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COWBRIDGE FARMERS' CLUB. THE FARMERS' ALLIANCE BILL. THE ADJOURNED DISCUSSION. An adjourned meeting of the Cowbridge Farmers' Club was held at the Bear Hotel, Cow- bridge, on Tuesday, when there were present Colonel Franklen (in the chair), Colonel Turbervill, Dr. Franklen Evans, Messrs. 11. W. Llewellyn, Francis Crawshay (Treforest), Daniel Owen (Ash Hall), Henrv Thomas, T. Spencer, J. E. Spencer, T. Morgan (St.* Mary Hill), R. Jones (Pencoed), D. J. Jenkins, Rees Thomas (St. Athan), R Clements, T. Morgan (ifonkton), W. Llovd, J. Spencer (St. lIary- church"). T. John, J. Thomas (Cowbndge), Evan Yorath, J. C. Thom;ls, J. Spencer (Picketstone), T. Jones (Old Beaupre), Edward Thomas (Caerau), J. Hall, W. Williams (Splott I ".arm, Cardiff), Evan Lougher, Edward John, J. Williams, W. Jenkins, Henry Yorath, R. Howe, J. George, Walter Cook. T. Payne, James Gordon, — Lewis (St. Fagan's), G. E. Tutton, and the Hev. Edward Jenkins, The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. The CHAIRMAN said that at a committee meeting which had just been held he read a letter he had received from the Countess of Rective, who stated that she was anxious for the support of the Cow- bridge Farmers' Club at a meeting to take place at the Mansion House on Feb. lti-, to consider what further steps should be taken to urge the use of British wool. He hoped that some member of the club would be able to attend the meeting. It would, no doubt, be a great advantage to them all if British wool were more generally used, instead of the silks and satins which were obtained from France. Ho (the chairman) next observed that the committee had fixed the 21st. of February for the annual dinner of the club, and they hoped as many mem- bers would attend as possible. Mr. EVAN LOUGHER remarked that in conse- quence of the depression in agriculture practical farmers would not bo able to attend the dinner. (Laughter.) The following new members were then elected: —Mr. Robert Kickards, Castlefield, Maindee, Cardiff; Mr, Edward F. Lynch BIosse, Cathedral- road, CardIff; Mr. Walter Cook, Ewenny, Bridgend; Mr. Frank Moon, Bridgend; Mr. Daniel Lougher, Sheepcourt Farm, Bonvilstone Mr. Lewis Jenkins, Horse and Groom Inn, Cowbridge; Mr. Lewis Ambrose Williams. Bryngola. Bridgend Mr. David Griffith Thomas, Foundry House, Tondu and Mr. G. G. Burdett, bank manager, Cowbridge. The CHAIRMAN said the next business was to proceed with the discussion of Mr. Thomas Morgan's resolution in reference to the Farmers' Alliance Bill. He said that, as Mr. Jenkins moved the adjournment of the debate, he had the right of speaking first. Mr. D.J. JKNKINS expressed his disinclination to re-open the debate. The CHAIRMAN then called upon Mr. Morgan. Mr. THOMS MORGAN said he had already spoken upon his resolution, and he had nothing further to say at prese'nt. At the close of the discussion he might have a few further remarks to make. As Mr. Jenkins moved the adjournment of the debate he thought he was entitled to speak first. Mr. D. J. JENKINS said he had been taken quite by surprise, but he would not allow the question to go begging. He thought there was a good deal to be said pro and con., and it was to be hoped that whatever were their views they would express them, and give everybody e!se an opportunity of doing the same. His object in moving the adjournment of the discussion waA that they might, have a better opportunity of stating their opinions upon the subject, which was one that deeply affected the agricultural classes. Reference had been made to the customs of Glamorganshire. Those customs were very good, and he dared say their position was much better than that of t.he tenant farmers in many counties in ^England. But to his mind those customs did not go far enough by a long way, and he thought, that something in the'naturo of the Farmers' .Alliance Bill was wanted, though he was not prepared to support that measure in its entirety. If, however, they did not agitate, it was probable that nothing would be granted to them, whereas if they did agitate they might get, that which they soughl. It was certain that whatever Bill did pass would have to be one that would not injure any individual person. He thought he could trace in the Farmers' Alliance Bill that which would be productive of hardship to the landlord and; as ho had said before, he would not be disposed to accept it as now constructed. He was there to give his vote, and he would be glad to hear other gentlemen speak who had had more experience in the matter. Mr. DAmL said he did not know whether he was in order. He expressed his views at the first meeting at which that matter was taken into consideration, and he did not know whether he would be permitted to speak again. The CHAIRMAN said he did not think there would be any objection. ( Applause.) Mr. DANIEL OWEN, resuming, said he expressed his views pretty fully before. They had a very good custom in that county. He had never heard a voice raised against it either by landlord or tenant, and when they had a custom which ap- peared to give satisfaction to all parties, he thought the best thing they could do would be to stick to that custom. He was asked some time ago to read a paper before them on Tenant- right," and Mr. Morgan had not only fairly and favourably criticised that paper, but, from conver- sations he had had with him from time to time, he thought, Mr. Morgan approved of the custom which it was their privilege to enjoy. However, at their last meeting, Mr. Morgan said:—"But now Mr. Owen has gone on to the wrong side of the plat- form." The inference the public might draw from that was that he had changed his front and altered his views. He did not think Mr. Morgan intended to convey that impression. (Mr. Morgan: Xo, no.) He (Mr. Owen) had certainly opposed the Farmers' Alliance Bill, and had spoken in favour of the tenant-right custom which existed in that district. What he said then he re-affirmed now. and he ad- vocated the tenant-right which they enjoyed in that part, of Glamorganshire. It was possible that their custom could be improved, and Mr. Jenkins had ju^t said t hat it did not go f;ir enough. He thought it could be improved in this way: That when an out-going tenant was paid for his un- exhausted improvements something should be given io him, it he were entitled to it., in consideration of general condition, and that, on the other hand, the slovenly farmer should be made to pay compensation for deprecia- tion. But in regard to this a difficulty would arise. Supposing a farmer had been on his farm for 40 or 50 years, and then left. How were they to ascertain the condition of the farm at the time at which his tenancy commenced? He would suggest that, a register should be kept in each parish or district, and that the farms should be classified according to the condition they were in when the tenant entered upon them, say from one to six, or from one to twelve, as they might think proper. That. would be very simple; and he thought if added to their custom it would im- prove it. And then he would like to see their I custom made law. He would like to see an Act of Parliament, passed which would make it compul- sory. He really believed that if the English and Scotch farmers had the same privilege nor, a single complaint would be heardjjlrom them as to tenant- right but they would all be satisfied and content. He might be wrong, but he did not. think that they would requite further legislation. As Mr. John Rees said there the other day, they ought to be men enough to make their own bargains, and not allow themselves to be treated as children, or as imbeciles. 11 farms were let too high, what was the cause of it iThey knew per- fectly well that the cause was keen competition. AVhen keen competition ceased land, like every other commodity, would find its level by the ruling power of supply and demand. He received a letter a few days ago from a friend of his in the Midland Counties, and he confirmed what he (Mr. Owen) had just staled. After alluding to other sub jects, the letter proceeded:— H.\d we ill "'orc('st.erhire:111 agricultural society with the same amount of go'' ill it a your lol one :1t Cowbridge, their discussions would afford yon some interest., ;ui<l myself a great deal of pleasure in forward- ing it to you. This want of energy may be possibly owing to tlie awful amount of depression at present existing among agriculturists III our county,- especially upon the heavy day land which constitutes a large per-, centage of the soil. I doubt if there is a landlord (possessing a large acreage) in the county who has not. upon liis hand two or more farms, many of them to be had for a mere nominal rent to keep them in cnltivat ion, hut. HO one will venture upon them even upon siteh terms under present circumstances. Lord ———— has twelve or fourteen, which he is cultivating (?) as far as a minimum of labour will permit, or, as :1 gentleman said to me the other day, just, scratching the soil, putting in the seed, and leaving the result to Provi- dence. It is so amusing to react the number of empirical formulas propounded lor the rectification of this terrible state of things. First., there was Mr. Blight's dogmatic opinion three years a»o, that, it was entirely owing to the existence of a wicked Tory Government," Last summer, however, he asserts it. is poor Sol upon whom the blame rests for not showing his face more frequently." Thence have the denunciation of Ow ex-screw manufacturer against landlords in general, and the advocacy of a reduction of rents in particular, when there are hundreds of farms to be had upon simply paying the rates and taxes charged upon them. Now it. is Mr. Howard and the council of the Alliance who are metaphorically angling: with a sprat to catch a salmon by means of "their im- practicable, ill-judged, and mischievous measure, the landlord and Tenant Bill. 1 was pleased to read the bold tront shown by many of the more influential, i.e., Clauses n sense members of yonr club, against its many Continuing-, Mr. Owen said that if they legislated to name the rental and to apportion the taxes they were to pay, why should they not legislate in the same way for other industries? Why not enact that the Taff. Vale Railway Company, instead of declaring a dividend of 17 per cent., should be satisfied with 5 per cent.: that the National Pro- vincial BanK, instead of paying 23 per cent. or 25 per cent., should be restricted to 5 per cent. onlv, or that the colliery proprietor should be required to accept a certain amount per ton for his coal? The principle was the same and, sup- posing that were done, what would be the result ? There would be an end of speculation, and they would not find a. single enterprising man in the country. However, he thought that public opinion and common sense would prevail, and that, such a state of things would never exist. The speaker then read extracts from the Farmer and the AjfricM^iral Gazette, both expressing disapproval of the farmers Alliance Bill, and "added that the measure had also been condemned by Mr. Gladstone, Mr. Shaw Lefevre, and other prominent gentlemen. I nder such cir- cumstances would it, he asked) be wise of them to trouble themselves about, the matter. (Ap- plause"). Mr. KKES THOMAS thought that Mr. Daniel Owen was tod much in favour of the landlords and urged that the landlords were now much better off than were the tenants. The custom which existed in that county was. no doubt, a good one but he agreed with "Mr. Jenkins that it. did not go far enough. Ho then enumerated several points in which he thought the custom was deficient, amongst, them being the circumstance that the valuers did not take the corn consumed by stock into consideration. Mr. DAM HI. said that Mr. Thomas was mistaken as to the latter point. Mr. THOMAS said he was giving his experience. He concluded by remarking that there was a great deal in the Farmers' Alliance Bill of which they ought to approve, and that if they did not move now it was probable a better opportunity would never be afforded them. Mr. DANCEL OwKN then rose, and said that was not the first time he had been accused of being the landlords' friend. But he had been abused by the landlords as well. He had simply expressed his views according to the dictates of his con- science. If his views were not. correct, it was for them to convince him to the contrary, and he was surprised that anyone should have the audacity to make the assertion tha.t he was in favour of the landlord and against the tenant. No one would make that assertion except a man who was a narrow-minded bigot. Mr. J. E. SPKNCER said that, in his opinion, the Farmers' Alliance Bill was not what they wanted. It would simply put class against class, and would not do the farmers of Glamorganshire one iota of good. Mr. E. JOHN approved of the Farmers' Alliance Bill, though he could not say that it was all that they desired. Mr. THOMAS MORGAN then replied, reiterating the views he had before expressed. Mi*. J. SPENCKR afterwards made a few remarks. He said he was one of the valuers of the county, and he had always allowed for corn consumed by stock. A little further discussion took place, after which The CHAIRMAN read Mr. T. Morgan's resolution, as follows:—"That the county members be re- quested to support the principles of the Farmers' Alliance Bill, and to watch the interests of the tenants and landlords of the county during its dis cussion in Parliament." Mr. THOMAS JONES seconded the motion, which was then submitted to the meeting, and agreed to by sixteen votes to six. This concluded the proceedings. MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE. Previous to the general meeting of the Cow- bridge Farmers' Club on Tuesday, a meeting of the committee was held in the Bear Hotel, Cow- bridge, presided over by Colonel Franklen. The SKCRETAMY (Mr. Tutton) read the following report which had been prepared:— Your committee, in presenting their report for the past year, have the pleasure of informing the members of the club that its financial position is satisfactory, and that there are no unpaid accounts outstanding. The balance, though small, is in favour of the club. Sub- scriptions and donations from various ladies and gentle- men, for special prizes, < £ c., for the fat stock show, amounting to £'79 Is, 6d., were received. BubwriptiollS of members to the amount of £ 76 Is. were also received, and paid to the treasurer. The total receipts were £155 2s. 6d., the expenditure amounting to £15.3 12s. M., leaving a balance in the hands of the treasurer of £1108. A sum of £ 11 is st.ill due for arrears of sub5eriptions. The present number of subscribers on the books is 174, being an increase on the previous year of five. Twelve meetings have been held during the year, and the atten- dance of members at these meetings lias been satisfactory. Amongst other matters the fol- lowing have been discussed:—Permanent pasture, Water Conservancy Bill, railway charges for agriculture, tenant right (which subject was brought. forward by Mr. Daniel Owen, whose masterly method of treatment well merited the approbation it. received throughout the country), and Farmers' Alliance Landlord and Tenant, fiill (England), 18S2. The discussion on the provisions of this' Bill has not as yet been brought to a close. Christ-was Fat Stock Shac.—this show waS held for the first time in a field at the back of the Bear Hotel, kindly ent, for the occasion by Air. Thomas, when in the num- ber shown there was a considerable increase, and the quality of the stock was an equality, if not an improvement, on those shown in former years. It would appear that the special prizes being confined to exhibitors residing in the county conduces greatly to the number of exhibits, stimulates activity and compe- titive zeal amongst fanners, and adds greater attractions to the local public in the show field. Your committee take this opportunity of expressing their gratitude to those ladies and gentlemen who have assisted the club by their donations and subscriptions and in condusionwould, in ottering their thanks to the officers of the club for their zeal and enertry in forward- ing its interests, earnest ly hope that as the society in- creases in numbers and stability their successors will continue to maintain the good name of the Cowbridge Farmers' Club. It was resolved that this report be adopted. The date of the annual dinner of the club was then discussed, and fixed at the 21st of February. The CHAIKIIAN read the following letter he had received, viz.:— Parkwern, Swan sea, 20th January, 1882, Bear Sir,—1 should be very glad to be able to attend the annual dinner of the Cowbridge Farmers' Club, but after Parliament meets I am no longer my own master. So one ean foresee what question will arise, nor when one maybe required to be in his place. I can, therefore, make no other promise than that, if my Parliamentary duties permit me, 1 will attend on any day you appoint. I do not think I can say anything more satisfactory than 1 said before, because 1 spoke the truth, and shall always do so, whether if gives satisfaction or the reverie, and 1 am sure, in the long rnl1.1uyeonrse will be appreciated. You will have seen that Mr. G ladstone said very much what I did.-Yours faithfully, Mr. G. E. Tutton. H. HUSSEY VIVIAN. Mr. C; H. M. Talbot, M.P., wrote expressing his inability to attend the dinner owing to the meet- ing of Parliament. The CHAIP.MAN stated that he had also received a letter from the Countess of Hective inviting the support of the club at the forthcoming meeting at the Mansion House, London, in reference to the more general use of British wool. A desire was expressed by the committee that the club should be represented upon this occasion. The business then terminated.

