The Cambrian

CRICKET AND GENERAL ATHLETIC NOTES. [By ARGCS."] BOWLING AND BATTING AVERAGES. The following are the bowling and batting averages of the members of the Swansea C.C. Eleven: — BFTWT.TNG. o M. R, W. AV. A. W. Samuel 113 27 328 37 8;8 J. P. Geoghegan 39 12 ^2 10 9 2 H. B. Letcher 150 45 379 35 10-8 Father Kelly 37 12 100 8 12'5 Creber 173 46 396 25 15"4 W. J. Bancroft. 8 0 31 0 — BATTING. Times Most not in an Inn. out. Runs. Inn. Avg. H. B. Letcher 11 1 288 92 288 E. W. Jones 10 1 238 96 26'4 W. J. Bancroft 14 0 291 81 20-3 A. W. Samuel 11 1 178 57 17-8 J. P. Geoghegan. 11 0 178 47 16'1 Geo. Bowen. 11 1 161 49 16'1 E. Bishop 9 1 115 22 14'3 Sergt. Hollo way. 6 1 46 17 9*2 Creber 12 4 45 13 5*9 The following have played in more than two matches, but have not qualined :— Dr. E. Reid 3 0 119 77 39'6 E. Shepherd 4 1 89 87 29'6 H. A. Sweet 3 1 32 23 16 J. P. Long 3 1 26 22 13 E. Landers 5 0 44 35 88 W. Shepherd 3 0 15 10 5 Father K>lly 5 0 15 12 3 H. Sweet 3 0 7 5 2'3 .1< SWANSEA CHURCH V. ST. JUDES. This League engagement was brought off on Saturday last at r., Clyne Valley, in ideal cricket weather and on a good wicket. St. Judes won the toss and went to the wickets first, but made an indifferent show, their total reaching 45. The chief contributors were G. Cobb (12), W. Whyatt (10), and J. Cobb (7). j St. Judes' small score was due to the good fielding of the Church and also to the bowling, D. Austin taking five wickets for 20 runs, J. Gwyn three for 22, and W. F. Thomas one wicket for no runs. The Church then had a turn at the wickets, J. Gwyn and T. Chegwidden facing the bowling. Both batsmen played careful at first, and then J. Gwyn opened his shoulders and made two four hits in succession. He added another three to his score before being bowled, the first wicket falling for 14. The next few batsmen did not increase the score very much, six wickets being down for 38. Then W. Atkins and F. E. Carr became partners, and made things rather lively, both batsmen scoring freely. 11 The St. Judes' men now seemed to have lost heart, their fielding being very loose. Carr, after making 16, was caught, the seventh wicket falling at 66, having put on 28 runs. W. Bird was the next man in, and knocked up 13 in a very short time, the eighth wicket being down with the score at 90. W. Atkins, after play- ing careful cricket, was last man out, he having contiibuted 23, and the innings closed for 99, the Church thus winning by 54 runs. #*# The following are the scores:— ST. JUDES. G. Jones, b Austin 6 F. Bolitho, c Thomas, b Gwyn 0 G. Cobb, b Austin 12 J. Owens, st Blackmore, b Gwyn. 4 A. White, b Gwyn 2 G. Mitchell, run out 0 J. Cobb, e Carr, b Austin 7 B. O'Hanlon, b Austin 1 W. Whyatt, b Thomas. 10 J. Griffiths, st Blackmore, b Austin. 0 E. Cartright, not out 0 Extras 3 Total. 45 SWANSEA CHURCH. J. Gwyn, b O'Hanlon 11 T. Chegwidden, c Owens, b J. Cobb 8 T. Miles, c Mitahell, b O'Hanlon 3 W. F. Thomas, c Mitchell, b O'Hanlon 1 T. Blackmore, b J. Cobb 0 W. Atkins, c Cartright, b White. 23 Rev. J. Pollock, c Jone;, b J. Cobb. 5 F. E. Carr, c G. Cobb, b Owens. 16 W. Bird, b G. Cobb 13 D. Austin, b G. Cobb 0 D, Price, not out 4 Extras 15 Total 99 SWANSEA SECONDS V. PONTARDAWE. Played at the St. Helen's Field on Saturday last, in splendid weather. The homesters won the toss, and elected to bat first; but with the exception of S. Cook (52), C. S. Coke (14) and E. Landers (14), the display of bat- ting was weak. The innings closed for 108. The Pontardawe men quickly set about their somewhat easy task, aiid aided by the mis- takes of the home fielders, who dropped 1 several catches, they passed the Swansea total for the loss of four wickets. Then came a collapse, the whole team being dismissed for 116. J. Davies, the erstwhile Swansea three- quarter, was chief contributor with a lucky 49. E. Walton secured 2 wickets for 1 run G. E. Bowen and S. Curnow sharing the rest.' #*# The defeat of St. Marks last Saturday by Singleton 2nds was a little surprise, not only to the clubs of the junior league, but possibly also to St. Marks themselves. Surprises are peculiar to cricket. The combined strength of a team, or its individual strength, are not safe things upon which to prophecy the result of a game. There are many causes for these surprises. There is the weather, the state of the ground, and—the setting in of the rot." I do not know that any of these causes account for the defeat of St. Marks' team on Saturday. The win, however, was by a. very small number of runs. A defeat by two runs is not a common occur- rence, but St. Marks have now the reputation of having been beaten in one league match by one run and in another by two #*# The game is stated to have been a very exciting one. C. Bromham made a very good stand for St. Marks. He carried his bat through for 21. For Singleton 2nds, A. Merry and G. Madel batted well. By the matches that were played last Saturday, the positions of the following eleven junior local teams were changed as follows Points. ChristCburch. — 14 Sunny Bank 2nds 12 Rechabites (Cwmbwrla) 12 St. Marks 12 Stepney (Cwmbwrla) 8 Y.M.C.A. 6 St. Judes 2nds. ••• 6 Singleton 2nds 6 Park Llewelyn 4 Swansea Church 2nds 4 Mynyddbach 4 THE LEAGUE CLUBS. The position of the League clubs up to date is as follows :— PL D. WON. DR N. L ST. P TS. | Sw. Church 7 6 0 1 12 Singleton 6 4 0 2 8 Sketty 6 2 0 4 4 Sunny Bank 4 1 0 3 2 St. Jude s 5 1 0 4 2 SWANSEA V. CARDIFF. MATCH DRAWN. Swansea went to Cardiff last Saturday to play the home eleven. The match was for the benefit of Lowe, the Cardiff professional, and took place at the Cardiff Arms Park in the presence of a fair number of spectators. At the commencement of the game the attend- ance was small, but it had grown to a fair size when the game was resumed after lunch. # # # Swansea were without the services of Messrs. E. W. Jones, Dr. Reid, E. Shepherd, and Father Kelly. Thus in their batting strength the Swansea team were greatly handicapped. It is in the memory of those who saw the match between Swansea and Cardiff at St. Helens a few weeks ago how excellent a stand was made by Dr. Reid and E. Shepherd. It was to their long partner- ship that Swansea owed their victory on that occasion. On the Cardiff side J. G. Clarke, V. A. Hickley, and K. R. Marley were absent. Winning the toss, Swansea elected to bat first, and H. B. Letcher and Bishop went to the wickets. At the outset the batsmen played the bowling of Selwyn Biggs and Lowe very cautiously. The former sent down a maiden, but off the third ball of Lowe's first over Letcher got him nicely to leg for a quartette—all run. Both batsmen now put on runs steadily, and with the score at 42 S. Sweet-Escott took the ball from Lowe. Two singles were obtained off the new trundler's first over, but the first ball Bishop received from the next over of Biggs he played on to his wicket. Contrary to expectations, Bancroft, whose brilliant performance in the Glamorganshire v. Monmouthshire match was fresh in the memory, was clean bowled by Selwyn Biggs before he had broken his duck, and the spectators did not fail to show their appreciation of the bowler's success. He was followed by Geoghegan, who unfortunately had to retire with a damaged finger when the score stood at 72 for two wickets. Letcher was partnered by A. W. Samuel. The runs now again came fast, with the result that some bowling changes were made. Shortly after lunch Samuel's wicket was taken by a ball from Biggs. Then q. rot set in, and all