, was carried away. The vessel was left a wreck. One of the men was lashed to the wheel, while the captain and crew were lashed to the pumps- After six hours' continuous pumping the crew succeeded in freeing the ship of water. The cargo was then thrown overboard, and the wind and sea having gone down the crew managed to bring the vessel to Plymouth. The steamer Parklands, bound from Baltimore to Cork, with wheat, landed at Cork on Sunday three able sea- men, the survivors of the crew of the ship Ada Barton, of West Hartlepool, bound from St. John's, with a cargo of deals. The vessel left St. John's on the 25th January, and experienced fair weather until the 2nd February, when a severe gale was encountered. Between that and the 11th a succession of gale,, took place. The mate, Oguels, was carried overboard by being struck by the mainstaysail. On the 11th the deck cargo broke adrift, and the timber washing about the decks stove in the main deck. The sea washeJ over the vessel, and she was thrown on her beam ends. This was after the rudder had been removed. The captain, second mate, and six of the crew took shelter in the rigging, and were washed away and drowned. A portion of the rigging was algo carried away, and this had the effect of righting the vessel. She had meanwhile become waterlogged, and the three survivors fitted up some shelter in the poop. They were standing in water for five days without anything to g eat or drink, and on the 16th they were picked up by the steamer Parklands.

WEATHER FORECASTS. The forecasting of storms and weather-changes is generally supposed to be wrapped in mystery, and the rules which have from ti'ne to time been lall down for the assistance of the would-be forecaster, to say the least, only experimental, whereas as a fact the general principles,can be demonstrated with almost perfect accuracy. Failures must of course sometimes happen, but then 11 the exception proves the rule and there are certainly cases on record of great storms having broken on our shores with little or no warning accom- panied by heavy rains but it must be remembered that most of the great storms which visit us have an extraordinary high rate of locomotion. Within the last quarter of a century, however, considerable strides have been made in satisfactory forecasting, in great measure due to the careful investigation of this in- teresting subject by the late Admiral Fitz-Roy. Everybody thinks he understands the barometer, and many are guided entirely by it, even in the common- place matter of allowing, or not, as the case may be, an umbrella to accompany them in their walks abroad but still the barometer, although the best meteorological instrument we have, is not quite the safe guide m< st people think it is. The fact is, it merely gives the weight of the air above it, and one reading must not be expected to give any idea as to what the coming weather will be. It is the change in the weight of the atmos- phere which makes the barometer a weather guide. A sudden or a rapid fall is a certain sign of bad weather, and the sooner a rise begins the shorter will be the stay of such unpleasing times but neveitheless no confidence can be placed in weather forecasts resulting from the observation of one barometer. Observations, to be of any value, should be made simultaneously at neigh- bouring places, so that the changes which take place over a large tract of country can be watched this, with the observation of certain clouds, sometimes called "mare's tails," form the main features of weather forecasting. Some countries are better adapted than forecasting. Some countries are better adapted than others for successful forecasting, and most other coun- tries have the advantage over us in this respect, owing to the fact that most changes in the weather have their rise in the westward (i.e., in the Temperate Zone), and move eastward, so that they reach us from the Atlantic direct, and we have no opportunity of finding out what is taking place immediately to the west of us. This will account for the American meteorologists being more successful in their weather prophecies than we are; their eastern shore being their principal trade coast, and the storms travelling eastward, they have merely to get information by telegraph from the west, and then they are well prepared for whatever comes. The majority of the storms which blow in the temperate zone of the northern hemisphere belong to weather systems moving from S.W. toN.E. at the rate of 500 miles per diem; but it d( es no nece-sarilv follow that, because a violent storm is blowing on the western side of the Atlantic Ocean, it will certainly reach us in five days, it may be dis; ersed en route, or its direction altered then, again, a storm may rise in mid-ocean, and reach us without having visited any other shore. It is quite a common thing to hear people declaim against the inaccuracy of the official weather forecasts, which are published daily in our newspapers, but the following figures, extracted from the Annual Report of the Meteorological Office, will show that great reliance may be placed on these forecasts. Tnt: total number of storm warnings justified was 819 per cent., and that of weather forecasts for the various district into which Great Britain is divided varied from 74 per cent, in Scotland to bl per cent. in Scotland N." and" Endand S. while the percentage of justification of the Hay Harvest forecasts" ranged from (j4 per cent, in "England, N.E." to 84 per cent. in EngLand E." and the Midlands.—The Lifeboat Journal.