MONMOUTHSHIRE CHAMBER OF AGRICULTURE. ¡ ANNUAL MEETING AT USK. On Monday the fourteenth annual meeting of this chamber was held at the Three Salmons Hotel, Usk, Mr. Henry Williams, of Llanarth, in the chair. The members in attendance included Messrs. E. J. Phillips, J. S. Stone, and R. Stratton (joint lion, secretaries), T. Colborne, T. Parry, R. Addams Williams, M. M. Cope, O. Rees, W. Jones (Cefnlloa'ell), &c. The report was as follows:— The council of this chafnber presents the fourteenth annual report. Sinca the last, annual meeting five genual meetings have been held, at which important matters to the tanner were discussed. At a general meeting held at Abergavenny on March 15 an interest- ing discussion.took place on the law of distress." The resolution, That, in the opinion of t.his chamber, the lav, of distress should be abolished," was carried. On the 30th of March a. general meeting was held at New- port to discuss the Privy Council Orders respecting the movement, of cattle 111 uninfected areas, at which a re- solution was paswd request iug the magistrates to remove all restrictions upon the movement, of cattle in unin- fected districts. I ft accordance with this resolution the restrictions were removed very shortly after«ardi. On the 27th of April a general meeting was held at Newport to consider the jRiveri' Conservancy and Floods Prevention Bill. The principle of the Bill was objected to by this chamber, and. a petit ion to Parliament was adopt ed setting forth the objections and your council are glad to report that this Bill uirt not become law. At, the same meeting the present system of maintaining the highways was dis- cussed aI, some length, and a resolntlOlI ulIlIilllously passed declaring Che present system 1?f. maintenance utterly unsatisfactory, and that, the fairest mode of sett ting the question is to make the users oi the roads pay for their repairs. On the 2bth ot October a general meeting was held at. Chepstow, at, which the etiect ot foreign competition on British agriculture was discussed, and a resolution passed recognising the disastrous effect ot foreign competition on the agricultural interest and expressing the belief that the lime had come when such interest, should be relieved from its exceptional bur- On the 16th oi November a general meeting was held at. Newport to discuss the subject of local taxation, at which the following resolutions were passed:- That this chamber protests against the continued exemption of personal property from contrHjutotgtta share towards the burdens of local taxatieu. Becondlj., —"That this chamber asksthat national obligations, such as the support of the poor, the repair of roads, the sup- pression of crime, primary education, and the main- tenance of pauper lunatics, should be borne by all kiniJ of property." Third ly,—"That, this Chamber desires to all the attention of her Majesty's Ministers to the alarming increase of 1 mperial and local taxation, and to tlw neces- sity fur measures of immediate and sweeping retrench- ment." These resolutions were duly forwarded to the Government. On the 2ist of December Mr. J. C. Buck- master delivered all address at tllp King's Head Hotel, Newport, oil Thp Government Plasses for tellching the scientific, principles of agriculture." Great interest was taken in the address by those present, and your council would he olad to have all expression of opinion from the chamber :1 tu the advisability of having a course OJ scientific lectures delivered ill tile towns of the county on the various questions of agricul- ture. The resoluiions passed at the various meetings have been regularly sent, to th" Oentral Chamber, alld tlw, view pf your chamber have been ably represented by your deputed membf-r} Mr. Henry Williams and lr. Tiioa. Colborne, whose ahle anclcopious reports are appended. ï our council have much pleasure in reporting that on the 31st flf Iat month, the Prime Minister received an influential deputation from the Central alld Associated Chamhers of Agriculture to dis- cuss 1-he question o$local taxation. Your chamber was fflW-'sented'by Mr. llichard Rtratton. The deputation very forcibly called the Premier's attention to many of the unjust burdens thrown upon the land by rates and taxes, and they were pleased to find that the Govern- ment was aware of many of these and had been giving them their carefnLand. laborious attention. Mr. Glad- stone assured the deputation that the time was near at hand when it will be the duty of the Government to submit their views in a regular and practical manner upon this qupgtio/l. 10ur rOllllcil stronolv desire to impress upon the members and falniers the great importance of thoroughly uniting together and supporting this chamber, as it cncourages discussion amongst farmers and is an easy and valuable means by which any grievance touching their interest can be brought, be Ore the public and,.through the Central Cham- ber, before Parliament. Oneoi the first stepstoremed v any hindrance to progress is to make that hindrance appa- rent, bolh to those directly injured and to those who have it in their power to assist in its removal. This cannot be done without some O11I Øf organisation having weight and influence sunicient.to gain public Attention, and by that, means obtain the assistance re- quisite for carrying out..Just. alld proper reforms where they are proved to be necessary. Agricultural ques- tions are not, in such a .condition as to make their careful consideration unnecessary, and your council hope that ths chamber will receive such support as to enable it. to extend its sphere of usefulness. Three life members (Mr. E. H. Carbutt, M.P-> 1\1\ W. G. Cartwright, and Mr. E.J. Grice) and seventeen annual members joinefl the chamber during the year. The CHAIRMAN moved .the adoption of the re- port, briefly commenting upon its satisfactory nature. Mr. PHILLIPS, in seconding, remarked that the balance against the chamber had been reduced during the year from £12 17s. 5d. to jS6 8s. lid. TRIo; OFFICERS OF THE CHAMBER. Mr. STRATTOV proposed a vote of thanks to the retiring president, and eulogised the manner in which Mr. Williams had filled the chair during the year. Mr. COLBORNE seconded, and testified to Mr. Williams's great care and indefatigable diligence. The CHAIRMAN, in acknowledgment, expressed the belief that chambers of agriculture were the best medium of expressing agricultural opinion, and said he had a deep interest in the welfare of this chamber. He only hoped that the occupancy of the chair for one year by one who was only a tenant farmer would not operate detrimentally to the interests of the chamber. (Hear, hear.) He proposed, as president for the ensuing year, Mr. Herbert, of Llanarth, who had consented to act in that position. (Applause.) It was very gratifying j to know a gentleman of Mr. Herbert's position { would accept the presidency. (Hear, hear.) Mr. PHILLIPS seconded, and said he knew of no one who took a deeper interest in the whole of Monmouthshire than Mr. Herbert, who was one of the largest landed proprietors in the county. (Ap- plause.) At the same time the speaker referred to the advantage of having from time to time in the presidential chair men of such practical expe- rience and knowledge of details as Mr. Williams and his predecessor a year or two before, Mr. Stratton. The motion was unanimously agreed to. Mr. PARKY proposed a vote of tha.nks to the hon. sees., Mr. Stratton and Mr. Stone, and the district secretaries, Messrs. J. Haines, V. Parsons, and E. Marfell, for their services during the past year, and also their re-election, if they were willing to act- again. He spoke of Mr. Stone and Mr. Stratton as having been from the commencement almost the fathers of the chamber, and was only sorry the farmers did not, manifest greater interest in the proceedings of the chamber. Mr. COPE seconded. Mr. STRATTON first acknowledged the vote. He thanked the chamber for their kind acknowledg- ment, hut disclaimed any title to thanks, the real credit belonging to Mr. Stone, by whom the actual work was done. Mr. Stone, however, seemed to attach some importance to his name being con- nected with his own, and if the chamber desired it, he should be pleased to continue his services. (Hear, hear.) Mr. STONE expressed the opinion that the success of the chamber was in a great measure attributable to the active exertions of Mr. Stratton. and that it would suffer very much if he withdrew from the honorary secretaryship. These chambers were, in his opinion, as neutral political institutions, very beneficial to the agricultural interest, and he was pleased that this chamber was in a healthy posi- tion. As to the future, he hoped some substantial relief would be afforded to local taxation. (Ap- plause.) In conclusion, he said it would be a pleasure to him to continue his services to the chamber. (Applause.) Mr. ADDAMS WILLIAMS proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairman and Mr. Colborne, the Central Chamber representatives during the past year, and referred to their excellent reports as proving good service on their part. Mr. O. REES seconded. In the course of his response, Mr. COI.BORNE observed, with regard to legislative relief to agri- culture, that no re-adjustment or transfer of local taxation, or any other single measure, would be sufficient to restore prosperity to farmers, but the latter must, in his opinion, practice economy, which was more I than ever necessary now in everything connected with agriculture. There were no large fortunes to be made now in agriculture, but there were many small economies to be effected. Mr. Colborne went on to say that he sent a copy of the resolution passed at Newport recently on local taxation to MivBright, because he was anxious to refer to Mr. Bright's statement in 1868 that no Government was worthy the name of a Government which could not govern the country under £70,000,000 (the expenditure was over £80,000,000 now), and .he had received the following reply:— One Ash, llochdale, Dec. 22,1881. Sir,—I must refer you to reports in my speeches for what I have said on the subject of expenditure. Some are in newsp¡¡,pers-perhaps all of them; some are in the published volumes of my speeches. As to the cClln- plaints of chambers of agriculture about public expendi- ture, I can only say that they are Just enough but I would remind you and them that every increase of ex- penditure during the nearly 40 year's I have been in Parliament has been supported by the representatives of farmers. County members are the most eager sup- portprs of military expenditure, and, indeed, of what- ever extravagance our Administrators have been guilty of. I shall be very glad if now they take a turn, but I observe them more willing to throw the burden on to some other shoulders than to insist that the whole burden shall be lessened. I thank you for lending me a copy of the resolutions to which you have drawn my a.ttention.-I am, respectfully yours, JOHN BRIGHT. Now, he (Mr. Colborne) did not ask for any ex- ceptional relief, or any unfair transference of local taxation, but a re-consideration of the whole ques- tion in the interest of the taxpayers generally. On the motion of Mr. W. JONES, seconded by Mr. STRATTON, the chairman and Mr. Colborne were re-elected Central Chamber representatives. The CHAIRMAN, having thanked the chamber for their expression of confidence, entered into a con- tention that chambers of agriculture were doing more good than the public generally were inclined to allow. Referring to the question of local taxation, he described Mr. Gladstone's reply to the deputa- tion which waited on him on the previous Tuesday as unsatisfactory. (Hear, hear.) A larger portion of the community than Mr. Gladstone thought was of the opinion that local taxation pressed unjustly upon agriculture. (Hear, hear.) The speaker also replied to the assertion sometimes made, that the efforts of chambers of agriculture tended rather to the advantage of owners of land than the occupiers. Even were that so—and he denied that it was—the occupier would indirectly benefit. 5IK. BUCKMASTER'S LECTURKS. Mr. STONE announced that Mr. Buckmaster, who recently lectured at Newport, was willing to give further lectures at Monmouth, Abergavenny, and Usk on the subject of technical education, accord- ing to the desire expressed. Mr. STRATTON, while commenting on the admi- rable nature of the first lecture, remarked that the object Mr. Buckmaster and the Government had in view was the establishment of classes for impart- ing technical education. He had not tho smallest hope that the young farmers of the county would attend such classes, but would consider their prac- tical work at home more important, and, therefore, he thought they ought not to ask Mr. Buckmaster to come down again. Mr. COLBORNK similarly expressed himself. The matter was, however, referred to committee for consideration. THE DINNER. A large number sat down to a good dinner, pro- vided by the host of the Three Salmons. At the close, the chair was again taken by the ex-presi- dent (Mr. H. Williams). THE PREVALENCE OF FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE. The EX-PRKSIPENT asked the chamber to express its opinion on a matter of great importance—the imminent danger of the introduction of foot-and- mouth disease into this county. It was in different localities not far from this county. There were five cases of the disease, all of which were traceable to cattle purchased in Bristol Market. The matter had been brought before the authorities of the county and Newport, but the latter had shown an indisposition to act. He thought that an expres- sion of opinion from this chamber would show the authorities of Newport that something should be done. The farmers wislied to protect themselves. Cardiff was also interested in this matter. He had no wigh to utter a threat; but if the authorities of the boroughs would not listen to this appeal, all he could say was that steps must be taken to shut up those markets. (Hear, hear.) Mr. STRATTON said he had little to add to the observations just made. Monmouthshire was ex- posed to a great danger. If the markets in ques- tion were closed for the introduction of live cattle, it would not affect the consumer. There was no practical difficulty in sending over dead cattle. He moved, "That a letter be written by the president of this chamber to the Mayors of Newport and Cardiff, calling their attention to the existence of foot-and-mouth disease in the neighbourhood of Bristol (which outbreaks have been traced to that market), and to respectfully request that the Newport and Cardiff authority take immediate steps to prevent cattle coming from Bristol Market to either of their towns." Mr. RERS KRKNE seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. THE FUTURE WHEAT SUPPI.Y OF THE UNITED KINGDOM. Mr. CGPK read a. paper on The Future Wheat Supply of the United Kingdom," in which, after pointing out the fact, that Great Britain was greatly dependant upon America for her bread- stuffs, he argued in favour of cultivating a grain trade with our colonies. He believed that the United States would for a few years continue to fmpply the bulk of our requirements, but gradually and surely, as our settlements take place, our supply from the great North-West would increase, and sooner or later Great Britain wiil obtain her wheat supply from her own Canadian Dominion. (Applause.) The KX-PRESIDENT moved a vote of thanks to Mr. Cope for his interesting papers. (Hear. hear.) Mr. E. J. PHILLIPS seconded the motion. Mr. Stratton, Mr. Colborne, and others having spoken, tlfe motion was carried.