the wickets fell for 119 runs. # Letcher was strong and careful with his bat. Displaying marked judgment, he treated difficult balls with apparent ease. He put them away to leg and boundary. There is no doubt that he was disconcerted to an extent by the rot that had set in amongst the last half of his players. But his was a fine innings. It included six fours, two threes, and four twos. # The bowling on the Cardiff side was very good. After luncheon, Lowe bowled five overs and one ball, in the course of which he took three wickets for six runs. During the same period Biggs's analysis was four wickets for nine runs. He bowled six overs, of which three were maidens. # Cardiff began their innings with R. B. Sweet-Escott and Hancock at the wickets, opposed to the bowling of Creber and A. W. Samuel. The batsmen did not pay much respect to the deliveries, and at 35 Creber gave way to Geoghegan, who as a bowler has this season done the club great service. At 47 Samuel took Sweet-Escott's wicket. Before the stoppage of the match, in consequence of rain, he had taken Hancock and Barlow's wickets. He bowled exceed- ingly well, and would probably have caused great trouble to the batsmen that were yet to bat. The match therefore resulted in a draw. The scores were as follow :— SWANSEA. H. x>. Letcher, b Lowe 51 E. Bishop, b S. Biggs 18 Bancroft, b S. Biggs 0 J. P. Geoghegan, retired, hurt. 9 A. W. Samuel, b S. Biggs 11 H. A. Sweet, st Brain, b S. Biggs. 4 G. F. Lloyd, b S. Biggs. 6 H. Sweet, lbw, b S. Biggs 1 Sergt. Holloway, b Lowe 0 H. F. Thomas, b Lowe. 1 Creber, not out 0 Extras. 18 Total 119 CARDIFF. R. B. Sweet-Escott. b A.W. Samuel 30 W. J. Hancock, b (Samuel 22 T. Barlow, b Samuel 17 A. H. Mann, not out 6 W. Mendelson, not out 1 Extras. 3 Total. 79 Umpires—Messrs. D. Warman (Cardiff), Harry Morris (Swansea). BOWLING ANALYSIS. SWANSEA. Overs. Maidens. Runs. Wkts. Lowe 12*1 2 28 3 S. Biggs 24 9 36 6 S. Sweet-Escott 8 1 23 0 W. J. Hancock 3 0 14 0 *„* To-morrow (Saturday) Swansea will play Llandovery at the Cricket Field. Last Saturday the Rechabites played their first fixture with St. Judes 2nds. The match took place on the latter's ground. The home club batted first, and their innings closed with 54. Of that total Bryn White scored 35. Their last five wickets fell for five runs. The Rechabites then went to the wickets, and had scored 68 for eight wickets when time was called. QUOITS. WINDSOR (SWANSEA) v. SKETTY. A return match between the above teams was played on Saturday at the Uplands, Swansea. The former played a splendid game and won by 26 points. Scores. I WINDSOR. I SKETTY. H. Jones (captain) 19 T. Brown (captain) 21 H. Gwyn 21 D. Watkins 12 T. Morgan 21 W. Watkins 11 J. Ray 21 J. Payne 13 W. Williams 16 T. Morris 21 S. Evans 21 D. Brown 10 J.Lucas 21 G.Jones la D. Morgan 14 J. Moon 21 154 128 LLANELLY v. MORRISTON. Llanelly met Morriston on Saturday at Morriston. The homesters were easy victors. Scores:- MORRISTON. LLANELLY. T. J. Jenkins 21 J. Roberts 14 John Powell 21 I. Roberts 20 John Powell 21 1. Roberts 20 J. Davies 18 J. Collins 21 Edwin James 21 D. Harries 12 L. Williams 21 J. Thomas 10 D. Charles (capt.). 21 J. Lovering "9 D. Edwards. 21 J. Naylor 16 J.Morgan u I J. Morris 21 Total. 155 Total. 123 #.# CYCLING. More records have been falling at Catford lately. On Tuesday evening last, Platt-Betts rode a quarter-mile in 23§ sees., beating Johnson's record by 1-5 sec. Later this rider tried the kilometre record, en route reducing the half-mile record to 491 sees. # Thirty miles 588 yards in the hour were ridden by Messrs. Chase and Walters on a tandem during the progress of the North road 24 hours' race. This beats the previous record made a corresponding time last year by nearly four miles. #*# Although the man who puns must of a necessity be a punster, it by no means follows that a girl who spins must be a spinster. Quite the newest development of cycle racing is pacing by an electrically-driven tandem. This was tried at Paris last week with such success that it is believed it will supersede any human-driven pacing instru- ment. #*# During the month of June the exports from England of cycles and cycle parts amounted in value to the sum of £154,487, as compared with £147,956 in the correspond- ing month last year. #*# A lady has sued a French railway company for damage done to her bicycle, for which she claimed 800 francs. Although the bicycle was not packed, the Court held that the company was responsible, and condemned it to pay 250 francs, this in spite of the fact that it obliges cyclists to sign a declaration exonerating it from all risk in case of accident. It is worthy of note that in France cycles are considered personal baggage, and unless a passenger in a train has more than the allotted weight (65 lbs.), including his or her cycle, the only charge for carrying is Id. for the receipt. #*# There is to be a return meeting of the famous chain races. These will probably be held at the Crystal Palace track, now in course of construction, and should prove to be very interesting struggles. =It #*# "All the shot dropped out" was the way in which one of the latest girl converts to cycling spoke of an accident to the bearing of the back wheel of her machine. **# A wonderful change has come over Hyde Park, erewhile so crowded with cyclists that one marvelled accidents were not of daily occurrence exclaims a writer in a lady's paper. "Now riders of the steel horse are few and far between, and mainly of the sterner sex." Probably the seaside has greater attractions during the warm weather. # # In South Africa cyclists, if we may judge from a recent communication, seem to have very little regard for the machines they ride. Path races on the road are said to be quite a common sight in Port Elizabeth, despite the roads being by no means of the ideal order. It speaks well for Dunlop tyres that are all but universal in that part of the world, that they stand up wonderfully the strain so many of them are thus put to. #*# The Pneumatic Tyre Company have in preparation a test showing the wonderful number of wins which have been made on the race path on their famous Dunlop tyres so far this season. When completed it should form very interesting reading indeed. #*# SWANSEA C.C. FIXTURES. The following is the fixture list of the Swansea C.C. for the present season :— FIRST ELEVEN. Aug. 8-Llandovery Home „ 22-Cowbridge. Home 28-Cowbridge. Away „ 29—Llanelly Home SECOND ELEVEN. Aug. 8-Pontardawe Away 15-M. Jenkins' XI. (Baglan) Home „ 27-Gowerton. 0" Away „ 29-Llanelly Away #*# FOOTBALL OATS ABSOLUTELY FOOTBALL OATS CYCLE SALMON BEST. FOWLERS LUNCH TONGUES EXHIBITION APRICOTS Ask EXHIBITION SALMON GROCERS. PRINCES LOBSTER

