The Cardiff Times

SfAVY FAILTOlTNEAiTLIVEBPOOL. V,'&f the creditors of John George Bowcller and V1*8 as Bowdler, Chaffer and Co., at tfce;p >a* Liverpool, as iron shipbuilders, was hekl "?oeia^'m rooms, Liverpool, on Tuesday. The to of the firm snowed the total liabi. the debtf 84, aiul tlie total assets £ 11,350. £ 49,631 FCJ^-in-FRA '^secured. The assets consist chiefly of eroac^'0 a? fixtures. The debtors attended, and icjpidate w 0armned 1,y tllc meeting. It was resolved to -Ppo^teTS^ Ml H' W" Banaei'' accountallt> lc' 11 trustee.

OF GOVERNMENT AI^IMUNI- B.f Hotel BP?J10^ ^.Y THE POLICE. 2S?1, A &re has ^een marie by the police at Nun- for th?llaquf1,t/ y ^<1 blank cartridge, in- B^^arrirod a A? tmembera of the Nuneaton Rifle .tetSn th°ri8ed «tn ?1 the corps having was 86:6 £ for Iarge quantities of ammu- deposited upon the pr<- fe~you taIlt I ?ts, and V mme had been but secret— Oh! havi>. «ery was nothlpg to tnixibi"

CARDIFF TOWN COUNCIL. Pn ilonday a quarterly meeting of the Cardiff Town Council was held in the grand jury room at the Town- hall, the ex-Mayor (Aid. J«J»6B) presiding in the absence of the Mayor (Aid. Elliott). There were present Alder- men Alexander, Bo wen, Taylor, Winstone, Watkins, and Councillors Armstrong, Bodington, Bird, Cross, h. Davies, Dimca-fi, Enoch, J. Ev,aus (Bute-street), J. Evans (Pengam), Fulton, Rees Jones, D. E. Jones, Jacobs, D. Jones, D. Lewis (Roach), McConnochie, T. Rees, Hol- lands, Sloper, Stone, Sanders, Treseder, Thomas, J. W. Vacliell, Williams, aud Yorath. The minutes of the last meeting were read and duly confirmed. THE JUDGED CHAMBERS. A tender from Mr Ingledew of SloO, as the rent of his house for use as judges' chambers, was agreed to. TilE COST OF THE RECEXT KOATH ELECTION PETITION. On the presenting of the minutes of the finance com- mittee Mr DUNCAN said he wished to ask if the item stating that the Wood-street Chapel had been used for the municipal election petition at a cost amounting to £12 contained the whole of the expenses that would be incurred by the corporatism in consequence of that peti- tion because he had heard it stated outside that they had to pay the costs of the legal gentlemen who were sent down to make the inquiry, and that these expenses amounted to a large sum. It would be interesting to show whether the town was to be saddled with expenses of that kind with regard to petitions. The Town Clerk said that the law was that unless the candidates were declared to be guilty of personal know- ledge of corrupt practices, tlie expenses of holding the court, including the attendance of the commission, would fall upon the borough. In this case the commission had 50 guineas a day, and there were five shorthand writers brought down from London. The expenses would amount to £300 or £400, and they would fall upon the town unless the petition was either dismissed as frivolous, or guilty knowledge was bronght home to the candidates. The matter dropped." The minutes of the committee were passed nem. con. THE WESTERN EXTENSION SEWER, AND THE MOOR TENANTS. The EX-MAYOR -*aid he had a letter from tenants of land on the west side of the river asking for compensation for their property which had received surface damage through the construction of the western extension sewer. After some conversation it was agreed to leave the assessment for injury done to Mr George Thomas. ROUTINE. The minutes of the following committees were duly confirmed :—Tlie sanitary and the public works. THE CARDIFF IMPROVEMENT ACT. The minutes of a meeting of the Cardiff .Improvement Act Committee, held on the 12th of January, stated that the committee considered the question as to the acquisi- tion of property and the proposed, new street from Custom House-street to Mill-lane, and the committee recom- mended that notices to treat be given for the following properties, namely:—Custom House-street, commencing at No. 397 on the plan, and continuing westwardly to the end of that street; Charlotte-street, commencing at No. 383 on one side and 354 on the other, and continuing westwardly to the end of that street; the whole of Court Coleman's-row, westwardly to the Canal-bank from No. 304 on the Canal-bank northwardly to No. 290 in Little Millicent-street. The committee also recommended that the proposed new bridge over the Glamorganshire Canal at Mill-lane be abandoned. A plan of the alterations in question lay on the table for the consideration of the members present. The minutes of the committee being moved, Mr THOS. WINDSOR JACOBS proposed the following amendment That such portion of the report as refers to the improvements proposed to be carried out in Custom House-street, Charlotte- gtreet, Court Coleman's-row, and Little Millicent-street, be de- ferred for further consideration for a period of two weeks, at a special meeting1, during which time a plan of the suggested im- provements be handed to each member of the council, accompanicd with'a statement as to the sites likely to be acquired. Mr STONE seconded the amendment. Mr Duncan said that this was a very important matter indeed, and as one of the members of the committee he had given his attention to it. He was quite sure that the plans before them were the result of the best judgment of the committee; at thesama tima, speaking for himaelf, he should be only too glad to be relieved from direct respon- sibility in the matter. He could not say that he liked the look of this new plan. He did not think it was desirable to go into the discussion of it now, but he had a strong feeling that # it would be desirable to call in the advice and assist- ance of some really practical engineer to tell them how best to deal with this property. They had got Parliamentary powers for purchasing the whole of the property fronting Bute-street, and according to that plan the whole of the valuable portion of the property was left untouched. He thought it would be wise to get the independent report of some practical engineer as to the best mode of laying out the property under the Improve- ment Act. He deprecated sudden action in a matter in- volving such an enormous outlay. After some discussion, the matter was deferred to a special meeting of the council, to be held on the 26th instant. MINUTES OF COMMITTEES. The minutes of meetings of the cab committe, the Con- tagious Diseases (Animals) Act committeej and the fire brigade committee were presented and confirmed without discussion. THE GAS OF CARDIFF. The minutes of the light and water committee stated that during the past month the illuminating power of the gas in the borough had been irregular and low, and that the gas had been pure. The average illuminating power was to 13'ûG candles, or one-third of a candle below the standard. Mr SANDERS said that in the absence of the chairman he ) • ->- to jjiwp'J'ic tlio paooing of tlw 1 t:i 1 and water committee's .report, and in doing so he desired to call attention to the report of the gas inspector, which showed that this month the illuminating power of the gas had been below the minimum required by the Cardiff Gas Company's Act of 1870. It also showed that there had been an amount of impurity which ought not to be. Now lie desired on this point to draw attention to the fact that the private consumers of gas have no power to get at the Gas Company to procure for themselves a supply of good gas, and tlie corporation therefore, as the representatives of the ratepayers, ought to protect them, as by the the Gas Company's Act they have the power to. The company in procuring the Act very carefully pro- tected themselves, but took care not to give too much power to the corporation. They provided that gas should be supplied of an illuminative power of 14 candles, and they also provided that it should be pure, so far as it was to be free from sulphuretted hydrogen, and they gave no power to the corporation to require parity from other gross material. It was well known by the public that the gas supplied was of a very impure character, and also of very, low illuminative power. It seemed tol him unfortunate that some of the ablest men on that corporation happened to be also manager and chairman of the gas company, and thus they had a difficulty in obtaining so good a supply of gas as they might othewise have had. Having drawn attention to this matter, and feeling it to be the duty of the corpora- tion not only to protect the public but to protect their own, for that they were consumers to the extent of some £ 3,500 per year, he proposed that the report of the light- ing committee should "be amended, by resolving that the clerk to that board should write to the gas company .drawing their attention to the impurity of the gas sup- plied and to its low illuminating powers, and desiring that in future a better and a purer article ahan