SELF-MADE HAY. We are glad to find that, real progress is being made in the design and construction of apparatus for making hay bv means of the heat generated by its own fermentation. The hay thus treated is freed from all danger of spontaneous combustion by a system of internal flues from which the heated air is exhausted by means of a suction fan. thus causing the mass to be permeated by the coler air, and bringing the temperature down to the exact point required for perfectly curingthe stacked grass. The matter has been brought under the notice of local agriculturalists by the very able letters that have appeared in' these columns from the pens of Colonel Turbervill, Mr. John Prichard, and others, and so great is the interest excited by the subject that a very active correspondence has taken place in connection therewith. The public will be glad to know that Mr. Charles D. Phillips, of Newport, has set to work with lift accustomed energy and intelligence to thoroughly master the details. He has been in correspondence with all the agricul- turalists who have put the new plan into practical operation, and improving and amplifying the ideas he has gathered from them has designed a simple and inexpensive appliance, by which the new method of curing hay can be adopted profit- ablv by the smallest farmer whose harvest consists of one mow" only. Mr. Phillips adopts iron pipes, with flanged joints, which can be readily screwed together in any lengths by an ordinary farm labourer, instead of the cumbrous drain pipes laid underground and set in cement, which have hitherto been usually employed. These pipes communicate at one end with a cavity in the centre of the stack, and at the otherwith an exhaust fan, mounted, upon wheels, so as to be easily moved from one place to another, and so arranged- that it can be worked with two handles by a couple of labourers, by a horse gear, or by steam power. The iron piping, which is very inexpensive, would remain at the bottom of each stack until the whole of the hay therein was con- sumed, but the exhaust fan, by a simple arrange- ment, can be disconnected and moved from place to place, so that the one fan would operate on half-a-dozen stacks one after another, regulating the temperature in each. We understand that Mr. Phillips is making arrangements to show his system in practical operation at the Bath and West of England Show, to be held at Cardiff during Whitsun week.