CYCLING FOR LADIES. By Miss F. J. ERSKINE (Author of Bicycling for Ladies," 4c.). I.—HEALTH AND SOCIAL ASPECTS. The other day, in a ladies' journal, I came across a very good and exhaustive paper on whether, from an hygienic point of view, ladies should cycle. Whether they should or not, ladies are cycling," the author said —" and so far the results seem to be extremely beneficial." On no point, however, has a hotter controversy raged. Perhaps, like other things, the awful tales one heard had a certain very small kernel of truth wrapped up in a great deal of exaggeration. As a matter of fact, the question as to whether it is good or bad for women to ride simply lies in a nutshell. If they ride in season and out of season-if they ride fifty miles where ten ought to be their limit-in short, if in cycling they cast reason and common-sense to the four winds of heaven—then, beyond all doubt, cycling is harmful. Jbor example: Women ought not to race, if they have the slightest regard for their own health and if they do, it is a suicidal policy, which is bound to end in disaster. I say nothing of its influence on the sport. Cycling now is so firmly rooted amongst the sane members of the community, as an easy and cheap form of locomotion, that the racing woman will only hurt herself by her action. As a healthful form of exercise in modera- tion, cycling stands in an exceptionally favourable position. The initial cost of a machine is certainly almost as high as that of a pony-but, then, the p)ny requires its own entourage, to say nothing of a large amount of thought to keep it in good working order. Then, to a pony must be added a cart- another £ 25—harness R.7, groom, shoeing, feeding, bed, clothing; whereas the cycle does not require more than a careful fifteen minutes' cleaning—and fair handling. Added to this, cycling is coming off its uncanny perch as a fashion, and taking the more sober and useful role as a means to an end. And in this lies its strength. If cycling existed only because it was a fashion, its death-knell would have been struck months ago. But it is no mere butterfly sport. Cycling, pure and simple -the" wheels goin' wound," dearly loved of the once famous Budge and Toddie-is, when the acrobatic stage is over, very poor work. There is a limit to the antics one can play on bicycle back, as, in lolanthe, Lord Mount Ararat remarked, One can have too much toffee." But a cycle is the key to so much enjoyment, that we venerate the key because it opens out England and abroad to us. We cyclers can prowl all over England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, by aid of these rubber- tyred hoops. By its help the sketchers can sketch more than ever before, when a com- plicated study of local trains had to be mastered, to get to a place and back. Arch- aeologists can pursue their hobbies with renewed zest-the cycle photographer is an ubiquitous figure all over our roads-and the roads themselves are benefiting largely by the fact that those responsible for their care are now cyclists themselves, and as a fellow- feeling makes us all wondrous kind to our- selves, so holes and ruts, moraine-like tracks, and other causes of woe are rapidly becoming matters of history-thanks to the cycle. And if a cycle is of untold use to those who live in the country, much more is it so to those who live in towns. Few who have not experienced it, know the horrors of a hot, airless August night in London, when there is a dusky sky overhead-which is hot-hot walls, hot footpaths, hot odoriferous wood paving, and no escape. The underground is hot and stuffy, the omnibuses crowded and jolty. Workers all day, who pine for fresh air, have a kind of dusty kmalgam to breathe, and the tramp over the pavement only -increases the nervous headache the sufferer feels a little air would cure. The cycle has come to the rescue here. For years it has been doing a great deal of good to young men, who were off and away into the country as soon as ever business was done. Since then we have marched with the times, and women are doing their part in the various businesses to which they are admitted, and, as a. natural sequence, they require change and relaxation as much as their male relatives. Then came the cyclo-mania in France. That vivacious country has always taken kindly to the cycle, and as most fashions come from Paris, it did not take long for the humdrum English cycling to blaze out into a fashion over here. But, being by nature a nation of shopkeepers-mercer folk, our Continental cousins amiably call us—whilst cycling be- came the fashion, it is even now less the mode than the utilitarian hobby. Ladies do their shopping on wheels. The Princesses are said to prefer their wheels to horses, "because they are handier," as an old-fashioned rustic remarked to the writer of an article in the Wonian at Home," lately. Country neigh- bours pay visits to their neighbours on two wheels-themselves the motive power, instead of employing the horse. Many and many a lady does up her evening and night gear in a neat little bundle or a basket, and cycles off to spend a day or two with a friend who lives twenty or thirty miles off. People go out to dinner-on bicycles. They ride to the meet—on bicycles, and what is more, many go across eountry- on bicycles. Clergymen find the machines ifldispensible in working large, scattered country parishes. Teachers, tradesmen, high and low, rich and poor, see in a cycle a cheap and handy means of locomotion, and as such it will remain with us, not as a fashion, but as an indispensible adjunct to every house, great and small. The effects of this movement, in a social sense, are likely to be far-reaching. It is probable that its influence, as levelling up the different ranks of society, will be for good. Town people will see more of country folk, and get to have a more accurate idea of the vital interests of the people at large. A cycling senator being incog., will very likely be able to form a more just idea of the country problems than from mere routine work. There will be a greater interchange of ideas, and a much greater knowledge of English beauties, than if just tearing t'> from point to point in an express train. The great bugbear of late years has been centralisation, and this cycling seems inclined to counteract, by the diffusion of people and ideas from the chief centres. Some people appear to think that cycling' owes its success to the fact that so many of the nobility have recognised its merits. Cer- tainly they gave the sport a long, strong heave into notice, but for years, in a quiet way, cycling has been making its way amongst the most exclusive in the land. There were few big houses in the country that did not boast of a cycle, and the seed thus sown was bound to spring up sooner or later. If anyone gave a helping hand to cycling for ladies, it was Her Majesty the Queen. She grasped the possibilities for good in the then new idea, and by her prompt action in ordering a couple of machines in the earliest days, she hall-marked the movement, and to her the thanks of all cyclers are due. That cycling in moderation can do much good becomes more and more evident every day. The exercise is an antidote to ansemia and other kindred disorders due to our ener- vating style of living. But before cycling came to the rescue, it was by no means easy to get any exercise in London. Golf in town requires a fgood deal of energy and money, even to get to the nearest links. Tennis in town is by no means easily obtained. Walk- ing in town was a very excellent way of getting a splitting headache, and the stifling air killed all desire for any other exercise than was unavoidable. Of course, cycling will, at first, be overdone-even with the best possible intentions on the part of its votaries. "The exercise is so delightful," the novice feels-and says—" she could go on for ever." Strolling round Regent's Park a few days ago, I passed a lady learning. She could go alone nicely, and was spinning alongside some others. It is so glorious," I heard her say, and it really seemed as if she meant what she said. Now the object of these papers is to give all needful advice on cycling, but there will be one warning under all—the fruit of personal experience-Be careful!