be sup- plied. Mr THOMAS REES seconded the motion, which was carried. THE RETURNS OF BIRTHS AND DEATHS. Mr DuNCAN drew attention to the fact that the sum of JE25 was paid for the supplying of lists of births and deaths to the medical officer. He thought this was quite an unnecessary expenditure, as the Registrar-General issued his report every three months. He took it that the registrar in the town had to supply the information to the Registrar-General, and also to the Board of Guardians. Dr Paine, medical officer, in explanation, pointed out the advantage of his receiving a list of the births and deaths every Saturday, as m the case of turasual mortality he could then take immediate steps to trace its cause. THE RAID ON A CARDIFF BROTHEL, Mr STONE said he had seen by the papers -that some people had been summoned for keeping a brothel in Moira-terrace. One of the policemen, when he was asked j he did not give information before about these houses wben Iie knew tliat they had been in ex- istence 14 or 15 years, was reported to have said that some one high in authority had prevented him. There were a great many reports in the town, but did not believe them, that some t>f their'boroiigh and county magistrates had been visiting these that when some policemen, after at the front door of one of the houses, climbed over the wall into the back, and got in at a back door, where they found several magistrates drink- ing and enjoying themselves with the fascinat- ing young ladies. (Renewed laughter.) He did not think that their magistrates would be guilty of anything of the kind, but i!O that the matter should be cleared up, he suggested that at the next meeting of the watch commit- tee the policemen in question should be summoned before it. Alderman WIXSTONE delivered a vigorous tirade against publishing the names of all persons found in these houses, as it could do no public good, aad he dared to say that they were not all Josephs who sat there. (Great merri- ment.) Mr AnMSTRoxa Wfl-q nMl'AI'f lnuta unaV 4-1 '■J -> The EX:MAYOR said that the subject ipust drop till the next meeting of the watch committee. PROMOTION OF POLICE OFFICIALS. On the bringing forward of the minutes of the watch committee, the following promotions of the Cardiff police officials were recommended by Superintendent Heming- way :-Georg:e LeWIs, inspector, to be raised one degree; John Walibi ldge and John Tamplin, first-class sergeants, to be inspectors Kichard Humphries, David Harris, and Henry Hawkins, second-claee sergeants, to be first-class sergeants enry .J ohns and Abraham Murley, acting sergeants to be second-class sergeants John Jones to be sergeant. Aid. ALEXANDER moved,and Mr YORATH seconded,that the recommendations of the superintendent be earned out.. t I 1 The Superintendent said that the increase of pay would only ^m^unt to £ 1 a week, and the Government would pay half of this. The motion was agreed to very cordially. ROUTINE. The reports of the property and market committee, the weighing machine committee, of the medical officer of health, the water bailm, and of the surveyor were con- firmed. THE IAANDAFF SEWER. The Surveyor, according to instructions, now laid be- fore the council an elaborate report on a comprehensive system of drainage for the western district. It showed that the sewage and storm water of the district, even as far west as Conybeare-roan, could not be received by the present sewers without additional storage room being provided. x, Tlie EX-MATOP. said that the report had been drawn up in consequence of an application from the Llandaff board to drain into the Cardiff sewers. He thought they should have enough to do to uram their own district. (Hear, hear.) It was resolved that a copy of tins report be eent to Mr W. P. Stephenson, the clerk, to the rural sanitary authority. THE EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS of CANTON AND ROATH The Town Clerk read the following letter: Education Department., Whitehall, London, January 23rd, 1877 Sir,—I am directed to state that the opinion of Mr J Brown Q.O., and Mr C. Bowen, has been submitted to the counsel of this Department, who says the Cardiff Improvement Act of 1875 is a Jocal Act, wliich relates to the same subject matters as the Public Health Act, 1875, and falls within Sec. 803 of the Act. It would therefore be competent for the town council, as the local authority of the district, to apply to the Local Government Board to alter any provision in the local Act by a provisional order. Whether the Local Government Board would entertain the proposal and would ma.ke the provisional order for the purpose contemplated, and proceed to procure its confirmation are questions which must be referred to the board. If they decline, I apprehend that there must be another local Act to amend and explain the part now under discussion, but it is too law to introduce it this Session. I am to inquire what course tbc 4council now propose to pursue. entiy, honour to he, sir, your obedient servant, he had left W p. Cumjt, Seactary. cecun. "icrk, Cardiff. the clause referred to (3031 enabledJhe Local Government Board to extend the pro- visions of any local Act of all or part of a borough. The Ex-MAYOR said the difficulty arose out of the fact that there would be a school board in the Canton district. The Llandaff School Board would include Canton, Grangetown, and Caerau, and they asked for a foreign body (a body foreign to Cardiff) to manage a certain portion of work in the town, with the power also of levying rates in this district for working the district outside of this board. The cor- poration naturally obiectedto delegate such power to any one 11-e. The Llandaff School Board would have no power to levy rates in this place inside their borough. If they had it would be vuy objectionable that anybody like that over which they Lad no control, should come into Cardiff. They were in this difficulty. When notice from the school board was sent to the Canton district they (the corporation) objected to it. The corporation said "You Jiave objected to us doing anything else." It was universally^ understood by the promoters that they did not wish to interfere with them at all, as they should be breaking faith with the people of Canton. That clause was used for the purpose of preventing any extension of the school board to the parishes of lloath and Canton, until the Education Department tbnllght.iit to exercise its power. It seemed that the clause had been a bar; to the exercise of any power of the kind, and they asked them now to go in for a provisional order in the present Session of Parliament, Roath would be entitled to have the provisional order, but Canton would not. The Town Clerk pointed out that there were other boroughs in the same position as Cardiff, such as Stafford and Brighton, and the Parliamentary agents were anxious to know what Cardiff intended doing in tlie matter. Mr THOS. REES said that in relation to this matter the Cardiff School Board met a few days ago, and it was then decided that the chairman of the board, together with the vice-chairman and some other members, should form a deputation to meet the council that day to ask for a deputation from the coun- cil to unite with them to go to London and see "the Education Department, and possibly the Local Gov- ernment Board, in relation to tiie matter, and so get the thing settled. Of course the country had decided that its children were to he educated, batheda-redsay that they 'knew from their own knowledge that they occupied a very anomalous position in the matter. There were between 3,000 to 4,000 children in that pavi of tlie borough lying outside of the old bewough, for whom there was no school accommodation. But children had to lie educated, and the work of educating them had been delegated to certain public authorities, but it was a vexed question as to who this authority was to be. According to the Act of 1876 they found that the town council in a borough was to do it, supposing there was no school board, and in a parish the board of guardians had to act in that capacity. It turned out by this clause in tlie-^Cardiff Improvement Act that the matter could scarcely be decided whether the board of guardians was the authority or whether Ct was the town council. He had heard it said that the guardians was the body, but he was not at all decided in the matter, as he thought it still devolved upon the coancil. Supposing the guardians was the body, they were no use, inasmuch _as they were not empowered to erect school buildings, m fact no body but the school hoard could erect school buildings. He thought they should, for the credit of Cardiff, attend to this matter at once. (Hear, hear.) They had 3,000 or 4,000 children uneducated, so he begged to propose;- That a deputation