The Prince of Wales has accepted the office of president of the Smithfield Club for the year 1883 Last month the officers of the Fishmongers' Com pany seized at Billingsgate Market, eight, tons 14 cwt. of Ash as unfit for human food. This is an unusually small quantitv.

THE FARMERS7 ALLIANCE. 1 MR. J. HOWARD, M.P., OX ITS. OBJECTS AND INFhtJENOE. On Monday night the first annual dinner of the united branches of the Farmers' Alliance was held at the Holborn Restaurant, High Holborn. Mr. Howard, M.P., presided, and was supported by Mr. James Bart-lett, M.P., Mr. Samuel Rowlandson (the late tenant farmers' candidate for the North Riding), Mr. W. Parsons, Professor Hunter, and many other gentlemen identified with the tenant farmers' movement. After the usual toasts, The CHAIBMAX gave The Farmers' Alliance." During the three years the Farmers' Alliance had been in existence it had, he said, been exposed to the most stringent and most persistent misrepre- sentation—(cheersj—more so than any other asso- ciation of agriculturists ever had t'l contend with. Nor did that opposition seem to diminish; on the contrary, it seemed to have increased during the last winter. There was, however, one consolation to be derived from that opposition, and that was that it would show the public that the farmers were not, quite so impotent as some people would have the public to believe. The opposition they had had to encounter arose not from antagonism to the objects of the Alliance, but from fear that that union which had existed so long between the tenant farmers and those who were called the country party would be broken. (Hear, hear.) The object of the Alliance was to better agriculture, without reference to what effect it would have on either of the two great, political parties. No association had a purer or more natural ambition than the Farmers' Alliance; and its foundation was mooted long before it was set on foot. There was a widespread feeling at the close of the late Govern- ment's tenure of office that very little had been done for the agricultural in- terest. (Hear, hear.) All that the Government had done was to appoint a Royal Commission to inquire into the reason of the depression, and the remedies for it. Neither of the two great par- ties had any proposition to make, so they quietly concurred in the appointment of a Royal Commis- sion. They (the tenant farmers) thought that the time had come when a more determined and more active policy should be pursued. (Cheers.) It was felt that a more aggressive policy should' be pursued, and that they should, by public speeches, advocate remedial measures from the tenant farmers' point of view. The result, of that determination was the forma- tion of the Farmers' Alliance, which was destined to represent the wants of the tenant farmers of England in and out of Parliament. It appeared to the Alliance that the restoration of prosperity to the agriculture of England was of far more im- portance to the farmers of England and Scotland than the success or domination of one or other of the great political parties. [Cheers.) Therefore, they adopted as their motto, Agriculture first and politics afterwards." (Applause.) Notwith- standing the gravity of the situation for farmers and landowners, it was to be regretted that so many were led astray by the cry that this was nothing less than a Radical move and a Radical association. It was to be lamented that so many sensible men, from whom they might have expected better treatment, held themselves aloof from this movement. It was a source of gratification to the tenant farmers that the committee did not stand still for want, of sensible men upon the council, and that neither the abstention of the gentlemen to whom he had alluded nor the opposition of others had prevented the Alliance from growing in numbers and influence. (Cheers.) The Farmers' Alliance had not been content, to meet only in London and pass abstract resolutions and then to go home and think no more about it until they were summoned to meet again. (Hear, hear.) The Alliance had gone into the country and set men thinking bv their public speeches who had never thought of such subjects before, and they had the satisfaction of knowing that everywhere and ir. every centre, except perhaps one, they had met with the hearty approval of the farmers. Whatever the opponents of the Alliance might say or believe, he knew that they had sown seed which was bearing fruit, and would grow a larger crop as time went on. As regards the gentleman who had lately been the candidate for the North Riding, he might say that though that gentleman I was not, successful, for whom he confessed he was very sorry, nevertheless the Alliance had the effect of causing the Conservative candidate to a.doptthe views of the Alliance before the farmers of the North Riding would give him their support. Again, the tendency of the views of the Alliance were being made more familiar to the country by being constantly discussed in the press and by public men throughout the couny in all the counties of England. Al this had tended to expedite the time when the attention of the country would haVfe to be directed to agricultural questions, and they would have to be settled by Government. Upon the great question of tenant right they would have to beware. They would find the members upon whose support they had a right to reckon attempt to show that, however desirable it was to inquire into the relations of landlord and tenant in the past, m the present circumstances of the country, when the tenant and the landlord are not upon an equality, there is no necessity for dealing with the subject at the present time. There must, be no relaxation in the efforts that were being made in the present depression to bring the landlord upon a nearer equality. Notwithstan- ding all the opposition and the misrepresentation by which they had been met, he thought they had got reason to congratulate themselves on their suc- cess, and that the movement had much to look for- ward to in the future. (Cheers.) Mr. J. W. BARTLETT, M.P., respondM'to the toast (;n behalf of the Farmers' Alliance. He expressed the opinion that, the Farmers' Alliance were destined to work a great reform in the condition of agriculture in England, and had even in the past made a mark on the politics of the country. The Farmers' Alliance had been con- sulted by the Government as to the proper form in which they could go into the matter of reform- ing the Game Laws. (Cheers.) The Alliance had also taken active proceedings relating to the Law of Distraint, and he hoped that at the end of the present session the law of distraint would be a thing of the past. (Cheers.) The large amount of abuse the Alliance had received showed that it was making progress, for it was always a cause that there was reason to fear that, was most abused by its enemies. The Farmers' Alliance did not wish for itself any exceptional power, but only wanted for the fanners that. freedom which the manufacturer has for his trading, and all other traders had. Mr. ROWLANDSON, in responding to the toast of "The Farmers' Candidate for tho North Riding and his supporters," condemned the restrictions at present placed on farmers as to their rotation of crops, and said the country had a. perfect right to demand that the land should be made to grow as much as ir, could. One of the first steps that should be taken was to get rid of the Law of Distress—(hear, hear)—which was pressing unfairly upon the farmer. These abuses could only be remedied by the return of tenant farmer candidates to Parliament, and the first step in that direction was to secure the equalisation of the borough and county franchise. He could not see why the agricultural labourer should be deprived of a vote when the labourer in the towns, who was no more fitted to exercise it, had one. (Cheers.) He thought that a point on which legis- lation was demanded. As to the question of extraordinary tithe, he had no doubt it was becoming ripe for settlement, and would be dealt with very soon. Other roasts followed.

EMIGRATION TO AMERICA. TO THE EDITOR. SIH,—Although 5.000 miles from my native place (South Wales), it is often with pleasure that 1 read your valuable paper, which is sent me by a friend, and see what is going-on i n the old country, and as I am so well-known to many who take and read your interesting paper, it may interest some (tÎ them to know what kind of a country this is, and vhat chance there is here for the different classes of people. I have travelled all through the east,! and have been west, as far as the Yellowstone National Park, which is the land of wonders, and by the end of the present year it is anticipated that. the Northern Pacific Railroad wid he com- pleted to a point advent t" the park, and open up to the world for the first time that marvellous region, and there is no donbt. that the tide of tourists and sight-se"rs from all parts of the world who will crowd thither during the summer months of each year can only be numbered by myriads, and it would be difficult to imagine anythingmore complete in the way of pleasure travel than a grand tour across the boiian/.a wheal farms of North Dakota, the weird Had lands" west, of the Missouri, the grazing regions of the Y ellowstone Valley, the grand scenery along the Columbia, and through Puget Sound to tlh sea, thence homeward by way of the Golden Gate and San Francisco as to size the park is entirely worthy oi the nation that owns it, being 65 mles in length by 55 miles in width. Of game in this unspoiled wilderness there are the elk. moose, black tailed deer and antelope: three varieties of bear, the mountain lion, wolf, lynx, pine-marten and badger. Of wild fowl, which breed there in myriads, there are the swan, pelican, brant, wild goose, duck, crane, snipe, and prairie hen, but that which astonished me most was the gathering together in narrow space of specimens of all tlllI is beautiful, stupendous, and marvellous in nature. The Yellowstone Park may well be called Nature's parade ground. I now wish to convey to the reader of this letter the advantages one has in this country; there is a grand neklhere for all classes of men and women. The labourer gets three dollars a day, which is equal to about 15s. in the old country, during the sitmmer months, and two a day during the winter months, and in many cases they get, more. Living J: a little more expensive, but at the same time it must be remembered that the labourers here live as well as some of the legal advisers at Llandovery, and a man has every freedom he desires. Of the farmer I may say that I know this class in South Wales as well as any man of my age, having spent many years amongst them in Carmarthenshire, Breconshire, Cardiganshire, and Radnorshire, and I thoroughly know their mode of living; and having been connected with the leading banks for several years, I may say I knew who placed a little on deposit at the rate of 22 and 3 per cent. interest after paying their half-yearly rents; I also knew the unfortunate individuals who had to come and borrow the full amount to pay the rent due, for which they had to pay interest at the rate of 10 per cent., or even more, and it is not improbable that this letter may catch the eye of some t unfortunate individual who has been crippled, if not ruined, by such institutions; here a man can iQvpst his money at 12 per cent. interest upon the very best security then I say this is the Country the farmer. A man in Wales who pays a. yearly rent of £50 and upwards can come here with such an amount and in a few years have an independency, and be the owner of 480 acres of as good land as a crow ever flew over. The capitalist has a great field here; a man possessed of from £5.000 to [ could, with every safety, realise §4-00,000 in a very short time, or he could invest it in freehold pro- perty and draw an annual income of C2,000 a ve.r. The mechanic can get from four to six dollars a day, and there are excellent openings here for all kind of business men, and any man who comes here with a little capital, goes into business, and attends to it., will, in a few years, make his fortune. Women can hire out to hotels, boarding and private houses, and get from 830 to 40 a month and all fpund. In reading your paper and the Standard, I have seen where some 01 the mor? enlightened members of Parliament have, at public meetings, mentioned America as the country for farmers and labourers, and, if I re- member correctly, one of the hon. members for Bristol has, at public meetings, referred to this country as the great field for all classes of men. and he certainly is right, and I go further, and say thst America to-day is the country for every man that will put his shoulder to the wheel. A man can go to Montana with §1.000, invest in sheep, and in a few years become rich. or. if hs prefers, he can come to North Dakota and raise wheat, and in five years be a wealthv man. Should anyone who may read this letter feel disposed to work up a colony and come out here, I mav tell them that I am in a position to make arrangements with the Northern Pacific Railway- Company for their transportation here at half rates, and I am also in a position to locate them on some of the best land in North Dakota or Montana, and now, when everything is so unsettled, and the depression of agriculture continues in the old country, is the time for the heads of families to give such a matter their earnest and immediate consideration, make up their minds to come out, be independent and get rich the climate is every- thing that, can be desired. Should anyone feel disposed to writo me to the address below, I shall be pleased, free of any charges, to furnish them with any information they may require. 1 may mention to those who may not know the difference in currency between the two countries that a dollar island 80 odd cents. Trusting I have not intruded too much on vour valuable spwe,-I am. &c.. J. GWYNNE-VAUGHAN, Sanborn, Dakota, C.S. America, Jan. 8, 1882.