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. MONDAY. In the House of Commons, on Bank Holiday, upwards of an hour was spent in discussing the terms of the instruction to the Select Committee to which Jie Dublin Corporation Bill has been referred. Notice was given by Major Rasch of his intention early next session to call attention to the duration of speeches in the House, and move a resolution. Questioned by Mr. W ootton Isaacson, Mr. Chamberlain said it would be useless to import porters from West Africa for service in Rhodesia, as the men could not carry even their own food supply. there was in South Africa ample material from which to recruit local levies without importing combatants from West Africa. The Cape Boys had been doing particularly good work in the present war. The Home Secretary, in answer to Sir C. Gull, admitted that the law regarding the sale of intoxicants on excursion steamers was in an unsatisfactory state, but said there was some difficulty in proposing an amendment to the licensing laws while a Royal Commission on the subject was sitting. Mr. Balfour informed Sir C. Duke that the leader of the Opposition took some constitu- tional or quasi-constitutional objection to a measure of the character of the Military Works Bill being introduced so late in the session, and under those circumstances the Government were disposed to introduce it next session. On the motion for going into Committee on the Agricultural Rates, Congested Districts, and Burgh Land Tax Relief (Scotland) Bill, the Speaker ruled out of order four instructions standing in the names of Mr. Caldwell, Mr. White, Mr. T. Shaw, and Mr. Souttar. The House went into Committee on the bill, and disposed of a number of amendments. TUESDAY. Shortly before the Lord Chancellor took his seat on the woolsack in the House of Lords on Tuesday, Li Hung Chang, accompanied by his suite, visited the House, and sat down near the rails of the throne, which was uncovered for the occasion. The Chinese Envoy waited for the Lord Chancellor's procession, and left the House before prayers. I he Finance Bill was passed through all its stages, and read a third time. The House went into Committee on the Labourers (Ireland) Bill, and the Earl of Arran having moved the insertion of a new clause making provision for local enquiry in case of complaint of lettings by the Sanitary Authority to persons other than agricultural labourers,Lord Ranfurly said the Government could not accept it,the bill having been passed through the other House as a non-contentious measure, on its elimination by the Chief Secretary, various boards strongly objecting to it. The Chief Secretary, however, intimated that in a future session it might be necessary to introduce a short measure giving effect to the object in view. After some discussion, the House divided, and the clause was carried against the Government by a majority of six. Another new clause was also inserted giving the Rural Sanitary Authority power, with the sanction of the Local Govern- ment Board, to sell any cottage or cottages not required for the accommodation of labourers. The bill was then reported to the House, with amendments, and the reference to a Standing Committee was negatived. The Railways (Ireland) Bill passed through Com- mittee, and the Standing Committee stage was negatived. It moving that the House go into Committee on the Conciliation (Trade j Disputes) Bill, Lord Dudley explained that the Government proposed to follow the voluntary system, which had done so much good in bringing about a settlement of trade disputes. It was not proposed to interfere or supersede that system, but to encourage and stimulate it. The bill passed through Com- mittee, and it was decided not to send it to a Standing Committee. After some discussion, the Light Railways Bill was read a second time. Several other bills were advanced a stage, and the House adjourned at a quarter to eight o'clock. In the House of Commons, on Tuesday, Mr. Brodrick informed Mr. Warner that a machine- gun was supplied to each cavalry regiment, but it was not necessary that every battalion of infantry in the field should have one. In reply to Mr. J. P. Farrell, Mr. G. Balfour said he would put down the Amalgamation of Poor-Law Unions in Ireland Bill for Thursday in order to state the nature of the Govern- ment's proposals. Questioned by Mr. Bryce and Mr. Flynn, Mr. Curson said the situation in Crete was still under the consideration of the Powers, but the matter had by no means reached the stage at which it would be possible to give an undertaking as to an early announcement on the subject. The number of troops in Crete required a commander of higher rank than Abdullah Pacha, whose appointment was only of a temporary character. Mr. Chamberlain, in answer to Mr. Maclean, said Mr. Hampson and Mr. Davis, the Reformers who refused to sign a petition for pardon, were still in the Pretoria prison, where they stated they were treated with every consideration, and that the accommodation was now excellent. He had received the memorial in which they stated that the Reform Committee of Johannesburg laid down their arms under the promise of British protection. This assertion was contradicted by the High Commissioner and Sir Jacobus de Wet. On first hearing of their refusal to join with the other Reform prisoners in petitioning for clemency, he (Mr. Chamberlain) advised them by telegraph that they would be acting not inconsistently with their dignity,and for the general good,if they signed a petition to the Government of the South African Republic like their companions. He had since repeated this intimation. Replying to Sir E. Ashmead Bartlett, Mr. Chamberlain added that when persons started an insurrection in a foreign State they must be prepared for the consequences. The Government whose subjects they were could only interfere as far as was necessary to secure for them a legal trial, and that the Government did. The House again went into Committee on the Agricultural Rates, Congested Districts, and Borough Land Tax Relief (Scotland) Bill.