be appointed, to consist of the Mayor, the ex- "Ma\*or, and AMerman David, for the purpose of waiting- upon the Education Department and, if necessary, upon the Local Govern- ment Board, in order to secure the adoption of some measure having for its object the extension or the area of the Cardiff School Board district to the whole ot the borough, and that the Town Clerk be requested to communicate our-intention to the authori- ties of boroughs similarly situated with ourselves. Mr DAVID JONES seconded the motion. Mr DUNCAN said. this was a question that had been 'before them on previous occasiciM, and he thought they, as a body, well understood their exact position. Since it was discussed at that board a new Act of Parliament had come into force, rendering it compulsory that these chil- dren should be educated, and in consequence of that they were standing in the very responsible position of not heing in a position to offer facilities to these children, in consequence of the unfortunate clause that got into their Improvement Act. Now, the parties who were saved, or were supposed to be saved, by the action of that clause in the Act—the residents in the parishes of Canton and Roath, that had now been included in the borough- would not join with them in endeavouring to get the school board district extended to the same area as the borough boundary, because it was compulsory now that education should be provided. Had it not been for the difficulty in which they had been placed as a borough since their enlargement, the Education Department would have ordered the deficiency in Roath to be sup- plied before this time. It occurred to him that they had complied with all the suggestions the Education Department had thrown ont to them. They had taken counsel's opinion, and had done everything they could as a corporation to put this matter right, and it appeared to him that it was obligatory on the part of the Education Department to assist them out of the dif- ficulty. They had suggested a course which was certainly an economical one. It would be undesirable for them to promote a Bill to get rid of this clause, and he thought under all the circumstances thev should send a memorial to the Local Government Board, asking them for a pro- visional order enabling them to do this. This had the recommendation that it would put them in no worse posi- tion. It would let them know whether they had power, and whether they would exercise that power. While agreeing with Mr Rees, it did not seem to him the exact thing to send mlOther. deputatIOll to the Education De- partment. He thought they should send a memorial to the Local Government Board, and simply carry out the suggestion that had been offered to them by thetdncation Department themselves. He had sketched this resolution, which the council could adopt or not as it thought well. That this • council adopt the recommendation of tlio Education Department, and that a-statement setting out in detail tho position of the extended borough in regard to the Elementary Education Acts of 1870 and 1876, and the 17th clause of the Cardiff Improve- ment Act oflS75 he prepared by the Town Clerk, together with a memorial to the Local Government Board, praying- fur a pro- vÎSional order to extend the area of the local school district tG the whole of the borough." Mr REES pointed out that memorials caused more delay than personal deputations. Alderman BOWEN begged to second Mr. Duncan's pro- position. as there had been a deputation already. The EX-MAYOR supported Mr. Duncan's amendment, saying it contained the best course adaiited to gain their object. Mr REES was willing to adopt Mr. Duncan's suggestion if the clerk wrote to the other boroughs in the same position as Cardiff, so that they might have concerted action in the matter. Mr DANIEL LEWIS thought it would be too bad to have a school board saddled upon Roath without first calling a meeting of the ratepayers to get their opinion on the point. Mr SANDERS said that the objection to a school board in Canton really came from Llandaff. Mr BODINGTON thought an opportunity should be given to the Canton ratepayers of speaking on the point, as to whether there was a deficiency of educational accommod- ation there. If there was this deficiency, he would be glad to see it supplied. Mr DUNCAN observed that it would be perfectly super- fluous for the ratepayers of Canton or Roath to express the opinions which Mr Sodington and Mr Lewis had suggested, and they evidently did not know that by the last Act of Parliament the matter had been taken entirely out of their hands. Mr REES JONES pointed out that there would be time for both Canton and Roath ratepayers to speak before the commissioner when he came down. After some further discussion Mr Duncan's motion was carried. THE CAHDIF*" Town CRIER. A letter was read from the town crier of Cardiff, stating that he would resign liis appointment if £20 a year was not added to his salary. (Laughter.) On the motion of the Ex-MAYOR it was agreed to accept the resignation of the crier. THE CORPORATION AND THE FREE LIBRARY. Alderman TAYLOR then moved the-following resolution, of which he had given notice :— That the resolution passed oil the 9tli day or November last, authorising the sum of £ 900 to be paid for the purposes of tjw: Free Library, he rescinded. That a grant of one penny in me pound be made to the Free Library 1Qr the year ending 9th November. 1877, based oft the net amount collected on the rates made the previous year, and ending- on the 2.0th day of September. He said it appeared to be the unanimous feeling of the committee at the last meeting but one that this question of the library should be now settled. Mr SANDERS seconded the motion. Mr ARMSTRONG moved the following amendment :— That tho former resolution in reference to grant for Free Library purposes be rescinded, and that the council agree to the request of^he deputation from the Free Library Committee to increase the jrrant for Free Library purposes to one penny m the pound on the |ro"s rateable value of property in the, mm.ic.pol borough. He said in proposing this resolution, he. had a great amoimtof support at his back. The had heen partially discussed before by the council, and he had heard opinions expressed by memoersof that; boaid which were sufficiently strong to mauce him to propose the motion. He had conversed with a great many people about this question outside that board, and he thought, there was a strong public opinion in favour the passing of that resolution. Beyond that, the Free Library' tomnut- tee had passed a unanimous resolution, which was in keepin" with the"spirit of the resolution he submitted to them," andfithey had confirmed that resolution by sending a deputation^ tojhe in U1 e £ on the gross rateable value of property in the municipal borough. Those who had read the daily papers would find, what was a most unusual thing, that the opinion of the two daily papers of the town was in harmony with that resolution, If gentlemen had read the South Walts Daily News they must have seen that that paper echoed his resolution to the echo. Mr Armstrong proceeded to show that the town cierks in a number of towns in the country agreed with him except the town clerk of Cardiff, and so had several eminent lawyers, including Mr Mclntyre Q.C. lie did not know why Cardiff should be made an exception in this matter to every town in the kingdom The EX-MAYOR remarked that the proposal of Dr Taylor was the most just one. Alderman WINSTONK said that the Free Library com- mittee was the most mismanaged institution in the town. (Mr ARMSTRONG Question.) It was the question. They got £ 900 or £ 1000 a year, and there they sat m solemn conclave, like a parcel of fishermen over a dead marine. As to the reading room of the library, the walls must be saturated with carbon—(laughter)—and lie challenged them to show that first class artisans frequented it. There being no seconder of Mr Armstrong's amendment, Dr Taylor's motion was put and carried. THE PA NIT A RY CONDITION OF ROATH. Mr HEER ENOCH moved :—_ That a committee be appointed, consisting of the Ex-Mayor, Alderman Taylor, and Councillors _Bodmjjton, Stone, and.101m Evaus (Roath), to examine the samtaiy condition of the .Roath Ward, and to report thereon to the nexti meeting. Mr DANIEL LEWIS seconded the motion, winch was carried. THE EENT OF THE FREE LIBRARY BUILDING. Dr TAYLOR moved :— That the offer of £,200 a year as tac rent of the Free Library building be accepted by the corporation for the next 1-2 months. The EX-MAYOR seconded the motion, remarking that during that time they might get some better premises. The motion was carried, and the committee, after trans- acting some unimportant business connected with the burial board, adjourned for a fortnight.