QUARTERLY RETURN OF BIRTHS AND DEATHS IN SOUTH WALES. During the three months that ended on the 31st of December last there were 944 births and 483 deaths registered in the district or union of Cardiff, the latter total occurring against an average of 462, taken from the three previous corresponding periods. The deaths include 144 below one, a.nd 82 that occurred at 60 and upwards. There were 47 deaths in public institutions, 40 were inquired into before the coroner, and 22 were due to violence. The fatal oases of contagious diseases were- Measles, one; scarlet fever, eleven; diphtheria, four; whooping cough, eighteen; fever, nine and diarrhoea, twelve—an exceedingly satisfactory return on the whole as to the state of the public health in the district in the past quarter. It is true that the deaths pass the average for the quarter, but the excess is small, if, indeed, any, if due allowances be made for increase of population; and, further, the serious cases of contagious disease were very few in number. In the sub- district of Whitchurch the deaths were .27, or seven below the average. Two were due to whooping cough. In the Cardiff sub-district the births were 853, while the deaths numbered 440, or 35 more than the average of three years. Measles caused one scarlet fever, ten diphtheria, four whooping cough, fifteen; fever, nine; and diarrhoea, twelve. In the St. Nicholas sub-district the deaths were 21, or two under the estimate. Scarlet fever and whooping cough each caused one. *e o s 2 f i- o o S 'S i ><OS a « a. IS J oo u — « g Registration Sub-Dis- g c.—i -5 t-ricts in 33 p5 t-i 98 £ .§!"5 the Union of Cardiff. s IjJt™ 5 Ss ° "i (S is Q'lg I Ma la Whitchurch 6,455 50 27 16'7 2 Cardiff, W.H S4.7S5 853 440 18*5 51 St. Kiehol&s 5,137 41 21 16'3 2 Total 106,356 S44 i 488 j 18"3 55 OTE.- o-, tliaworkbouf-e is situate in the sub-distrier, sea therefore the annual rate of mortality is higher than it would be otherwise, in consequer.ee of certain deaths being entered there which properly belong to other places similarly H denotes hospital. The birth-rate for Cardiff is 35'4, whereas the mean of twentv c," the largest towns is 351, and for all England 33"0. Slightly correcting the death-rate it stands at 17-9, and here the mean, as before-mentioned, is 221, and for England and Wales 18-6. There were, further, 155 deaths recorded of infants' under one for every thousand registered births, and here the mean of twenty towns is taken at 148 a somewhat high rate of infantile mortality thus prevailed in the borough. The chief infectjous diseases gave rise to an annual rate of 2-1 in Cardiff, against a mean of 3 5 for the chief towns. In South Wales the births recorded in the past quarter reached 7,295, thus exceeding the average of the three previous corresponding periods. The deaths were 4.215, and here a similar esti- mate is not reached by 146. The deaths include 163 in public institutions, and 155 that were due to violence. If it were not for the appearance of numerous fatal cases of scarlet fever, the accounts given as to the causes of death would have been very good; as it is, 11 fatal cases are returned for Cardiff district, 111 for Pontypridd district, 230 for Morthyr Tydfil, 17 for Bridgend, 7 for Neath, and 15 for Swansea district. Twelve fatal cases are given for Llanelly, and twelve for Carmarthen. A fatal case of small-pox figures as a black spot in the Swansea return. In Pontypridd, Merthyr Tydfil. and Bridgend districts the deaths greatly exceeded the averages through the attacks of scarlet fever. The other local returns for South Wales are of a very assuring description. • S 5?! S Registration Districts 5_; iTl "-53 South Wales* ^3 s 3 W ti -5 !-c -s o £ 1 P & i i i GIAMOKGAWSKIRK— Cardiff 105,356 944| 48fi! 55 Pontypridd 93,479! 9521 536! 135 ]V!ert hvr Xvdfil 101,421! 853| 78?! 23G Brisiorfnd A8.912 303j 185! 24 Ssath 52,090 483| 211! 23 Pontardawe 20,178 169; 7SI 4 Swansea S5.0S8 895 421i 41 Govrer 11,097 77 87j 1 CARMARTHENSHIRE— Llanellv 44,616 39hj 179! 26 Llandovery 14,240 107; 48! 2 I.iandUo t?awr 17,324 154., 88' 4 Carmarthen 35,071 232j 165j 17 PEMBROKKSHIRE— Na; berth "19,525 123; 79, 15 Pembroke 30,^32 24l! 133j 17 Haverfordwest 33,762 291| 159j 9 CARDI«4>:SHIBK— Cardigan 17.581 110; 71 1 Newcastle, B 19,015 120| 71 4 Lampeter 10.076 /0: 1 Aterayron 1^.537 64] 4^, 4 Abervstwith 25,600, 1^9; 73 5 Tregaron 10,271 66, 31 3 BKKCKNOCKSK;RK— Luilth 8,182 43; 30 1 Brecknock 17,178 111] bS\ 3 Crickhowell 18.554 139] 101 5 Hav 10,217 65. 44! 2 EIDXOKSHIEK— Knighton 11,(82 106; 37 5 Khavader 6,741 38! 18. — }¡7():iE.Th-e districts are collections of contiguous parishes or places combined for the purpase3 of rcgis- rratuMj. They are nearly always identical with the Poor- Jaw unions of the same iia;-re3.

REVIEW OF THE CORN TRADE. The Mark I.mlf Ezprtss of Monday say? :-Thc continuance of dry wether has brought the land into very good order for spring work, and under the present circumstances a large acreage will be sown during this month. The condition of the wheat plant at the beginning of February is very satisfactory. During the past week it has made i little growth, if any, and on wheat lands proper it is now uot, too forward for Itiq time of year. With regard to the grain trade there is no change j whatever to notice, so far as native produce1 is concerned. lleie and there in pro- vincial markets Knglish wheats have been a turn higher or lower, just as supply happened to have been liberal or restricted, and quality and condition favourable or otherwise. In all the more important. markets prices have been maintained with more or less of difficulty ,or best samples, the rest being, for the most part, unsale- nble'to millers. Country flour continues to come forward freely, and values are nominally un- changed, although trade is slowly drifting into a weaker position. There is no change to note with to trade for barley, oats, beans, or pens; and malt, remains very inactive. Tlie trade for foreign wheat off stands has not improved during the past, week. I The Farmer of Monday says :-nusine5 is again interrupted by foggy weather, otherwise the attendance of buyers is fair, and late prices are paid. English wheat in good condition makes full prices; best foreign samples are also hrrn much offered is but secondary quality, and this is neglected. For flour the demand is moderate, and value steady. Maize and malting barley un- changed; feeding barley 6d. cheaper: oats 3d. lower for new Russian; beans and peas rirm. Tone of trpde quiet-

HUNTING- NOTES. 1 THE GLAMORGANSHIRE HOUNDS. Thj Glamorganshire hounds have been having capital sport the last few days. On Friday week they had a good run and kill at Dynas Powis. and had a repetition of good luck on Monday. The meet, which was at Coedriglan, was attended by Sir Joseph Spearman, The Mackintosh and Mrs. Mackintosh, Miss Woods, Miss Williams (Miskin), Mr. and Mrs. Tudor Crawshay, Mr. R. T. Bassett,'| Mr. tilyn Homfray, Colonel and Mrs. Lindsay, Mr. p Birt. St. A, Jenner, Mr. WbitticK*, Mr. Knight (Bon-1 vilstone), Mr. Edwiu Price.Messrs. Kruce, Mr. K. Tyler, Mr. 1). John, Mr..)• Rees, Mr. J. Thomas (Cowhririo-p),Mr. J. Thomas (Last-field), Mr. Morgan, kc. The lind at Coedriglan did not prove suc- cessful, and after a short cold hunting run from Whit-ton Wood towards Bonvilstone the fox was lost. Later on there was a ifin(I and a rare run over the Bonvilstone, Llantrithvd, ana Coed Hills, tlie doffs o-oin^ away at a rattling pace towaids Llanbethderrv. where, the hounds pressing the fox hard, he turned and came towards Treguff, where he was run into in the open and killed in the he was run into in the open and killed in the meadow below the farm house. The time was about 50 minutes. The gentlemen who were first up were Mr. D. John (Pentre), Mr. h. Tyler, and Mr. E. Price.