THE WELSH LAND QUESTION. THE LANDLORDS' CASE. [BY A CORRESPONDENT.] A work is about to be published upon th4 land question in Wales from the pen of Mr J. E. Vincent, who, it will be remembered, it his dual capacity of counsel for the Nortl Wales Property Defence Association anc Secretary of the kindred Association in Soutt Wales, watched the interests of the landlords during the 99 public sittings of the Welsh Land Commission. The work purports to be a survey of the history, origin and character of the agrarian agitation, and of the nature and effect of the proceedings of the Land Commission, and deals with the whole ques- tion, from the landlords' point of view, in a very exhaustive manner. The history of the anti-tithe agitation is traced, and the writei expresses the opinion that until that agitation became acute nothing was heard about a Welsh Land question. He admits that there had been evictions for political reasons it Wales in 1859, but contends that the indigna- tion which arose from those evictions was dead and cold, and defied the efforts of the most ardent resurrectionist; and that it was only in connection with the fact that the Church and the landowners stood in some measure side by side that the land question, in an acute form, was really raised. The evidence given by Lord Penrhyn before the Commission is quoted in support of the view that the agitation was unreal in its origin, and had not its source in any genuine sense of grievance on the part of the agricultural community, but was due to the articles and letters published in the Welsh vernacular press. The personnel of the Land Commission is freely commented upon, and the antecedents and qualifications of the Commissioners dis- cussed. Of Lord Carrington, we are told that he was Lord Chamberlain; had been Governor of New South Wales; was, as he bad every right to be, a pronounced Radical; was given to the discussion of social questions, from the sentimental point of view, with Cardinal Manning; had possessed a consider- able estate in South Wales, which he had sold; and was a large landowner in England, with no special knowledge of Welsh affairs. Lord Kenyon is described as a Conservative In politics, whose effectual work as a Com- missioner may, perhaps, have surprised those who appointed him; and who displayed a practical knowledge of estate management which was invaluable. Of Sir John Llewelyn it is said that he was a large landowner in Glamorganshire, with a reputation for great administrative ability as Chairman of Quarter Sessions, and possessed of special knowledge upon a variety of subjects. Mr. Seebohm, the author tells us, was the member of the Commission who entered upon his duties with the highest public reputation. He was a Liberal Unionist in politics and a banker by profession; but his true fame was in the world of antiquarian letters. Although he shewed throughout the inquiry an acute zeal to realise the conditions of rural life in 'Wales, he would probably be the last man to claim practical acquaintance with the agri- cultural life of to-day in either England or Wales. Mr. Brynmor Jones is introduced to us as the son of a famous Nonconformist minister, who had gone to the Bar, and after a shorter career than commonly precedes official promotion, had been appointed a County Court Judge. Relinquishing this office, he had returned to the Bar, and entered Parliament as representative of one of the divisions of Gloucestershire. During the life of the Commission he had migrated in Gla- morganshire, and now sits in Parliament as the Radical representative of a Welsh con- stituency. Of the politics of Principal Rhys it is said that ltttle was, or is, known. At the time of his appointment he was Bursar of Jesus College, which possesses considerable property in Wales, and his scholarly know- ledge of the Welsh language was, perhaps, his principal qualification. Mr. Edwin Grove is described as an accountant and man of figures by occupation, a Radical in politics, and unacquainted with agricultural affairs. Mr. Richard Jones is said to have possessed little more than a parochial reputation when the Commission was appointed; be was known to have been educated at Aberystwyth, to be a. fervent and active Radical, a strong Non- conformist, and last of all—a friend of Mr. T. E. Ellis. Mr. Griffiths, we are told, was known as a sound farmer in Pembrokeshire, a judge of Castlemartin black cattle, and a strong Nonconformist and Radical. The consideration of the Commission is adversely criticised, and complaint made that whereas one party in politics was represented by a lawyer skilled in the arts of cross-examina- tion, the other side was not so represented. Then follow what are described as "serious allegations" in regard to the conduct of the Inquiry by the Commissioners. Those com- Plaints may be briefly summarised thus:-(I) Well knowing that the public sittings would be seized as an unrivalled opportunity for Paying off political grudges and for raising personal questions, the Commissioners so 9(3ted as to encourage the giving of evidence of this character, and to deprive the persons accused of adequate opportunity of clearing bheir characters. (2) They so interpreted the terms of reference as to lead to the impression ^hat if the Government had said, Go to "ales, and find out all about it from the days of Llewelyn until now," they could not have accepted evidence covering a wider field or paling with a greater variety of subjects. (?) A number of them, repeatedly and per- sistently, questioned witnesses in such a manner as to leave the impression that they were rather itinerant missionaries to preach the virtues of a Land Court than Conimis- 31°ners appointed to enquire into a great problem on behalf of Her Majesty. (4) They lid not treat witnesses who came before them with evidence contrary to the prejudices of tne majority of the Commissioners with that fairness and politeness which they were entitled to expect. Two chapters are devoted to the task of justifying by chapter and verse the complaints already enumerated, particular passages in the evidence being quoted and commented on. The writer claims to have established the proposition that the majority of the Commis- sioners started upon the inquiry with a pre- conceived idea that it would be their duty to recommend the establishment of some institu- tion in the nature of a Land Court. He pre. dicts that the vital portion of the report of the majority of the Commission will be the following effect: —" We find in Wales and Monmouthshire that the appetite known as land-hunger exists—that is to say, that when a farm is vacant men will enter into excessive and infatuated competition for the tenancy, and will offer rents far in excess of what is reasonable. We think, therefore, that it is for the public benefit that some machinery should be established which would prevent rents from being pushed by competition to so high a figure that it would be simply im- possible for tenant farmers to make a living." Mr. Vincent's statement of the case of the landowners as a body towards this suggestion of a Land Court may be briefly put as follows We deny the existence of the alleged griev- ances the evidence upon which they are based is flimsy and unsubstantial, and an immense number have been absolutely dis- proved if the alleged grievances had been demonstrated to exist the establishment of a Land Court would be in no way effectual to remove them; such a tribunal is essentially contrary to economical principle and would prejudicially affect the interests of all classes connected with land, from land- owner to labourer; and if the grievances do exist, they ean be allayed or removed by methods infinitely less objectionable. We are told that landowners admit that the Agri- cultural Holdings Act of 1883, which embodies the law with regard to compensation for improvements, is defective from the point of view of both tenant and landowner, and that many of them have tried, to the best of their ability, to amend the Act by substituting im- proved, more generous, and more appropriate scales of compensation. It is averred that none will be more ready than landowners to welcome reforms in the law of compensation, or more ready to accede cordially to the most generous scale of compensation, so long as that scale is based upon strictly just prin- ciples. So amended, we are assured the Act will do away with every grievance which English or Welsh tenants can allege and will do away with the possibility of them. But it is urged that if any regard be paid to equity, an adequate system of compensation cannot be enforced, and the landowner be made to pay it, whilst at the same time he is compelled to let the holding at an annual price fixed by an external authority on an unknown principle. In summing up the case for the landlords at the end of his work, Mr. Vincent claims that the opponents of a Land Court have dis- proved conclusively before the Commission the allegation that differences of language, religion or politics make any practical difference in the 1 elation of landowner and tenant in Wales, since to go back to political eyictions in 1859, which were greatly to be re- gretted but by no means peculiar to Wales, 13 "logical. Two notices to quit, and two °n y, for refusal to pay tithe-rent charge are admitted, but in extenuation it is urged that in both these cases the landowner was in- fluenced by the consideration that the tithe- owner had, in the last resource, his remedy against the land itself. The alleged favour- itism of churchmen has also, it is contended been entirely disproved. In the matter of generosity in meeting hard times, Welsh landowners claim to have shewn themselves at least equal to their English brethren, so far as the necessities of various districts in England and Wales respectively go. They further claim that it is no less true in Wales than in England that the rent represents but a moderate rate of interest on the capital in- vested by the owner in buildings, houses, drainage, fences, and a score of things besides, to say nothing of the original pur- chase price of the land itself. The writer concludes with an urgent appeal to Parlia- ment, 'to all persons interested in English land, and to all who love equity, for common justice and for careful consideration of what he describes as a remarkably strong case established in the face of the greatest possible difficulties.