TLOTULINE !—FOR THE TEETH^ND BREATH.—A few drops of the liquid "FJoriiine" sprinkled on a wet tooth brush pro- duces a pleasant lather, which thoroughly cleanses the teeth from all parasites or impurities, hardens the gums, prevents tartar, stops decav, gives to the teeth a peculiar pearly-whiteness and a delightful "fragrance to the breath. It removes all unpleasant odour arising from decayed teeth or tobacco smoke. "The Fragrant Floriline," being composed m part of honey and sweet herbs, is delicious to the taste, and the greatest tonet discovery of the ago. Price 2s 6d of all Chemists and Perfumers. Prepared by HENRY C. GALLUP, 493, Oxford St., London. 4UM—A HOLLOW AY'S PILLS AND OINTMENT.—During the pierc- ing winds and excessive variations of temperature everyone is more or less liable to internal and external disease. Throat, chest, liver, bowels, kidneys, and skin all suffer in some degree, and may be relieved by rubbing in this Ointment, aided by proper doses of the Pills, for administering- which full iEiecti< ns accompany each box in truth, anyone who thoroughly masters Holkway's instructions" will, in remedying disease, exclwj g-e I tho laf/aur of an hour for the profit of a lifetime. All bronchial, pulmonary and throat disorders require that the Ointment should bo thoroughly weU rubbed upon tho skin twice a. day with great regularity, considerable briskness, and much per- ai»*>uc0

CARDIFF RURAL SANITARY AUTHORITY. The monthly meeting of this board was held at the Town-hall, Cardiff, onWednesday. Mr H. O. Jones in the chair. There were also present AJr C. Vv. David, Mr T. Williams, Mr C. French, Mr T. 13a»-*i6, Mr D. Llewel- lyn, and Mr Richard Jenkins. The Dork read a loiter from the Cardiff borough surveyor, Mr J. A. B. Wil- liams, with reference to the drainage of the city of Llan- daff into the Canton system of the Cardiff drainage. He Enclosed a copy of his special report to the tUrdiii Town Council on the drainage of the western district of the borough, by which the rural sanitary authority would sec that the present system of sewers was- quite insufficient for the proper drainage of that district when developed, and the Cardiff Town Council could not therefore enter- tain the proposition for receiving the drainage of the city of Llandaff into the existing sewers of the western dis- trict. The CHAIRMAN said this was an absolute refusal on the part of the Cardiff Town Council, and it would be necessary to find some other scheme for draining the city. It was a question whether it would not be desirable to lay the matter before the Local Govemment Board, and ask them to send a commission down. Mr T. Waring, C.E., attended the meeting at the request of the chairman, and stated that he had not yet prepared an alternative scheme, but would do so by the next meeting. A small committee was then appointed to draw out a plan showing the district which it was proposed to drain, and the question was adjourned till the next meeting to enable Mr Waring to prepare a. scheme for draining the city of Llandaff irrespective of the Cardiff system. A letter was read from Mr South, secretary to the Cardiff Waterworks Company, containing the terms upon which that company would undertake to supply the city of Llandaff with an abundant and proper supply of water from the Cardiff Waterworks Company's mains. The terms were a minimum rental of jS400 for a period of not le.^s than seven year". The CHAIMAN considered that such terms could not be entertained. It was estimated that the water rents for the whole district would only bring in about £13()' a year, &nd the remainder would have to be provided by the rural sanitary authority. This was clearly too heavy a tax upon the residents of the city. At present the water gupply of Llandaff was closely connected with the prope drainage of the city, and nothing could be done until they had a drainage scheme before them, and knew how far such a system might affect or improve the present water supply. The question was then adjourn en until Mr Waring had laid before them his scheme for the drainage of Llandaff. The Medical Officer, Dr Granger, reported that during the past month there had been 21. deaths in the district, but eight of them were those of infants under one year. The death rate had increased from 12, last month, to 15 per 1,000. There had been during the month 4'2 births. Mr Williams, the inspector for the north district, re- ported that the whole of the houses in Forge-row, Pentyrch, would be shortly closed as unfit for habitation. In the hamlet of Van there were several houses in an unwhole- some condition, and three not fit for habitation. At Glandwr there were two cottages in a most dilapidated state, and one of them occupied by a man, his wife, and six children. At Rudry there was one house not fit for habitation, with only one sleeping room, but occupied by a man, his wife, and six children. The room was small and badly ventilated, only giving a capacity of 800 cubic feet. The Cefnon Farmhouse was in a very dilapidated state. It was almost falling in, and without any sanitary arrangements. The medical officer, Dr Granger, had also reported on these houses, and the clerk was directed to take the necessary steps against the owners. The report of Mr Barstow, the inspector for the south district, contained nothing of importance. Some cheques were signed, and the meeting then sepa- rated.

SINGULAR CHARGE UNDER THE CUSTOMS ACT. At the Cardiff police-court, Wednesday—before MrR.O. Jones, Mr Alderman Alexander, Mr W. D. Bushell, and Mr G. Bird—Chas. Hardy, a. fireman, belonging to the steamship Merthyr, and Elizabeth Hardy, his wife, were charged with unlawfully harbouring certain uncustomed goods, contrary to the 18Gth section of the Customs Consoli- dation Act of 1876. Mr Waldron, who appeared to prosecute on behalf of the Board of Customs, said that the defendants were charged under the 186th section with knowingly harbour- jng, or concealing, or having in their possession, uncus- tomed goods. In the month of November the officers of the Customs received information that a good deal of smuggling was going on at the Penarth Dock, and from one of the vessels in the dock they traced a large quan- tity of brandy, which was afterwards found concealed in the dwelling-house of the defendants at Grangetown. Mr Thomas Walter Mitchell, an out-door officer of Customs, said in the month of November he received in- formation that a good deal of smuggling was being car- ried on by some of the crew of the steamship Merthyr, then lying in the Penarth Dock, and he was also in- formed that a part of the goods had been removed to a dwelling-house at Grangetown. On the 18th of Novem- ber, accompanied by Mr David Rees, Mr F, Mrtchell and Mr Joseph Batt, he went to the house of the defendants, 19, Hewell street, Grangetown. They were armed with a writ of assistance from the Collector of Cus- toms. The female defendant was in the house,but the male defendant, who is a fireman on board the Merthyr, was at that time OIl board the ship. When the house was searched a few bottles of brandy were found in a cup- board in the front room others in another cupboard in the back room, and in the back bedroom upstairs on the bed, but concealed by the bedclothes, he. found a large number of bottles of brandy. Altogether 5D bottles of brandy and one of rum were found. The female defendant on being asked how they came there replied that she did not know. The bottles bore the French brand, and were evidently smuggled. Mr Daniel Rees, examining officer of customs, corrobo- rated the evidence of first witness. He also said that some of the bottles were found in a box on the landing. The total quantity fomd was 9 gallons 29 gills of brandy, and 6 gills of rum, the value of which was £10 Is. lid. The" defendant, in reply to the bench, said that he should like to know how the brandy came there. He staked Mr Rees if he knew. Mr Rees I have not the slightest idea. Defendant: The parties who told you could tell where it came from. Mr R. O. Jones thought that the prosecution had not proved the case. They had proved that they found a large quantity of spirits in the house, but they had not proved where it came from. Mr Waldron contended that by the 259th section of the Customs Act the onus of proof was thrown on the defen- dant. They found on the defendant's premises certain goods which were evidently uncustomed goods. It was for the defendant to show that the duty had been regularly paid. Mr Jones They might be put in your wine cellar. Mr Waldron And then it would be for me to show under this Act that the spirits had come there in a regular manner. Mr J ones considered that they had nets-one far enough. They were in a position to prove how the goods got there by calling the person who gave them the information. They declined to do so, and there was therefore no evi- dence to phow that the goods were uncustomed or were improperly concealed. After consulting together, Mr Jones said the bench were of opinion that sufficient evidence had not been given tp enable them to eonvict the defendants, but if Mr Waldron wished for a case for the superior courts they would grant one. Mr Waldron then applied for a case, winch was granted.