HORRIBLE Occukrence AT Liverpool.—A shocking tragedy occcurred on Sunday morning in the Mill-road Hospital, Liverpool, where sick paupers belonging to the West Derby Union are accommodated. Thomas Ruther- ford, about 40 years of age, and formerly an inmate of the workhouse, by some means obtained access to the establishment between two and three o'clock, found his way to the room in which Ann Groves, a nurse, slept, and with a razor cut her throat from ear to ear, then attempting to destroy himself by a similar operation. During the struggle Groves had with her assailant she screamed out loudly, and her cries brought to her as- sistance several other officials, when they found her lying in a pool of blood, and in the agonies of death. She eould not speak, but pointed to a corner of the apartment, where her assailant was found lying in a pool of blood, with his throat cut and a blood-stained razor lying beside him. Groves succumbed to her injuries shortly after- wards, but Rutherford still survives, though in a very precarious condition. A police-constable was in attend- ance on him.

ROWLANDS' MACASSAR OIL, known for 84 years as the best and safest preserver of the hair; it contains no lead, mineral nor poisonous ingredients, and ran now also be had in a GOLDEN COLOUR, for fair and golden-haired people and children. Avoid spurious worthless imitations, and ask for JiOWLASDS' MACASSAR OIL, of 20, Hatton Garden, London. Sold eveiy where in usua 4 sizes, 3s. 6d., 7, 10s. 6d. (equal to 4 small), and Can be sent by post on receipt of 3d. above these prices. THAMES and MERSEY LINE. STEAM TO AUSTRALIA. Taking Passengers at through rates to TASMANIA and Tt™ ZEALAND. splendid Steamship GULF OF VENICE, 4,r00 tons ,f 1 iv,,i' r\ 0l),0~horse power, will be despatched fiom .e SYniSTFvao ^s- for ADELAIDE, MELBOURNE, aud Marcl aId aTpTyZuthal2ndeM ath &ravesend on the 20th TTniiciuiwi^ftl; March. Saloon amidslnp-. Most liberal dietaryS' 9 USS- PassenSf''s-. an experienced surglonf'pas^geU^ Appl^oJ.J:lavinl3h-tan,lCo.,?Vo. 27!LeadeXll-street, E.G. DOMINION LINeT REDUCED FARES.—From LIVERPOOT t Thisli„. il SX At Special Low Rates. S iloon from £ 10 10s.:Intermediate from £ 7 7s; Steerage, £ 4 4s. ASSISTED PASSAGES are' granted to Manitoba, the North-West Territory and to all parts of CANADA. Assisted ocean rates for Agricultural Labourers their iamihes, and Female Domestic Servants, £ 3 per Adult- <^eneio1 Labouveis' ^eir Farnil One year^lOs! a yUa''S' Itlfants For Passage Tickets, apply to Flinn, Main and ontgomrry, 24, James-street, Livei, ool • Mr D Powrll, Chemist and Druggist, St. Thomas Swansea' D. Richards, 1, North Parade, Aberystwith The Bristol Channel Steam Packet Company. 1 R E "V ELI N D R A, « follows ft and redLAXD will sail seen occmTencePrw^hteili-1byfny.Uofole" vessels: liberty to tow For the Month of MARCH, 18^- „ SWANSEA AND BR.TSTV>T -r rom Swansea. 1 Saturday 10.0 a.m 8 Monday u,0 a m 7 Friaay ^.30 p.m. 8 Saturday 4.30 a.m. 10 Monday (5.30 p. m 14 Friday 9.0 p.n). 1d Saturday 10.0 a.m. 17 Monday •• 10.3 a.m. 21 Friday 1>0 p m> 22 Saturday 3.0 pm 24 Monday 50 p ,u' 28 Friday 8.0 £ *m; 29 Saturday 9.0 a.m T)__L r'l 4 Tuesday 5,rB* 6 Thursday I /^° p"m- 8 Saturday \Vo "00" J3 Ihursday 7jJ p 9TiUHday 8-° P-m. 18 l uesday 9 30 p 99 ? fUrS,,iay •• 11-0 a.m. ^2 featurday 12.0 night 25 Tuesday 4.0 p.w. 27 Ihursday tf.0 p.m. 29 Saturday 7.0 D. in. -L Auta;-joest uaoin, 5s. Fore Cabin ¡¡s. SWANSEA AND ilfracombje' mm owansea, 12 Wednesday 4.30 p.m. 26 Wednesday 3.30 p.m! }i'rom llfracombe. •• 3.0 p.m. -8 Friday 2.0 p.m. rAK^b:—iiest uanin, os.; Fore Cabin, 4s. Return tw a. Fore, 6s.: Available for one month. ^turn-Best, 8s. Through tickets issued from Swansea via Ilfracombr to all SSS5." »"■« w »> Sh1wShS SWANSEA, PADSTOW AND WADEBRTTlfiP cromawansea. ciom Swansea 10 weJ,est]ay •• lao P.m. ^Wednesday 4.ao p.m. 9fi w»1neSCJay 8-'i" P-ni. 2VXu i'eS; y. 3*30 p.m. .PARES: I HRt. P.» From i'adstow. 