MADE IN GERMANY." CRITICISM OF A MUCH-DISCUSSED BOOK. A country with its banks crammed with surplus millions and its bank managers continually complaining of an unprece- dentedly small profit rate with its artisans working fewer hours per day and yet paid on a higher scale than was ever known before, and with a general tendency to an improved standard of living; a country with a fiscal system so elastic that its Chancellor of the Exchequer can raise millions at once by the simple expedient of adding a penny to the income tax—this is the position of England to-day. Yet there is a writer bold enough to tell us that our knell is tolling with uncertain sound, and that a German is at the bell-rope. We Britishers have heard this before, it is true, and, either under the name of Bi- metallism or Fair Trade, we are prepared to hear it again. But if there is one thing more than another that will commend Mr. Williams's remarkable book to the attention, for example, of Free Traders, it is his general fairness of spirit exhibited in connection with an array of hard facts and figures. In brief, he has set himself to the task of show- ing how during recent years the manu- facturing trades of this country—that is to say, the business by which we live—have been and are being outrivalled by competitors on the Continent. In other words, that our supremacy in leading branches of industry is not only threatened, but is actually on the down grade. We are not going to follow him in his economical arguments with the late Professor Thorold Rogers and Sir Robert Giffen. The former's reputation can speak for him, and the latter is perfectly competent to take care of himself. In dealing with men whose reputations are made, we should like to have had a little less confidence, but in the meantime some of Mr. Williams's deductions, which are summarised at the end of this article, will appeal to political economists of all shades of opinion. As might have beeen expected, the author practically limits his illustrations to Belgium and Germany. We all knew that the manu- facturing industries of these two countries had made remarkable progress during recent years, a development which must in the nature of the case react upon England. But to take the case of Germany alone, while most people would have been ready to admit at once that the imports of British-made goods had diminished, few, we imagine, would have been prepared to hear that not only had they rivalled us abroad to a very serious extent indeed, but had actually systematically and persistently ousted our own makers at home. The following, though amusing, is but too seriously true, except so far as news- paper paper is concerned :— The toys, and the dolls, and the fairy books which your children maltreat in the nursery are made in Germany; nay, the material of your favourite (patriotic) newspaper had the same birthplace as like as not. Roam the house over, and the fateful mark will greet you at every turn, from the piano in your drawing room to the mug on your kitchen dresser, pleasant though it be with the legend, A Present from Margate. Descend to your domestic depths, and you shall find your very drainpipes German made. You pick out of the grate the paper wrappings of a book consignment, and they also are Made in Germany." You stuff them in the fire, and reflect that the poker in your hand was forged in Germany. As you rise from your hearthrug you knock over an ornament on your mantelpiece picking up the pieces you read on the bit that formed the base' Manu- factured in Germany." And you jot your dismal reflections down with a pencil that was made in Germany. At midnight your wife comes home from an opera which was made in Germany, has been here enacted by singers and conductor and players made in Germany, with the aid of instruments and sheets of music made in Germany. You go to bed, and glare wrathfully at a text on the wall; it is illuminated with an English village church, and it was "Printed in Germany." To come to figures, in dealing with some articles of English manufacture the following tells its own story :— In '95 Germany sent us linen manufactures to the value of .£91.257; cotton manufac- tures to the value of £ 536,471; embroidery and needlework to the value of £ 11,309; leather gloves to the value of £27,934 (six times the amount imported six years earlier) and woollen manufactures to the value of £1,016,694, Despite the exceeding cheapness of toys, the value of German-made playthings for English nurseries amounted, in '9b, to £459,944. In the same year she sent us books to the value of £37,218, and paper to the value of £586,835. For musical instruments we paid her as much as £ 563,018; for china and earthenware £ 216,876; for prints, engravings, and photographs, £111,825. Coming to some of the reasons for Ger- many's success and the manner in which England is handicapped, we are glad to note that Mr. Williams deals with the question of carriage. Bounties on German shipping, concessions in order to give the lowest rail- way rates—we know nothing of these in British commerce. The result is that the German manufacturer, protected at his ports against foreign rivalry, can get a good price for his goods at home, and can afford to send them abroad, even at less than cost price to begin with, by the aid of bounty-fed shipping, which will carry at freights unheard of in this country. But with special regard to the iron trade, we are told much of the systematic manner in which our neighbours have worked, especially since the great war of 1870, to convert their agrarian country into a country of manufacture; the result was seen by the members of the recent mission of the British Iron Trade Association. Such revelations were made then as to the improved methods of working, as to the wages paid, as to the class of manufacture, that a good many theories of long hours, low pay, and the cheap and nasty were relegated to the background. The Germans came here to learn, it is frankly admitted. They have made use of their tuition and their natural resources in tbe true Teutonic spirit, for they are at once the best pupils and the best schoolmasters the world has ever seen. Mr. Williams continues his illustrations into the textile, chemical, and the lesser trades, and his last chapter but one puts the problem Why Germany beats us." He sweeps away, as we believe ha is entitled to do, at any rate to a large extent, the sugges- tions as to longer hours of labour, and lower pay. What is more, he speaks roundly in favour of shorter hours and better wages as the best means of obtaining the best work. He denies that the general characteristic of German work is bad, and urges, in fact, that when the goods are bought they recommend M TA8 so much so that the Merchandise Marks Act has actually proved an advertising medium for the goods imported from that country Other reasons are set forth under the headings State Help, Bounties and Sub sidies, Transport, Commercial Consuls, Edu- cation, Self-help, Push and Adaptability. His concluding remark in this section go to some length in favour of the Teuton as a workman and the general alert progressive- ness of the nation at large as compared with our own conservative apathy. In conclusion, the author lays down his proposition—it is well worth while to take his indictment, for such it is, seriously- "What we must do to be saved." If we do not agree with much that Mr. Williams urges by way of panacea, we are free to admit at once that he argues well for what he conceives to be a common-sense program. We appreciate his earnestness even on his first point, his interpretation of Fair Trade, says the Daily Chronicle. He shows, to begin wjtn, that this country is being nooaea with goods of foreign make, sent in duty free, and sold at a price made relatively low by means of foreign tariffs and carrying bounties, which also react on foreign markets, where our goods are sent in competition He urges he somewhat threadbare specific that we should penalise foreign goods in exactly the same ratio that ours are made to pay duty, but furthermore that we must federate the Empire in the way of commerce. The latter part of this suggestion at least is on all fours with Mr. Chamberlain's ZolUerein, which however, has already received its quietus' temporarily or otherwise. His next point refers to subsidised transport, and he suggests that all German manufactures carried at specially low export rates on German State lines should be penalised at English ports to the extent of the bounty." We do not quite see how this is going to be done, but the author shall speak for himsalf. He further urges that our commercial consuls should be increased in number, a suggestion with which we most cordially endorse, and commend to the attention of the authorities, who, by the way, have begun to move in the matter. As to technical education and the actual teaching of trades in the schools, these are proposals with which we are glad to express our warmest sympathy. Individual Enterprise forms the heading of a series of suggestions of a very practical character with one of which, that in favour of the adoption of the Metric system of weights and measures, we heartily agree. Mr. Williams's book has already made no little sensation-it is calcu- lated to make considerably more. Now that Lord Rosebery has given currency to the phrase, "Made in Germany is likely to exert a good deal of influence.