CARDIFF NATURALISTS' SOCIETY. The annual meeting of this society was held at the Town-hall, Cardiff, on Tuesday Dr Taylor, the retiring president, m the chaii. Ihe following ladies and gentle- men were elected members of the society .—Mr William Dallar, 18, Woodville-terrace Cathays Mr C. Vizard HarnVon, the Parade; Mi- J. K. Lucas, the Parade; Mr W..Sanders, Conway-road, Canton Mrs Treatt, R oath-road; Mr John 1 nomas, St Andrew s-crescent' Mr Louis Taylor Cathedral-road Mr E. de Scliiaffino, -Woodbine-villa, Ihoath-road Mr L. H Strong, Penarth; and the Rev II. Venables, St John s icarage. The Hon. Sec., Dr Vachell, read the animal report. The society was ll1 a highly satisfactory condition. It now consisted of 483 members, being a net increase of 19 during the past year, m which (53 new members had been elected, but many old members had left the district or had T^esJ>t?I\ec'' while death had re- moved others. W llad long been found that the position of the society and t.ie Cardiff museum was some- what unsatisfactory, and the Cardiff Eree Library had now handed over the entire charge of the museum to the Cardiff Naturalists bociety who had recently elected two curators, and it was hoped that in a short time a paid curator would be appointed, wnen the museum would be opened daily. The Balance in the hands of the treasurer was £lG4 Is 6d, against tl.t0 4s lOti for the close of 1875, giving an increase of £18 16s 8d. b On the motion of the -lrRESIDENT, seconded by Mr P. PKICK, the report andst- teoient of accounts were adopted. Mr ERANKLEN G. EVANS, M.R.C.S., E.M.S., read his annual meteorological report. He, in the course of a long and able report, referred to the very sudden changes and fluctuations of the barometer, and as the barometer fell plosion/he attributed that explosion to the sudden re- moval of atmospheric pressure from the surface of the coal The rainfall had been excessive, and had the whole quantity fallen at one time, it would have covered the surface of the district to a depth of four feet nine inches. The greatest number of wet days was experienced at Glyncorrwg, where there were 210 wet days Sring the year, the average for the district being 165. Treherbert was the wettest place and Ham the driest, and these two places had held these relative positions for many vears The highest temperature recorded was 90 degrees and the lowest 20 degrceR. The mean temperature had been 51 degrees, the highest average since 1858. Tho high temper- ature of 90 degrees had never been exceeded. There had been a great number of sun spots, but the greatest number would appear in 18^8, when they might expect some scorching weather. On the motion of Mr LUKIS, seconded by Dr VACHELL a hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr Evans for his annual report, and also to those gentlemen who had kept a daily record of the rainfall and atmospheric phenomena in their localities, and thus enabled Dr Evans to prepare his annual report. In the early part of tne year two prizes were offered for the best collection of plants^ one the plants embraced in the first six orders of Linnaeus, and this prize the Chairman said had been won by Dr Vachell. The prize for the best collection of plants found on the ballast banks was awarded to Mr John btorne, 30, Copr.or- strect, Roath. The Chairman spoKe very highly cf thiu collection of plants. The PRESIDENT then delivered his retiring address reviewing tlie work of the society for vhe year, and also the progress made in 3cience and arts during the same period. In conclusion he thanked the 11. ^1 the committee for the great sendees 1 him during his yenr of office. The officers for the year were afterwaj John W. Lukis, M.R.A.I., was elect 1877; Messrs Eranlden G. Evans, _Y Taylor, M.D., Henry Heywood, and Rr then elected vice-presidents. Mr P' elected hon. treasurer Rev W. E. Williams hon. curators and Dr v hon. secretary. Twelve members comm ttee. Mr lJUKIS the newly-elected pi chair, and thanked those present f upon him. Mr JAMES BEAVAN subsequen paper on Water, its composition A vote of thanks to the author

EXCITING FOOT-RACE AT CARDIFF. Several hundred persons assembled at the Canton naming grounds, on Monday afternoon, to witness a foot- race for £20 a-.iiue, bd-twecii Many Lewis, Ystrad, Rliondda Valley, and Timothy Sullivan, Cardiff. As is usual on such events, the" people from the hills came down in large numbers, and apparently well supplied with money, judging from the manner in which they supported their man. The betting was from the com- mencement in favour of the Welshman, 5 and 6 to 4 being freely offered, and occasionally greater odds were given. Though tlie running grounds are enclosed, a large number of the rougher portion of the population of Cardiff and Canton obtained access by scf.liug a wall, and the consequence was that the strangers were roughly handled. Indeed for some time it was doubtful whether there would be a race as the roughs were, in the absence of the police, perfectly uncontrollable. Soon after three o'clock, however, the course, which is well roped, was cleared, and the runners appeared. Mr Tipping, Cardiff, acted as starter, and to impartial persons performed his duty fairly, whilst Mr Jeffries, Church-street, Cardiff, acted as referee. The men got off pretty well together, Lewis, who seemed to be in good form, showing to the front. Sullivan ran very pluckily, but was not able to catch his opponent, who won, after a very exciting race, by IJ, yards. The roughs again became troublesome, and seemed bent upon having a row indeed, two or three free fights took pIa-c. Sullivan was well supported, and as a result, a good deal of money changed hands.

FRACAS BETWEEN TWO EDITORS AT SWANSEA. At the Swansea borough police-court on Monday— before the mayor (Mr Jno. J. Evans), the stipendiary (Mr J. C. Fowler), Alderman T. Powell, and Mr James Rogers-Mr Edward Rowse, stationer and editor of the Swansea Journal, was summoned for assaulting Mr Alex. Brown, proprietor a.nd editoi of tho Ferret. Mr Woodward, who appeared for the complainant, said Mr Brown was the editor and proprietor of the Ferret, and it seemed that he attended, on the 7th inst.,a meeting of the Swansea School Board. There were several re- porters present at the table, but there were not sufficient chairs there to allow of Sir Brown to sit down in a chair. He, therefore, edged on to the table, and placed his note bo*k on the mantelpiece for the purpose of making his notes for his paper. Mr Rowse, who was sitting behind him, asked him to move away, or something of the kind. Mr Brown said, If you will move up a few inches there will be plenty of room for all to sit down." He did not do that, and nothing took place for a minute or two, when Mr Brown felt himself violently pushed on both sides, and was sent sprawling into the middle of the floor. The meeting was stopped for a few minutes. It was hoped on the part of Mr Brown that the institution of these pro- ceedings would have had the effect of eliciting an apology from Mr Rowse, which Mr Brown would have been content to accept. He, however, had a duty to perform, and Mr Rowse not having apologised, he had preferred coming to the court to vindicate his dignity. Probably, but for the attendance of a ladv at the school board, Sir Brown would have punished the defendant there and then. Even now, if Mr Rowse was prepared to make a public apology, complainant was willing to withdraw the present proceedings. If he declined to do so, it was a question for their worships whether they should not imprison the defendant. Alexander Brown, the complainant, was then called. He said I am the editor and proprietor of the Ferret. On the 7th of this month I attended a school board meeting at the Guildhall. The meeting commenced at lialf-past ten, and I attended at about] 1 o'clock. I was there as the representative of my paper. I went into the room for the purpose of reporting the proceedings of the board. I found that all the chairs were occupied. Mostof the reporters were down at one end ofth e table, and at the extreme other end was Mr Rowse with his back to the wall. There was a vacant space near to the chimney piece. In the middle of the table were a number of coats and hats. Mr Rowse was sitting. I felt a little confused at not seeing a chair, and being anxious to do my duty for myself. It the meantime it struck me that I would git j on the corner of the table, and use the chimney piece to write on. I put my pocket-book on the mantel piece as delicately as I could, without giving offence, when all at once he called my attention to the fact that I was sitting before him. I said, If you will put your chair a little further down there is plenty of room." There was room for three vacant chairs. I turned round and said "If you I will turn your chair a little about you will accommodate both of us, I shall be no interruption to your view of the speakers." He said "I won't," and in a very offensive manner. In less than two minutes I had a good hard knock with two fists which sent me sprawling in the room. I had the utmost difficulty to keep myself from falling down on my face in the nuddle of the room. I did not do anything to him afterwards. When I felt myself in this awkward position the members were engaged in some important discussion. I did not fall at all, but I had difficulty in keeping myself from falling. I was anxious to avoid a sensation. I think I apologised to the chairman and mentioned to the board what I have ex- plained to you. The chairman, I think, did not see me pushed, and I don't think the young lady saw me, but she heard me call the attention of the chairman to the matter. After that a chair was ordered and I was seated at the table. I did not feel the effects of the blows afterwards. The Stipendiary: You say there was a yard space be- tween you and Sir Rowse when this happened ? Complainant: Yes the width of a table—about a yard. He was sitting on a chair. The Stipendiary How did he apply the force ?