George Weston was on Tuesday charged at the E. Price. George Weston was on Tuesday charged at the Mansion House with having wilfully damaged the statue of Queen Anne, in St. Paul's Churchyard. It having been certified that he was a person of unsound mind, He was committed to Stone Lunatic j Asylum, where he had formerly been confined.

WELSH NON-DIVIDEND-PAYING I RAILWAYS. I The articles which appeared in the Railway News In September last have had the effect of directing I attention to the large field which the administra- tion of the Welsh railways affords for intelligent combination in management, and the carrying out of many economies in their working. That there should exist about 500 miles of railway, in a por- tion of the United Kingdom inhabited by the most thrifty and industrious of our population, which yield no dividends upon the capital invested in yield no dividends upon the capital invested in their construction, is a matter well calculated to attract the attention of practical men of business, and especially that class" who possess the faculty for organising industrial undertakings. The capital embarked in these Welsh railwavs is of the nominal amount of £ 14-,000,000. The great bulk of this capital is held by finance companies, which 1\ some vears since invested their funds and lent their credit-to the promotion of these and many other undertakings which have also a history of loss and disaster. It is useless now to inquire into th* modes in which th." business of these companies was conducted. Their directors and managers may have been rash, a.nd even reckless, I in the advances which they made to contractors and other promoters of these works. The fact, however, remains that a large portion of the pub- lic were induced to subscribe to the capital re- quired for these associations, and legacies oi a large amount, in the shape of Lloyds B,n" and other temporary forms of securities, which have since been converted into debenture and preference stocks, designated by almost all the letters of the alphabet, now remain to attest the confidence which at one time existed in the divi- dend-paying properties of Welsh railways. That these railways are capable of earning money if only due regard were paid to the expenditure, and the unnecessary waste of establishment charges were avoided, is clear from the fact that in 1880 the 24 separate companies earned a gross total of £450,000, while the average working expenses -were about 89 per cent. With such a network as the Welsh railways re- present manv useful anù profitable combinations are obvious, and apparent to any person who will give even a cursory glance at the map. There are SOll1; small links to provide, which would com- plete main and important trunk lines, or supply valuable feeders to existing companies. One very remarkable instance has recently I occurred in the case, of the Carmarthen and Car- digan Railwav, which was disposed of to one of the greater companies upon terms which yielded considerable over par, for shares which, but for the energrtic action which was taken, would now have been unsaleable at 90 discount. At a meeting of the Imperial Crecht Company an important step was taken towards 'bringing about much- desired changes in the management of the large amount of railway property held by that company. Mr. Samuel Peto, representing the interests of a large number of the shareholders in the Credit Company itself and others who have the mis- fortune to hold the depreciated securities of one or more of the Welsh railways, hag taken up the question with such good effect that he has been able to secure the majority of the voting power, has been elected director of the company, together wIth his colleagues, Messrs. Doughty Browne and Fearon, who have rendered him much valuable service. It is further satisfactory to find that at the London Financial there are also evidences of a movement among the dry bones." Sir. J. W. j Batten brought before the meeting of shareholders on Wednesday the consideration of the company's investment in Welsh railways. He pointed out, from tin figurts which have already appeared in the Rei/trap Yelrg, that there do exist in these properties germs of vitality which need only the practised ability of j men of business to quicken into life. The proposal to which he referred, of consolidating the whole of the existing companies into one undertaking, is well deseiving of careful consideration. The saving which could be effected by united manage- ment, he estimated, would be such as to reduce the percentage of cost of working from the present average rate of 86 to 60 per cent., and thus enable dividends of 2 per cent, to be paid on the ordinary stocks invested in these undertakings. A new stocks invested in these undertakings. A new company to be formed, with a moderate amount of capital, and would command the conn- denco of the present proprietors and of the public, would be in a position to exchange its shares or stock for the confusing and intricate mass of the present unmarketable \S elsh rail- wav securities, and thus take the first step towards evolving order out. of tho existing chaos. The directors uf such a company, possessing some knowledge of the working of railways in this country, and aided by an experienced and practical man as general manager, would be in a position to decide upon what missing links might be necessary to give homogeneity to the system, to direct trie working of the railways, supply necessary rolling- stock. and induct negotiations with existing raii- ways for interchange of traffic*, cr working agree- ments, upon terms very different from some of ways for interchange of traffic cr working agree- ments, upon terms very different from some of those which have been entered into by isolated j lines, and in which the interests of the smaller and weaker companies have \griorantly. if not wantonly, sacrificed to the larger and more power- ful corporations.— The RciUrcy Ivetcs.

THE CARDIFF ART SOCIETY. FOURTH EXHIBITION. The exhibition of the Cardiff Art Society, which was opened in the Town-hall, Cardiff, c.n Wednes- day week, was visited by a considerable number of pel-sons on Thursday, and its admirable collection of works of art was much admired. The object of the society, of which this is the fourth annual meeting, is to cultivate and bring together upon a common ground the artistic talent a.nd energy which exist in the town. In the attainment of this: object grét. progress has been made, and it is not too much to say that considering the rapid manner in which the present exhibition had to be organised, owing to circumstances over which the committee had no control, it shows upon the whole a decided advance upon its predecessors, though some of these readied a high standard of excellence. The improvement is noticeable in the professional as well as the amateur work which has been s^nt; and the latter has been reinforced "contributions of pupils in the school of («rt, which form an appreciable addition. The arrangements this year are to some extent new. certain alterations having been intro- duced with a view to popularise the exhibi- tion. To the ordinary attractions are added evening conversaziones and concerts, and tlie duration of the meeting is to be extended from one or two day, as heretofore, to probably ten days, which will afford ample opportunity to everyone interested, not only to make their customary visit, but to study the exhibits with critical care. The total number of works of art presented on the screens is 221. and these comprise 77 oil paintings, 81 water colours, 44 miscellaneous works, and 19 loan paintings, kc., contributed by working members. The exhibits of professionals include some very superior productions, by such distin- guished artists as Henry Henshall, Edwin Hayes, R.H.A., and John Mogford, I.P.W.C. Sulpicia." | bv Henshall. is a thoroughly good example oi' that artist's work at, its very It is for sale, but the right of exhibiting in the Koyal Academy this year is reserved. The study of a, head in oil from the same studiois a fipe paint- ing which obtained a silver medal at the Royal Academy. Bamboro' Castle/' by John Mogford. is an effective and vigorous rendering of this sub- ject, under a beautiful effect of sky. This is in oil: and the water colours by the' same artist, "Near Bettws-y-C'oed, North \Vales." uncI" South- wold Pier," are well worthy of notice.' u Dalkey Sound. Dublin," in oil, and Terrifa, Coast of Spain," in water colours, by Edwin Hayes, are ex- quisite works, and do credit to the artist, whose talents have long been recognised. But as this is a local exhibition, our readers are probably more interested in the works of local artists, and oT these, we wiil treat more in detail. In our preent no1 ;cr we shall confine ourselves to the oil paintings, which form the most important department; and will reserve our comments on, the water colours, &c.. to a subsequent, article. One of the principal exhibitors is Captain Short, who contributes six paintings, all of which arc of more than average merit. '• The Mosque of St. Sophia, Constantinople," is a very good picture, showing t h mosque and the promontory on which it stands in the effect of early morning. Cape Oollona represents the Gulf of Athens, with the cape on the summit of which a famous temple stands. It is n excellent picture. The West Mud, Cardiff/' The Penarth HFad." and Porilicawl are interesting and faith- ful sketches of subject? with which we are- all! familiar. Mr. E. Woolley is a new member, whose exhibits are an acquisition to the society. He con- i tributes a scries of studies of heads, which only a person who has gone through, a regular course of artistic training could produce. The paintings of the two ladies are in a style of uncompromising portraiture, and are yet full of artistic arrangement and feeling. A Frieze." by S. W. Allen, is an unfinished panel of Queen Cathedra and her maids—a scene from Shakes- peare's p:av of King Henry A III.' Although in- complete, enough can be seen of this work to show that it is one which is remarkable both in excel- lence of arrangement and colour. Mr. Edward Pavne's "wild Wild Wave" is an effective original study: and his renderingof "Patient in Tribulation." after Goodall. is marked by fidelity and exactitude. Mr. T. H.Thomas contributes two beautiful works, Tip Girls Leaving Work and Studv of an Arab s Head both exhibit excel- lent qualities in arrangement and colour. The "Tjp Girl" was painted from a group of girls seen descending the pit bank at sunset'in the neighbourhood of Pontypool. and is a verv truth- ful and vigorous representation of a "homely scene. The Arab's Head is un exquisite stuLh: showing carelul attention to detail. Mr. Fred. Turnon, who is one 01 the oldest members of the society, sends some pretty productions, including 'Che Monk at Prayer/' Lavernock Point from Penarth Beach/V'Th? Pretty Waitress," and •'Christ- arid the Woman of Samaria." Miss Kate Button shows a telling study of chrysanthemums.and Miss Jessie Jones exhibits a copy 01 a Pompeian scene upon which much caj-e has evidently been expended. The Orphans," by Miss E. L. Te'llefsen. is a good picture; and the four local objects by Air. T. "a.ter5 are almost photographic in their accuracy. Mr. J. Stuart Corbett contributes a very careful painting of the rocks at Wharnciiffe, and beautiful studies of chrysanthemums and daffodils, the latter of which are worthy of special comqpeoda- tion. "Lavernock Beach," "A Hillside above; Pwllypant," and "Penarth Beach! after Snow- storm, 1881." by Mr. Daniel Eee3 and the scenes by Mr. William G-oddard are interesting exhibits. The Old Oak," by Mr. Goddard, is a very fme study. The contributions of Mrs. Fanny Bush. Mr. J. Tilley, Mrs. Vachell, and Miss Winsttme are aiso deserving of notice.