SWANSEA ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE. MONTHLY MEETING. A. monthly meeting of the Swansea Assess- ment Committee was held on Tuesday, the chairman, Mr. F. H. Glynn Price, presiding. There were also present: Rev. Dr. Gomer Lewis, Messrs. W. H. Mill, John Harvey, Griffith Davies, Rees Harries, and G. Baker Haynes (clerk). Several small appeals having been dealt with, an important case affecting the harbour came on.—Mr. Talfourd Strick, as clerk to the Swansea Harbour Trustees, appeared in support of an appeal against the assessment of the new grain warehouse at the East Dock, JE190 gross and £150 net.—Mr. Strick explained that in 1891 the sum of £11,300 was agreed upon as an assessment that was to cover the western wharf which the trustees had then recently taken over from the Midland Railway Company. The trustees consequently appealed against the present assessment on the ground that the warehouse was situate upon this particular wharf.—The Chairman read the minute made in April, dealing with the matter as follows: "That the Harbour Trustees should pay upon £11,300 for all their property now in possession, including the warehouses and offices now in course of construction on the western wharf, formerly let to the Midland Railway Company." Mr. Strick, in reply to this, said that the words "now in course of construction were probably inserted to avoid dispute about the shed and offices then being erected. He had no doubt as to the decision arrived at in 1891 with regard to this wharf, but of course the Trustees did not object to other warehouses being rated upon other parts. Mr. Strick further said that the Trustees would not have taken over a vacant piece of land for the purpose of keeping it idle.-The Committee were now unanimous that the settlement of 1891 did not mean the future exemption from rates of any shed or warehouse that might be erected subsequent to the shed and offices then being built. Mr. Stephen Thomas, in view of the fact that the recently constructed grain sheds cost about X5,000 to build, questioned whether the 1891 assessment was sufficiently high. It was resolved to confirm the existing rating. Mr. W. Cox, solicitor, applied for a rebate on account of the non-occupation of Bryny- mor House, the late residence of the Bath family. Only the adjoining gardener's cottage is now in occupation. In addition to the point as to the partial occupation, Mr. W. Thomas, the assistant overseer, raised another as to whether there ought not to be some value placed upon the house and grounds by reason ot the rent paid in respect of it.—The matter was adjourned for a month, Mr. Thomas to report in the meantime upon the value of the gardener's cottage. Mr. Harry James Fischer appealed against the assessments of two houses in Bay View- terrace, St. Thomas, .£13 10s. gross and .£11 10s. net, and it was decided to reduce them to JE13 and .Ell each. The Graigola Merthyr Company appealed against the asse>sment of the Fuel Works at Clydach at £ 240 gross and £ 160 net. Mr. Davies said that trndu had become so bad that at list they had to remove all their machinery and close the place. Nx work was now carried ou there and they asked lor a nominal rating of £ ,'j as a store place—The collector was ordered to report on the matter. Mr. Davies appeared for Cory's Swansea Navigation Coal Company, who appealed against in assessment of JE468 on the Mountain Colliery, Gorseinon. He said there h-td been an overcharge of several thousand tons, about which he came here before the committee, and they agreed to an a iowancc on the rate. Since then they had stoppeil the colliery entirely. A rate had been laid which they declined to pay, and they offered to pay 14 days' proportion of it, for the time they worked under that rate. They claimed Cl6 13s. 9d. rebate on the previous rate.— Mr. S. Thomas said col i jry assessments were made on the output and not on the period of working.—Mr. Davies said the committee wanted them to pay too much. They had had legal opinion, and unless there was a reduction there would be litigation. The Chairman said there was nothing to reduce the rebate from now that there was no further royalty on coal raised. The matter was adjourned for a report from the clerk and collector Mr. Cruickshank appealed against the assess- ment of the Tunnel Brick Works, the figures being S22,5 gross and JE182 net. He said they had now three kilns instead of four, one not being used on account of waste and bad trade. It was in use when the assessment was made, but, it was useless now.— The matter was adjourned pending a report upon the various brickworks. This was all the business.

The road foreman of the parish of Putney is to be supplied w ith a bicycle by the parochial authorities at an estimated cost of zCl5 15s. The foremen of several of the adjoining parishes are already on wheels. Ar< 1 n 1^1 KNOWN as Rev. ™ A. XVJL/ J ° s e p h H o 1 m e s' Mexican Prescription, is the only original guaranteed Remedy for all those who suffer from nervous weakness, exhausted vitality, kidney or bladder diseases, gravel, prostate, spinal weak- ness, brain fag and kindred complaints. It has stood the test for twenty years. Send a self- addressed stamped envelope to Jos. Holmes' Remedy Co., Bloomsbury Mansions, Bloomsbury- square, London, and get full particulars of this great Specific free of charge. Mention whether for male or female. Beware of fraudulent imitators. I —— j ^EAVE'S l/lOOD.—por Infants, Invalids, J- Growing Children, and the Aged. NEAVE T7100D.—" Admirably Adapted 's Fo to the Wants of Infants." -SIR CHAS. A. CAMEBON, M.D. NEAVE'S TlOOD.—" Contains all the J_ Elements of Food in an Easily Digested Form." -GORDON STABLES, M.D., R.N. N EAVE'S jlOOD.—Best and Cheapest. T^J"EAVE'S IjlOOD.—In lib. Patent Air- -131 _I_ tight Tins, Is. each.