—Com- plainant He got up. He struck me with his fists, and knocked me into the middle of the room. I was writing at the time. I am certain he rose. U Defendant When you came and fat with your back to me didn't I ask you kindly to remove aside ?—Complain- ant You asked me to get out of the way not kindly at all. Defendant: Did I not put my pencil. against you. I thought you were in one of your eccentric moods._—Com- plainant You didn't say "kiadiy" at all; you said "get out of the way; you are in my light." I turned round and kindly said "If you will move your chair there is plenty of room for three there." You said "I won't;" in the most offensive way.. Defendant: Then vou call that sympathy by being m front of me ?—Complainant: I am not capable of being wilfully offensive. Defendant: I deny that he was sent sprawling to the ° Complainant: I had the utmost difficulty to prevent myself failing on my face. I did not fall- Defendant: The business was not at all suspended, as stated, but it proceeded as If nothing had occurred. It occurred in this way. On Wednesday last I had been reporting the school board meeting about an hour before the complainant came in. When he came in there was certainly no chair at the table vacant. He came down, to my surprise, and sat immediately opposite to where I was reporting, with his back towards me. He was not con- tent to sit down and report at the table, but, with his back towards me, he blocked out my light in a manner, and sat on the table. I said to him, Will you kindly move out of the way ?" He turned round and smiled. I saw that I was hindered in my work, and could not pro- ceed. I said again, "Will you kindly move aside; lean neither see nor hear." lie turned round and said, Slove yourself," and after that I pushed him aside. There was no sprawling to the ground, neither was the business sus- pended. The magistrates having visited the grand jury room for the purpose of better understanding how the two parties were relatively seated, The Stipendiary, on their return, said We think the case is perfectly clear. The facts are very simple. It appears that the proceedings of the school board were foing on, and there was some difficulty in getting room for gentlemen who wanted to report the proceedings. Sir Brown, the editor and proprietor of the Ferrety got into a position which to some extent obscured your sight of the chairman of the board. I think it is quite clear that after some words had passed you gave a push or a shove to Mr Brown, which sent him some little distance from his position. That in point of law means an assault, and of course a man feels that kind of thing if he takes it ill. We do not w?aV> +- a fine if, as suggested, you literary gentleman would to be in fault. We under- nlurig that this should be iihed. I will pay the costs. s&id I was sorry that Mr. ■ < what I did. There was 011 m} tulthim. I wished him to T*' ouldnotdoso. an apology, you know. finish, please. If your )f course I will Apologise ourse would have been to That would have been a .ken, as you went beyond I think you will really v-L';r-a Jake au apology, which, of dir. you credit. Addressing I 'iin sajd: Mr. Brown, Mr. ou an apology for what pay the costs of the pro- "'i\ Mr Brtiwa ogy fplta ^urably, seeing V Y?»- i. e his full fee, including i 7 allow 10s. 6d. k ] r' -h «■•«;? WfilB), for Colds and M Jiy ^UfUwuoisGi. 1

SWANSEA TOWN COUNCIL. A quarterly meeting of the council was heldN^ eduesday, the Mavor (Mr John I. Evanfd presiding. There were also present Aldermen T. Powell, P. Rogers, T. lord., T. Phillips, J..T. Jenkins, and W. H. Brown; Counillors T. Dav'-s. J. Rogers, B. R. Harvey, J. Buse, T. Glas- brook," T. Davies, W. Richards, C. R. Glover, J. Lewis, E. R. Daniel, John (rlasbrook, M. Sloxham, L. Tnlloch, J. Livingston. W. Thomas, R. Hughes, T. Elford, and F. A. Yeo. STCRCELLANEORS. Tlk police force having been paraded, as usual, in the council chamber, Sir HARVEY called the attention of the Head Constable to the nuisance caused in various parts of the town by the number of dogs at large. Mr W. RICHARDS stated that he had been requested by various tradesmen in High-street to commend to the Council the praiseworthy conduct of Inspector Holland, in the promptitude displayed by him in respect of the fire that had occurred on the premises of Sir Babb, clothier, High-street. Had the fire extended to the pre- mises adjoining, which contained a quantity of inflam- mable material, the consequences would have been very serious. Alderman T. PoWELT. called attention to the increasing nuisance caused in High-street by boys selling matches and others singing in the street, which the tradesmen complained interfered with their business. The Head-Constable's attention was directed to these matters. PHOPERT, AND GENERAL PVRPOSF.S COMMITTEE. Alderman J. J. JENKINS, in moving the adoption -of the minutes of this committee, said the most important part of them referred to the letting of th% property in Somerset place. The committee had had a report from the surveyor as to his idea of the value of the property, and as to the best mode of letting it. Some time ago the committee thought of adopting a uniform plan as to the elevation of the houses and shops to be built upon the corporation property. It wa.s intended that the buildings there should be in keeping with the elevation of the Town-hall, but it was lxdieved that it would be very exjiensive, and would militate against the letting of the corporation property. The committee now recommended that this property should be advertised for sale by auction, to take place in .T 1.me next. Of course there would be a reserve price. With regard to the acquiring of the Orange-street property the Town Clerk reported that the corporation had no power to enlarge the existing market. There had been several withdrawals of applications for leases. Several persons had asked the oommittee to allow them, in consequence of the depression of trade, to forfeit their leases, and the committee recom- mended that this should be done. A deputation had waited on the committee from the Free Library, for the purpose -of obtaining increased accommodation for that institute. Very few of the council expected that the Free Library would have proved such a success; it had exceeded the most sanguine hopes of all of them. The number of bor- rowers of books had gone beyond their power of supply, and hundreds of applicants had to be sent away because they had not accommodation for them, and not a sufficient supply of books. It was proposed to throw the third house adjoining into the other two, and they had instructed their surveyor to bring up a plan, so that ultimately, when they took possession of the property, the premises could be applied for the purpose of business, &c. They hoped that the library would so increase as to enable them to have a building in conjunction with a school of art and museum worthy of the town. He moved the adoption of the minutes, which was duly seconded. Mr J. ROGERS wished it to be understood that the cor- poration property in Somerset-place was not to be sold by auction—it was the leases that were to be sold for 75 years at an increased value. A lengthy discussion ensued as to the acquiring of the Orange-street property for the purpose of enlarging the market, and also with regard to the letting of the Somer- set-place property. 