A serious outbreak of small-pox in the borough was reported at the Nottingham Town Council on Tuesday. It was also stated that scarlet fever was j prevalent in somé of the crowded districts.

PROPOSED N EW LIBRARY AND I ART INSTITUTION AT SWANSEA. Mr Edward Bath presided over tne usual weekly meeting of the Swansea Public Library Committee on Tuesday. After a good deal of discussion it was resolved to return to Mr. Rhys Davies, a former hon. sec. of the committee, certain books which he claimed as his property, and at the same tinit to request him to assist tin- ommittee in discovering the deed of gift which Mr. Oeffett Francis executed in favour of tho corporation and which has been missing f some years.—Mr. I'Vancis, tlie hon. curator of the fine arts, reported that he had put together 168 additional works of art, and 21 of the prior collection, ready to co into the mounter and frame-maker's hands. It would be necessary for him to go to London with them in order to have the work done under his personal supervision, a.nd he, therefore, asked the committee to contribute JE3 towards his travelling expense's. Tne rest, he added, he would find himself.—Mr. Freeman moved, and Mr, Jer.kins seconded, the adoption of the report. which, was carried.—The Chairman a report from the borough surveyor as to the state of the library building. Mr. Cousins said that since he reporteu in September last a further settlement had taken place of the first and second floors and oi the wall; and it was necessary for the safety of the building that iron tie rods should u- iixed between the front and back walls, that the joists of the second floor should I* firmly wedged from the cross beam, and that the partition between the rooms on the south side should be remove I. 8.nd. if neces- i-ary. one of a lighter description put in. These repairs would cost about £.50, The Chairman went on to say that the property, committee of the town council had had a meeting that morning, and had resolved that such portions of the sur- veyor's recommendations as were necessary to secure the safety of the building should be carried out. There was also a pretty fair prospect that they would soon be able to commence the erection ) of ether and more suitable buildings. The pro- perty committee had even gone to the length of recommending the council to send a petition to the Treasury for permission to make a grant to the library" of a site on which to erect a new buil(ing. and also to borrow a sum of £5,000 on the security of the borough rates with which to commence the erection of a suitable building. The idea was that, although the building might ultimately cost more, still this sum would enable them to make a start and complete one portion of it—saj' the fine art gallerv—and in that to open an exhibition of loan pictures and works of art, by which means they might get the further sum necessary for the completion of the whole building. Of course there was the question of the arrear of debt, which had prevented them from putting aside any portion of | their income with which to pay the interest on borrowed money, but that was now surmounted, and he thought that they would now have. by cutting down the expenditure, sufficient surplus income to pay the interest on £4,OG0 or £5,000, and also to repay the principal. He should like to be supported by a resolution of that committee in bringing the recommendation of the property coinniittoe before the council.-lr, Bath then moved a res01ution, expressing the pleasure with which the committee ha.d heard of the action of the property committee, —Mr. G. B. Brock seconded the motion. He was glad to see that there was some light dawning upon them after the darkness in whicii they had so long been enshrouded. The building would cer- tainlv cost more than the sum which had been mentioned, but he had no doubt that when once they had the nucleus of the building they would, iind means to complete it.—The Chairman re- marked that they had been obliged to limit the' amount, because he estimated that they could not afford to pay interest on a larger amount at present. The building at Cardiff would cost £ S.C00. nnd he did not know that Swansea would be satisfied with anything less than Cardiff. —Mr. Lewis asked whether the proposed combina- tion of the Royal Institution and the School of Art with the library and art gallery had been abandoned.—The Chairman said the school of art might easily be combined. The Government had made a grant of JE900 towards the erection of the Cardiff building, which included the school of art, but they had applied a portion of their penny rale towards paying the teachers, and he did not think Swansea was prepared to do that. As to the com- bination with the Koyal Institution, that would cause a very great delay before tLycnuld arrive at an amalgamation, because it was so much of a private character. They would have to realise their property, and in the meantime whr.t should the library committee do in this miserable tumble- down building r—The Mayor said he only intended to combine the school of art and science, and there would be no difficulty in that. He suggested that they should now build a shell sufficiently large to receive the library and school of art. and in which they could hold an exhibition. The motion was carried, and a committee was appointed to select a site for the new buildings and report to the com- mittee.—On the proposition of Mr. Feman, it was decided to apply to the Cymmrodorion Society for some of the works of the fate Joseph Edwards, thE: Welsh sculptor.—Mr. Glascodine, who li-ad given notice of his intention to move that the branch libraries and news-rooms be closed, said bethought thev should spend no unnecessary money upon newspapers and such things. He found that during eleven months of last Y",3r £83 was spent on newspapers anù maps. They should endeüyour to improve the library and spt'nd their money on books and works of permanent interest rather than upon ephemeral literature. He thought that now they were so badly off they wcrt) wasting money in providing newspapers for casual readers, and it was not fair to those who had money invested in j newspaper properties that the committee should buy copies of the local papers with money out of the rates. He would, therefore, propose that the news-rooms at the Central Library, Morriston, Landore, and St. Helen's be discontinued. Of course, he added, there were certain paper" which, when bound, constituted permanent literature. With regard to branch libraries, he found there was nolmwch at Landore, and that the books at Morriston were specially given as the nucleus of a library there, and, therefore, he did not think it w-uld be fair to take them away, although they ought to set their faces against increasing the expenditure thtre.—Mr. Jenkins seconded the motion.—Mr. Lewis pro- posed, as an amendment, that the matter should be adjourned for a month—Mr. Freeman seconded the amendment.—The Mayor_ said the motion would be destructive of the objects of the institu- tion. The primary objeet was to provide working men with a place to go to. Perhaps every man could afford a penny for a paper, but he could not huv all the papers he could see. in the reading- room.—Mr. Brock agreed with the mayor.—The motion was lost by a large majority.

SWANSEA TOWN COUNCIL. The unfortuna te piece of business with regard to the proposed appointment of borough justices again formed one of the most important items in the programme of the Swansea Corporation meeting en Wednesday. On this occasion the play was performed in three acts, other matters being dis- cussed in the intervals. First came the letter from the Lord Chancellor declining to disclose the name of the gentleman by whom the list of the proposed magistrates was recommended, which was immediately followed by Mr. Burnie's motion declaring the present system of roakiii0 the appointments unsatisfactory. Alder- man Ford's letter constituted the next, and the last set. was the explanation of the Mayor that he had not intended to say anything uncom- plimentary of the council, and that the unflattering allusion to that befdy in his letter to the Lord Chancellor arose out of a conversation he had with the ex-mavor, Alderman Jenkins, M.P. The remarks or" Mr. W. J. Rs. who actually moved a vote of censure on tlie Mayor at the last meeting, plainly showed that he was sailing on anoêheL t ick, and as all the other members had apparently been convinced from the beginning that no pos- sible good could result from a prolonged discus- sion on the matter, it was allowed to drop. The council displayed complete unanimity on the proposals made bv the property committee with a view of building a new Free Library and School of Art. The report presented to the works and sanitary committee by the medical officpr of health is of an unusually satisfactory nature. The death rate for the quarter ending December 31, 3 831, was 19'6 jjer annum for the whole district. The rate of mortality for Swansea proper and St. Thomas was only 13'5, but for Clase and St. John it was 23*5, and for Llansamlet 19-4-. which brings the aggregate death rate up to the figures given above. When all the out-lying dis- tricts are completely drained and supplied with water there is no doubt that Swansea will be one of the healthiest towns in the kingdom and, thanks to the efforts of such persistent sanitary reformers as Mr. Freeman, this, wcrk is being carried on as rapidly as possible. Another long, 1 and not altogether orderly, discussion on the pro- posed extension of the tramways left the matter pretty much in the same place fI it was a month ago. Tlie committee recommended that the com- panv should be compelled to construct the line from the top of Walter-road tll High-street, and the line through Tnion-street to the bottom of Wind-street before they made the junction which will connect the Morriston section with the Mumbles section, and also the Walter-road section with the Docks. The company have pleaded their inability to carry out the section from the top of I'nion-street to the bottom of Wind-street., owing to the cost of widening Greenfield-street and Rutland-street. Some members argued in favour of their being allowed to carry out the other two sections, leaving this one to be con- structed at a future time. The counsels of the committee prevailed, and it- remains to be seen whether their recommendations will be adopted ny Parliament,. It is difficult, to see any vahw reason, whv because the comnanv are not m a position to proceed with one of the three sections, any obstacle should be thrown 1. the way their can-ving out the other two, which, combined, are certainly of greater importance.