7 Friday 1-0 ajr U 1 rid ay 7.0 a.r. 21 Friday 1.0 a.m. -8 Irulay fi.o A m. Llore C;tl)ill 5 12s.; Fore, 8s. Ai,ailable for 28 days. I s heturii-lest, For fU ('tiler Particulars apply t 0 For apply to POCKETT, General Man1\ger, Elltr.lIIce "outll Dock. DIRECT Steam Communication between Liverpool and Swansea. march, 1^4. ,and Bristol Chan x ;T Company's well-know (s.s.) SUNLIGHT ?> tWo Tons. CaptalU T. Wk4'. Is intended to sail from Trafalgar Dock, Liverpool, for Swansea (Calling at Milford when suiheient car^o offers) Unless prevented by any unforseen occnrrem' .T f (with or without Pilots, and liberty to tow ?"0W i 1 uesuay 3.30 p.m. 11 Tuesday 9.u p.m. ,'8 ,},ues'.la>' 2.30 p.m. luesday s>0 p „ ANDFROK Swansea for -Liverpool. (Calling at MILFORD when sufficient cargo offers) I Saturday 7.0 p.m. S Saturday 2.0 p.m. 15 Saturday 6.0 p.m. I 22 .Saturday 1.0 p Saturday (J.0 p.m. DAMib io and .rom Swansea, including cabin fee—Cabin Keturn Tickets—!>s. Swansea to 5s.; Deck 3s. Passengers are requested to take charge if ay « **> »<" ™*«»"" 1?'? 4 Goods intended for the above Steamer fmm 1 be at the South-West Corner of l'rafal-ar rn f\ PJ'° nUSt before the time of sailing. lIdI^»ar Dock wo ours All Goods for .Milfordand neighbonring Ports are landed a a, AGENTS: llv"p00'- Jobn Phillips Milford. OAXIKL MORGAN, Swansea. Steam Between Swansea, Belfast & Glasgow. Steamships Sol way » a 1 y,; "Avon," Captain i55s!»!8r Aiuel, evern, Captain Kennedy Princess Alexanandra," Captain McDougall: or other steamers are^ intended to sail with Goods and Phsspb gers from Ao. i Shed, South Dock Basin (unless pre. vented by circumstances), as follows — SAILINGS FOR MARCH, 1884. From Swassea TO Hkcfast A.M> 5 Wednesday 10.0 p.m. 12 Wednesday 5.0p.m. 19 Wednesday q n n ™ 20 Wednesday 9A £ "• u-oous ior s upmeni 10 rseiiasc ana Glasgow sliouiu be aln'm/ sire -i ednesday mornings. e aiong- Cabin to Belfast 17s. 6d. Deck, 10s. CabIn to Glasgow 20s. Deck, 12s. 6d.; :saIlo,rs, 10s.; Return Tickets, Fare-and-a-half, available for Two Months. Tlckets» For rates of freight and further particulars annl-c+n M. Junes Albiou Chambe'r,, O.ibmJ-pSee Swansea. The Truro t,, en elected president of the WestofEufdami Deaf an.: DumbLst'iiutfon 're8ldent of the Dunn-a drunken squabble at Bath, on Saturday night Mr"Iwr V 0080 bit it off g • ^1™^Ta(?eina will again touch on Roman historT m his forthcoming important picure for th» a a It, tit.. U The V-L „f the Britain, and the scene is laid in a potterv «f th 11 time It can readily be imagined bow wonde.fu! will the detau of colour which the painter will give to the interior of his scene. ° —— —" EMBIUME ^NHEFQRD'S\ WWFffnPHi PTEFRW FLU 1 D I riTi VAW £ 4 wA1 WES1A/ For over Forty Years the Medical Profession have approved of this pure Solution as the best remedy for Acidity of the Stomach, Heatbum, Headache, Gout and Indigestion; and as the safest aperient for delicate Constitutions, Ladies Children and Infants. SOLD BY CHEMISTS THROUGHOUT THE WOULD. CAUTION.—Sec that DIXXEFORD & Co." i- on .Pottle and r.bcl. IN CONSEQUENCE OF IMITATIONS OF R &#sauc?\ HI IB |BB Bf Which are calculatcd^derive thp Pul)lic, LEA & PERRINS beg to draw attention to the fact that each Bottle erf the Original and Genuine WORCESTERSHIRE SAUCE bears their Signature, thus- fi" Sold Wholesale by the Proprietors, Worcester Crosse and Blackwell, London and Export OIlmen generally. Retail, by Dealers in Sauces throughout the World. .LIE131C COM PA NY's EXTRACT OF IM EAT w J CAUTION.-Numerous in TRADS MARK. ferior and low-priced substi- \y tutes being in the market The only brand warranted genuine by wi*h titles, labels the late and present Baron Liebig. ^on110 liebig, ° p^chwers *#* In use in most households throughout the kingdom, must insist upon having the Ask for the Liebig COMPANY'S Extract, and Company's Extract of — Meat. see that no other is substituted for it. N.B.-Genuine ONLY with fac-simile of Baron Liebig's Signature, in Blue Ink across Label.