11r F. A. YEO moved an amendment that the minutes lie adopted, with the exception of that portion relating to the Somerset-place property. Mr M. MOXHAM seconded the amendment. Alderman J. J. JENKINS replied to the various speak- ers, and said he ought to have stated in moving the minutes that the committee proposed to let the property in Adelaide-street at the rate of £3 10s per foot frontage Somerset-place, £3 per foot Pier-street, £2 10s per foot. They proposed widening Pier-street from 24 feet to 35 feet.. The amendment was put to the meeting, when 10 voted for and 14 against; it was consequently lost. The resolution was then put and carried, 13 voting in its favour. WORKS AND SANTTAKT COMMITTEE. Mr C. R. GLOVER moved the adoption of these minutes, which however, contained little of public importance. During the past month plans had been brought before the committee, and had been approved of, for the erection of 40 houses, which he thought showed an improvement in the trade of the town. The medical officer had presented his report, which was a very voluminous one, and it would be printed and placed in the hands of the members. The keeper at the fever hospital did not do his duty, and the committee recommended that he be dismissed, and that Sirs Williams be appointed in his stead. Sir J. LIVINGSTON, the MATCH, and others deprecated such an appointment, whilst others agreed with it, con- tending that Mrs Williams should not be punished for the drunkenness of her husband, Sir James Rogers asserting that she was perfectly competent to perionn the duties. Sir LIVTNOSTON moved an amendment that tM.imnutes be adopted with the exception of that portion relating to the appointment at the hospital, and that the committee be asked to give that matter further consideration. After further discussion the amendment was withdrawn and the minutes were agreed to. STREETS COMMITTEE. Sir J. Br.-E, in moving the adoption of the nnnutes of the streets committee, said he was pleased to say that as far as his observation was concerned he thought that the streets were as well manag-ed as they possibly could be considering the extremely bad weather they had ex- perienced. They found that many of the streets were in an incomplete condition, and as, in putting up lamps in those streets, the owners had to pay for the pillars as well as the lamps upon them, they thought it would be a. hard- ship upon the few persons who occupied houses, to be called upon to incur that expense. Mr JOHN GLASBROOK called attention to the large amount paid for the removal of ashes from the borough. It was intended to remove tho ashes outside the borough, but as they were not so re- moved outside, but deposited within the borough, the work ought to be done for half the money. Mr HARVEY asked the chairman of the streets com- mittee to see that the streets were better kept up in the middle. He complained that Mr Buse, as chairman of the streets committee, had ordered the removal of market carts from Nelson-street, and said he had been asked by various persons to bring the matter before the council. Mr J. ROGEHS complained of the dangerous state of many of the streets, more especially in the Sandlields. Slany of those streets had been occupied for years and years, and were not yet lighted. He urged that the board ought to enforce the bye-law for having the streets lighted. Mr W. RICHARDS called attention to the disgraceful state of the Hafod bridge. The CHAIRMAN having replied, the motion was put to the meeting and carried unanimously. MAGISTRATES CLERK'S FEES. Alderman J. J. JENKINS moved That the town clerk be requested to furnish to the town council at its next meeting a list of police prosecutions for the last five years, showing the number of committals and acquittals, and the number of bills of indictment thrown out from want of sufficient evidence also a statement of the prosecutors' fees received by the town clerk during that period." He had been told on very good authority that during the last 18 months more bills of indictment had been thrown out from Swansea. from want of sufficient evidence than had ever been thrown out before; also that the acquittals had been more numerous during the last 18 months than they had previously been and that instead of the amount of fees which came into the coffers of the corporation being greater, as ought to have been the case, it was less. He moved the resolution. Sir J. ROGERS seconded the motion. Sir F. A. YEO would like to know whether the amount of fees received by the town-clerk from magisterial cases represented every month one-twelfth of the amount of the basis.on which the salary of the magistrates' clerk was ^rhe resolution was adopted, and the clerk was re- quested to bring up the return at the next meeting. THE FREE LIBRARIES CONFERENCE AT BIRMTNGHAM. Alderman J. J. JENKINS stated that at the last meeting of the free library committee lie reported what took place at the conference in Birmingham on the 5th of January, to which he was sent as a delegate to represent the free libraiy of Swansea. The meeting was well attended, and it was convened by the the Slayor. Adverting to the principle points before the Conference, he said that there wafi a surplus of about a million of money from the funds guaranteed by the nation for the holding of the Exhibition of 1851, and carrying it out successfully. It was thought that' a portion of that money should be applied to the free libraries, museums, and schools of art in the kingdom, but they did not come to a conclusion, as they wished to obtain the opinion of the bodies in various parts of the kingdom. A sum of about £ 280,000 was voted to schools of art in London, Jidinliurg-h, and Dublin, and it was argued that a portion of that sum should be given to such places as Birmingham, wliich had spent large sums of money in erecting schools of art and free libraries. That motion was not carried. As no notice was placed on the agenda con- vening the meeting, the consideration of it was adjourned to a conference to be held in London soon after the assembling of Parliament. There were a few dissen- tients to that proposal. They said that inasmuch as Dublin and Edinburgh were the capitals of Ireland and Scotland, they were entitled to part of the money, and that other places ought to be satisfied with money given to the British Museum and National Gallery in London. He, however, urged that they in Wales, and especially Swansea, as representing the metropolis of Wales, ought to have something to say in the matter. If they had contributed to that large sum of money fur the arts and sciences of the nation, they ought to partake of a portion of the fund. He asked them to approve of what was done at the conference if it were their pleasure, to strengthen the hands of the free library committee in the requisition they would make that a portion of the grants made by Parliament should be given to the chief pro- vincial towns, and that loans of exhibits be granted from the British Museum and other national institutions. He then moved a resolution— Tliat the action of the Free Libraries Committee of mmlinglmm. and of the Conference that took place in tliat town on the 5th of January last, for the pur]x>se of concerting measures for bringing before the Commissioners of the Exhibition of 1S51 the claims of provincial towns t,) participate ill the funds at their disposal, and al80 of urging upon the Govcmment the policy of granting loans from the Briti8h Museum and other rtational collceti(ms is a. movc- nient deserving the approval of this Council, and that the Mayor and Mr Alderman Jenkins be requested to attend the aUjournxiicnt of the Conference in London. The motion was seconded and agreed to. WATER, SEWERS, AND NEW WATERWORKS COMMITTEE. A letter was read from the town council of Worcester detailing the steps they had taken in dealing with the sewage of the towu, pointing out the expense tliat would be incurred by the Act for preventing the pollution of rivers, and asking the co-operation of the council in sending a petition to Parliament on the question of sewage. Alderman FORD concurred with the suggestion of the council of Worcester, and proposed that as the matter was an important one it be referred to the committee to report upon it at the next council meeting. He said that Sir Baker, the Duke of Beaufort's agent, had requested that the correspondence that had taken place between himself and the chairman of the waterworks committee (the speaker) should be read at the council with reference to this Slorriston drainage, and with a view to its publi- cation or, if the board thought fit, to allow it to be laid on the table to be read by those who wished to do 130 and that it be opened to the press to publish it; also that the documents to which it referred should be open to the inspection of the members of the board and of the press. He (the speaker) thought that the inference to be drawn from Mr Baker's letter was that the board had not done what it ought to have done. and that the public would be satisfied, after reading the correspondence, that that was so. He would first move that the minutes of the com- mittee be received and adopted, and would afterwards move a separate resolution relative to the correspondence. Mr T. DAVIES seconded the motion. W li.1 n 1 [;n.s ;i.s!