NEATH AND DISTRICT. In the House of Commons on Monday the Taff Vale Railway Bill was read a third time. THE SLAUGHTER HOUSESo-Capital progress. is being made in connection with the improve- ments at these buildings by the contractors, Messrs. Snow and Grant. DELICIOUS MAZAWATTEE TEA DELICIOUS MAZAWATTEE TEA MAZAWATTEE TEA S MAZAWATTEE TEA DELICIOUS MAZAWATTEE TEA r'l: YT y k -excellence and Uniform Quality. TEA The Welsh Baptists held their annual tea at the Burrows, on Monday, this well-known resort being crowded with holiday trippers. NEATH TOWN COUNCIL AND TRAMWAY. A special meeting of the Neath 'Rown Council was held on Friday afternoon to consider the proposed purchase of the tramway under- taking, now in Chancery. The sale will be conducted in London on Friday next. A deputation representing the Council was appointed, with full powers to purchase. It seems very probable that the Neath Corpora- tion will buy the undertaking, as there is a strong feeling locally against its getting into the hands of any person or persons outside the district. WHEATLEY'S HUP BITTERS has attained a world-wide reputation. THE Temperance Beverage of the age. See the name on label of every iiottle None genuine without. Of Wine Merchants, Bottlers, Grocers, &c. NEATH PETTY SESSIONS.—TUESDAY. [Before the ex-Mayor, H. Morgan, and Mr Harry Thorn as. j THE DRUNKEN BRIGADE.—Philip Evans labourer, and Mary Evans, his wife, Rectory- road; Bridget James, a married woman, Bridge-street; Margaret Boyse, another woman living at the Green; and William Nicholas, labourer, Bowen-street, were severally charged with being drunk. The usual fines from 5s. and costs were imposed. Sergeant Jones, P.C.'s lies and Harris testified to the facts. Two PUGILISTS. — David James, collier, Green, and William Hughes, collier, Moore- town, were charged with committing a breach of the peace by fighting with one another. Sergeant Price proved the facts, each being fined 10s. and costs. NEATH ATHLETIC SPORTS. Neath, like other towns, had its sports on Bank Holiday. They took place in the Cor- poration field, and conducted under the auspices of the Licensed Victuallers' Associa- tion, proved a sufficient attraction to large numbers. Councillor W. B. Trick was the starter, and the judges were Messrs. D. J. Price, T. Howell, and W. H. Harding. Mr. Griffith-Jenkins was the adjudicator in the band contest. Mr. J. Griffiths, the honorary secretary, discharged his duties very creditably. The band of the Neath Detachment of Rifle Volunteers, under the conductorship of Band- master Jenkins, played choice selections throughout the afternoon. The following is the prize list:— 1Z0 XARDS JNOVICE HANDICAP.—1, C. Howis, Melincrythan, 4 yds; 2, John Thomas, Neath, 6 yds; 3, John Thomas, Briton Ferry, 3 yds. 120 YARDS OPEN HANDICAP.—1, C. Howis, Melincrythan, 15 yds; 2, D. J. Jones, Cadox- ton, 8 yds; 3, J. Morgan, Melincrythan, 18 yds. FIIE BAND COMPETITION.- I St, Swansea; 2nd, Ystalyfera. 440 YARDS OPEN HANDICAP. — Final— John Thomas, Neath, 40 yds; 2, J. Nevin' (Jadoxton, 30 yds; 3, Harry Hanford, Skewell, 35 yds. 120 YARDS OPEN HANDICAP.-For boys under 16 years of age—1, Evan Most; 2, Sydney Thomas 3, L. Muller. 120 YARDS OPEN HANDICAP.—For football players only-I, T. J. Youatt, Neath, scratch; 2, J. Nevin, Cadoxton. HALF-MILE RACE OPEN HANDICAP.-l, John Thomas, Neath, 36 yds; 2, J. Nevin. Cadoxton, 36 yds; 3, W. Leigh, Neath, 35 yds- INTERESTING PRESENTATION TO THE REV. E. THOMAS AND MRS. THOMAS OF SKEWEN. The National Schools, Skewen, were the scene of a most influential social gathering in honour of the popular vicar and his lady on Saturday night. The Rev. E. Thomas has held the important post of Vicar of Skewen for more than 40 years, and recently a general desire manifested itself to make him and hi", good lady a pre- sentation which should worthily express the high esteem in which both are held. The sum of X150 was raised, which has been expended upon a chaste solid silver tea and offee ser- vice and salver, a handsome study chair, a watch, a bracelet, and au album address. The salver bore an inscription. Prior to the pre- sentation meeting there was a social tea, which was given to the subscribers by Mrs. Jones of Rockfield. Mr. Frederic Edwards ably presided over the after meeting, and the following were amongst those who also were present:—Rev. E. Thomas, Mrs. Thomas, Mr. John Newall Moore, Archdeacon Griffiths, Mrs. Edwards, Mr. J. E. R. Thomas, Mr. Harry Thomas, J.l' Mr. J. H. Moors, Mr. and Mrs. H. Eccles, Dr. and Mrs. Elias, Mr. C. S. Price and the Misses Price, Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Will'ams, Miss Rees (Bath), Mr. George Jones (chairman of Coedfranc School Board), Alderman H. P. Charles, Mrs. H. p. Charles and Miss Charles, Mrs. Kenway, Miss Kate Thomas, Miss Reynolds, and Mr. G. T. Sims. The Chairman made the presentation. The Vicar (Rev. E. Thomas), in a feeling speech,, acknowledged the gifts.-The Ven. Arch- deacon Griffiths proposed that a brass mem- orial tablet he fixed bearing record of the interesting event of that evening.—Alderman H. P. Charles seconded the proposition, and it was agreed to unanimously.

Some patriotic and wealthy Spaniards dwelling in Argentina have arranged with a Clyde firm to build a cruiser of 4,500 tons, which is to be delivered in 18 months to the Spanish Govern- ment as a gift. She will cost the donors about £ 320,000. Rowlands' Kalydor invaluable for the skin in hot weather cools and refreshes it removes Freckles, Tan, Sunburn, Redness, Roughness cures and soothes Irritation, Insect Stings, Cutaneous Eruptions produces soft delicate skin and a beautifully fair com- plexion. Bottles, 2*. 3d and 4a. 6d. Rowlands' Macassar Oil prevents hair falling off or becoming dry in summer time eradicates scurf; also in Golden Colour, bottles 3s. 6d., 7s., I0s. 6d. Rowland's Odonto whitens the teeth" prevents deoay, sweetens the breath, 2s. 9d. Ask Chemists, Druggists or Stores for ROWLANDS' articles sent post free by A. Rowland <fe Sons, 20, Hatton Garden" London, on receipt of advertised price in postal order. The Admiralty have decided to introduce into the Navy a new type of hammock, to be used only for the transport of wounded men. These hammocks will be supplied to every ship in commission in the proportion of one to every 65 men, and will be in addition to the ambulance stretchers now in use. ONE Box OF CLARKE'S B 41 PILLS is warranted to cure all discharges from the Urinary Orgmns, in either vex (acquired or constitutional), Gravel, and Pains in the Bark. Guaranteed free from Mercury. Sold in Boxes, 4s. 6d each, by all Chemists and Patent Medicine Vendors throughout the World; or sent to any address for sixty stamps by the Makers, THE LINCOLN AM) MIDLAHD COCHTIJES DXVE COMPANY, Lincoln. ra Thus the Bishop of Bath and Wells on the Jameson raid :— It has won the approbation of many because it was a manifestation of courage, but due consideration will show that the first duty of a soldier is to recognise and obey authority." What shall I drink ? Why, WHEATLEY'S HOP BITTERS. The LEADING TEM- PEBANCE BEVERAGE. Sparkling and Refreshing. Recommended by experts and analysts. Sold everywhere by Grocers, &c.