It is stated that the Lord Chancellor has under- taken to introduce the Married Women's Property, Bill in the House of Lords which was in the House of Commons last session. It, is expected that the Duke of Edinburgh, who during the last three months lias been insDec.ting the several^ coastguard stations around Scotland and Ireland, wili next visit the stations on the Welsh coast. An old man named Shoolin, 80 years of age, who lived in a hovel at Ormskirk, has been suffocated in his sleep, a candle lIayina set fire to his bed. 1:.4-8 III gold was found sewn up in the lining of Jhis coat. Notice of an injunction to restrain the Corpora- tion from building the Small-pox Hospital at Burmantofts has been served on tbe Mayor of Leeds on behalf of the ratepayers and property owners of the neighbourhood. At the adjourned inquest on the body of Mrs. Riley, who was killed at Smethwick Railway Station, the jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death." and added that the railway company were very much to blame for not providing a sufficient look-out-at the crossing to warn passengers of ap- proaching trains. I

THE WINTER ASSIZES. MONMOUTHSHIRE. On Friday, Feb. 3, the business of these assize was commenced in the ShirthidL Monmouth, be- fore Mr. Justice Lopes. His lordship opened the commission on Thursday night, and went, toO St. Thomas's Church on Thursday morning, escorted by the high sheriff (Mr. James Graham) and his retinue. The Rev. J. T. Harding, vicar oi Rock- field. the high-sheriff's chaplain, preached from Exodus xii.. 25. At a quarter-past eleven his lordship took his seat in the CROWN COURT. The grand jury was composed of the following gentlemen:—The Hon. F. C. Morgan, M.P., fore- man Mr. S. R. Bosanquet, Mr. J. A. Rolls, M.P., General Somerset. Messrs. J. M. Herbert, T. Cordes, F J HalL, L, A. Homfrav, G. G. Griffin, E. Lister, W, Llewellyn, F. J. Mitchell, R. H. Oakley, K. Yaughan. F. B. Vaughan, A. D. Berrington, J. M. K*i.nerman, H. Clay, W. E. C Curre. James Davies. J. T. Price, Hopton .6. Williams, and A. AddamS Williams. THEFT OF A WATCH AT ABERGAVENNY. Samuel Smith, 45, labourer, was indicted for stealing a watch, value £3, the property of Stephen Collins at Abergavenny, on the 25th of January. Mr Darling prosecuted prisoner was undefended. The ary found the prisoner guilty, and the judga sentenced him to four months' hard labour. BUEGLARY AT ABEBGAVENNY. William Jones, 25, labourer, pleadid guilty to burglariously entering the shop of Thos. Jeffreys, at Abergavenny, on the 1.4th of December, and stealing two boots, value i"2.; also to rteaJing a shirt, the property of Thomas Paske, at Llanvapley, on the 18t of December also to stealing two stock- ings and other articies, the property of Rossanna Williams, at Llanddevti Rytherch, on the same date. He was sentenced to nine months" har" labour. ALLEGED THEFT OF FODDER. John Watkins. 4S, haulier, was indicted for stealing a quantity of fodder, value Is., the pro- perty of Francis Henry Perkins, at Dixton, on the 10th of January. Maidy prosecuted; Mr. Darling defended. The prisoner, who is in the amploy of Mr. James, picked up a little clover as litter he passed prosecutor's rickyard early on the morning named, and was detect ed in this act- by Thomas Colas, a hr servant in the employ of Perkins. The jury acquitted the prisoner. A HIGHWAY ROEBEKY AT NEWPORT. Elizabeth Clark, alias Bcndon, 43, hawker, and Henry Hendon. 35. labourer, were indicted for feloniously assaulting -loseph McCarthy, and steal- in from his person the sum or 12s. 9d., a.t New- port, on the 14th of January. Mr Amphlett pro- secuted, and Mr. Boddam defended the male pri- soner. The prosecutor is a labourer. and had beer working latt at the Old Dock, Newport, removing the iron ore which formed part of the wrecked steamer Constancia. As he was returning along Dock-street, about eleven o'clock, the female pri- soner accosted him, and, putting her arm round his waist, robbed him of the money, which was in his trousers" pockci. Finding that he was robbed, he attempted to detain the w oman, but she cried out, G eorge, George," and the male prisoner came up, and something approaching a fight occum-d, in which prosecutor got the better o" his antagonist, and caused him to run away. Before he did so prosecutor noticed the woman give him something; a.nd when Bendon was subsequently apprehended at his lodgings, four florins, stained with iron-ore dirt similar to those prosecutor htd lost, were found in hb possession.—A boy named James Essex, who was going home at the time. saw the two prisoners in company just before the woman accosted the prosecutor. hilst the two men were struggling together, the woman rushed at M'Carthy and seized him by hair of his head. M'Carthy seized her. and retained his hold until assistance arrived.—The principal charge against the mala prisoner was abandoned, and the case against him went to th jurr on the second count of being acecssorv to the robbery after the fact. The jury found both prisoners guilty, and Ciark admitted A previous conviction at Usk in June, 1880. Clark was now sentenced to twelve months' hard labour, and Bcndon to nine months' imprison- ment. STABBIXG BY A BOY AT NEWPORT. Charles Morgan, 14, plasterer's labourer, sur- rendered to his recognisances, and was indicted for maliciously stabbing a.nd wounding Ralph Jones. with intent to do him grievous bodily-harm, at Newport, on the 6th of June last. Mr. Amphlett prosecuted; Mr. Littleton defended.—In opening the case to the iurv. the learned counsel for the prosecution described it as one 01 a most painful character, the prosecutor being a youth of not mort than seventeen years of 3ge, and the prisoner be:ng only fourteen years. The day on which the offence was alleged to have been committed the prosecutor, who resided in Dolphin-street, Newport, haabeentow-itness some athletic sports at theNew- port grounds, and. on his return, seems to have come in contact with prisoner, who was playing with other boys in the street. The prosecutor, from some whim or other, feigned drunkenness as he joined in the games which were going on* and some rough play; it did not appear on the evi- dence that anything serious occurred. Prosecutor was taken a way from the spot to his home sevwal times, but returned, the last time eating an orange. The boys commenced teasing each other, and, while prosecutor was eating the orange, the pri- soner, without any provocatios whatever, went up to him with the knife in his hand and plunged it into his side. The result of this wound or wounds was of a very serious description. One of the stabfc penetrated, not only his clothing, but his lung for a considerable deptb: and, as the medical evidence- testified, it was not impossible that the wound might even yet be productive of very serious, if not fatal, consequences. After- wards prisoner made a statement to the police that he intended only to put the knife through prosecutor's clothing, and not to inflict any injury to his person. It was, however, clear from the medical evidence that a very violent stab ha.d been. inflicted. Evidence having been called. The jury found prisoner guilty of unlawfully wounding, and he was sentenced to six months' hard la.bour. NISI PRIUS COURT. ("Before Mr. JUSTICE NOKTH.) His lordship having been detained at Hereford laic on Thursday night, did not arrive until after mid-day. He took his seat a few minutes after one o'clock, and proceeded to try the only cause entered. WILLIAMS V. THOMAS.. M Matthews. Q.C., and Mr. Ram. were counsel for the plain tift; Mr. A. T. Lawrence appeared for the defendant. In this case the plaintiff was Isaac Matthews, farmer, of Pcnypark. in the parish of Llanvihangel Crucorney, Abergavenny. Thedefen- dent was David Morgan Thomas. agent of Miss Elizabeth Morgan, a lunatic. Tha action was brought to recover a sum of money for hauling. In the year 1875 Miss Morgan determined to lID- prove the farmhouses on her estate. Plaintiff's farm formed a portion of the estate, and the plain- tiff did a large quantity of hauling during t e stveral months occupied in the alteration of h farm buildings. After hearing the opening of the case for the plaintiff, a verdict was taken for the plaintiff for £6318:6d.. subject to a reference to Mr. BosaU4 que1.. His lordship then proceeded to try prisoners. STEALING AT MOXMOFTH. Mary George, 54, was indicted for stealing a piece of bacon, the property of Amos Jones, on the 29th and a tumbler, the property of Richard Slatter, on the same day. Prisoner was found guilty. There was a previsus conviction in 1871., The "charge of stealing the tumbler was not gone into. Prisoner was sentenced to four months' hard labour. WHOLESALE STEALING. Jane Bun, 41. dressmaker, pieaaed guilty to one of several charges of stealing articles of apparel from tradesmen in the parish of Beawellty also to a previous conviction. Sentenced t-o two months' labour. BIGAMY AT RIrYV\TY. John Morgan. 42. labourer, pleaded guilty to feloniously marrying Mary Davies on the 28th of Augusi, his former wife being then alive, and was sentenced to six months' hard labour. WGCVDlNi: A WIFT: AT MONMOtTTH. James Powios. 45, blacksmith, was indicted for feloniously wounding, Jane, his wife. with intent to do her grievous bodily harm, on the 24th of November iast. Mr. Plowden appeared tor the prosecution Mr. Darling defended the prisoner. Tiie jury, after deliberating for about thirty-tive minutes, returned a verdict of unlawfully wounding, and prisoner was sentenced î nine months' hard labour. AM.KCED MANSt.AT-nHTnR AT NFWTOWN. Dpvid Beynon surrendered to his hail. ahu was indicted for the manslaughter of John James, at Newtown, Ebbw Vale, on the 4th of August. James had been drinking at the Pelican Inn. and outside that house he was knocked down, became insensible, and died. The jury returned a verdict of not guilty, and prisoner was accordingly dis- charged. The business did not terminate till half-past seven o'clock-

THE POSTYPRillD STIPENDIARY AND THE WELSH LANGUAGE. On Wednesday Mr.Gwilym Williams, the Ponty- pridd stipendiary magistrate, while trying an important case, in which several witnesses unable to give their evidence in English, found great difficulty in obtaining a suitable inter- preter to interpret the evidence. At last his worship fixed upon a police-officer from a mountainous locality as being likely to be master of both Welsh and English. This officer, however, floundered so wofullv in the mazes of Welsh, Glamorgan patois, and English, that his Worship said, somewhat warmly, 1 hat he questioned whether it was not his duty to call tha attention of the chief-constable to the desirability of having an officer appointed able to act as inter- preter in that court. It was absurd that no officer was present able to interpret the language of the people. The remarks created a flutter of warm approval among the audience. Sergeant Jones, the superintendent's clerk, who is a thorough master of the two languages, and therefore a com- petent interpreter, was absent from court at the time.

The Cape Government has published Bills pro- viding for postal reforms and establishing a Ministry of Justice instead of an Attorney General in Parliament. The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have awarded to retired Captain Philip de Saumarez the commander's naval pension of £65 a year, vacant by the death of Captain Frederick H. Stevens on January 27 last. UTILITY AND LUXURy-A quarter of a century. experience has taupht the ¡,JUhlic that, there is but on." Toilet Soap possessed ci these merit; cembined. Emi- nent dermatologists testily t hat there is but 0ne 80a,p which so cleans the skin that its natural, and conse quently healthy action V ensured. Medical officers or health everywhere recognise hut one Soap as a eD- tive of infectious disejme. Householders who luxurious bath see that no other soap enters the ba- room. It can be bought ev..rywbere..As .:>1: WRI&HT'B COAL TAB SOU. and refuse worttilee i mi tl\tions.