/ed tWo Hp''yovor whp*- y.:>s the estimated amount of the contract for the embankment of the Blaenant Ddu reservoir. For the last four months they had paid a sum of £5,000 to the ccntractof. The Surveyor said that in his report of the 2'*th of August he stated that the estimated cost would be £ 14,000; £ 5,000 of that amount had been paid, leaving "1,000 to lie paid. The minutes were agreed to. Alderman EORD then moved :— Tnat the documents and correspondence between the urban sanitary authority and Mr Baker, solicitor to the Puke of Beau- >'ovt, referring to the acquisition of the land for drainage purposes be read. He did this at the request of Sir Baker himself. He (the speaker) contended that it was through the Duke's agent that Landore had not yet been drained. Mr F. A. YEn seconded the motion. He should be very glad to see that long corresj tondence. They would then have an opportunity of appreciating more accurately the pros and rovs. A long and warm discussion having ensued, Mr P. ROGERS moved an amendment that the corre- spondence be printed and circulated. Jlr JOHN GLASBROOK seconded the amendment. Alderman Dnnwx said. that to carry out the proposition would be ta ang an unusual couree, a.nd adopting a dan- gerous precedent. The course mast usual was. not for the chairman of any particular committee to recom- mend this particular course and that particular course, and take upon himself an individual position in regard to any committee, but to have the matter fully discussed in the committee itself, and then when the full sanction of that committee was obtained to ask the Ixiard for its adaption. The chairman of the committee was not justified in asking them to make public that correspond- ence. He was bound previously to consult that commit- tee, and ask, aye or nay, were they willing tliat it should lie done. Those letters were probably interesting onlv to those who wrote them. He moved an amendment to the effect that the committee should consider the question of publishing the correspondence and documents after they had read them, and not throw upon the council the bother of perusing them. Sir HAUVEY seconded the amendment. Sir FOUD having replied, asserting his right to put his motion on the agenda, withdrew his motion after being- pressed to do so by various membeis. Alderman Brown's amendment was then carried a" a sub- stantive motion. FINANCE COMMITTEE—APPOINTMENT OF COLLECTOR AND CLERK. Alderman BROWN, in proposing the adoption of the minutes of the finance committee, said, in reference to the course adopted with their collectors, that they proposed an alteration in the arrangement hitherto made for security. They recommended that instead of requiring candidates to go to their friends and neighbours to ask them to be personally bound for them, the Guarantee Society should enter into the bond, and that the council themselves should pay the annual premiums on the guarantees. That would relieve the council in case of misfortune, and thev would haye their remedy against the Guaranteeing Society which would be much more con- genial. The balance due to the treasurer was £3,036. That was a very large balance to be due to the treasurer on their income account, but it arose in this way—they had not yet received from the Treasury a large sum of money due for police ex- penses, but they expected it would be paid during the cur- rent month. That amounted to £ 2,700, so that the ordi- nary balance on the current account would be £336. He proposed that the minutes of the finance committee lie received and adopted. Mr J. ROGERS seconded, and the motion was carried. There were three selected candidates for the office of collector of the general district and other rates for the liamlet of St Thomas (district iVo. at a salary of £60 per year E. G. Phillips, A. Grant, and Robert Jenkins. Pliillips had 12 votes Jenkins, 7; and Grant, 4. Phillips was consequently elected. For the office of chief clerk for the collectors' depart- ment, at a salary of S200 a year, there were six selected candidates—Slessrs D. Lewis, A. Barsev, B. Thomas, W. H. Jones, S. Taylor, a.nd J. Lewis. W. H. Jones was elected, the voting being thus :—Jones, 8 Davies, 1 Lewis, 1; Taylor, 2. NEW RATE. A rate of Is in the £ to pay certain calls upon the council was made. MEMBERS OF COMMITTEES. Sir JOHN BLSE moved that the chairmen of committees of the council and the burial board be ex-officio members 'of all other committees. Mr W. RICHARDS seconded the motion. Alderman P. ROGERS moved an amendment that the question be adjourned till the 9th November. The amendment was lost, and the motion was carried. Some other matters, including petitions, were brought up and referred to committees. The council then resolved itself into a burial board, having sat five and a half hours discussing the council business.

TVE MASONS STRIKE AT SWANSEA. A large meeting of master builders was held on T.ues- day evening at the Jeffrey's Anns, Oxford-street, Swan- sea. Mr Thomas (of Thomas, Watkins and denkins), occupied the chair, and Mr Thomas Rees the vice-chair. After a prolonged conference, a resolution was car- ried that a deputation wait upon the operative masons to inform them that the masters would like to offer a proposition that would assist in bringing the present block to a termination. The following gentle- men composed the deputation — "Messrs W. Watkins, n. Morgan,1. Recs, P. Jones, and Davies (secretary). The deputation, on the same night, met- the men, who were holding a meeting at the Wyndham Arms, and proposed that tlw mcn should call a meeting r..t their lodge rooms, as the employers had a certain suggestion to make. As the hour was late, and some of the men had left, it was decided by those present to call a meeting on Wednesday, at half-past two o'clock. At the time agreed upon the deputation before named attended the meeting, and made the suggestion de? terniined upon. Sir Watkins in opening the discussion referred the masons to rules which were in existence in 1S74, and to a notice of alterations of rides, or a code of new rules which the men submitted to the employers, and which were to come into operation in May last. In these rules it was stipulated that the wages of the men should be advanced to 3Gs from May 1st, 1876. Sir Watkins contended that, according to the constitution of all societies, before any new rules could come into force the old ones must be rescinded. The rules under which the men had been working in 1874 were by the notice given in 1875 virtually rescinded. The mas- ters, 1.Ir Watkins reminded them, opposed the advance under the new rules upon the ground that the times would not admit of an increase. A long discussion ensued. No settlement was arrived at, but it is announced that the men are willing to go in on the old rate, pending arbitration. It is also suggested that as a difficulty has arisen, the central corresponding secretary should be brought down, and by deciding some points to be submitted to him, prepare the way for a settlement.

STABBING AT CARDIFF. At ifchoCardiff noiiee-court, on Slonday, be.forc \1.11. ? 'Wiosi.ilobcit Moore, a talfor, was charged with feloniously I.11d nraiickjtit-iy causing Elizabeth Sioore grievous bodily -m by stabbing her with a knife. Tibs -.xea^amaitt saWb: On Saturday evening the 38oii«»v, who is my husband, called on me at a h, usj 'here i was living in Peel-street. He had been an inmate If the infirmary at the workhouse, but left there on }atUTII.hr morning. He asked me for some money tj ].)<1,y his lodgings, and I told him that I had none, andtha/t T- could uol^ive him ayy. He then said Good night'' Qld walked way. He had not gone far before he called » me renin. He was then near the top of Peel-street, close •o the ( 'anal Parade. He then stabbed me twice with the ^nife which he held in his hand. He struck at me as if 3e Wanted to strike my heart. He meant to murder me, :)Qt; thstilt God, he didn't. I rail to Dr Jones' surgery in loudotm square. The assistant sewed up the wound, and "hen this was .doBe Dr Jones camo in, and because I had 10 money he cut the stitches out again. I thought I "hordd have dieflrn the place. He used me like a dog. Mv .tones AVho was this?—Witness: Dr Jones, of "■^udoun square. AS ;• Jones This is a very serious charge against him. !oIr Raes, Magistrate's Clerk It amounts to as assault, l'J'o witness) Did the wound bleed much after?—Witness "•v-jfcs i/feeding very bad. V, }j(. H*?v»ed up the wound ? His assistant sewed up the --11ft>, Dr June* opened tlieau He opened them with 4 Pe*>-kuife. r '•Hi tkey bleed afresh then ?—Yes. <lkl lie sriy 2—H c told 11 le lie would not do it J&tontf; l'jei#ig paid for it I had been there an hour, and I jtaa [ >oun<i» -ou t of his pocket. .D.d the prisoner stab you with a knife?—Yes,_ it was :«S rvoekt-t knife. I know that he had had the knife for a time. ,1fth.d; tlw knife (producing one) —Yes, that is it. "hat did you do when von left Dr Jones's surgery ?—I Jent t- the'Cardiff Infirmary, where my wounds were I went froTn there to the union, and when I *ent this morning to tlie infirmary they would not dress myarm because Ïhad been to the union, but there no one attended to it, and no one has seen my arm since *?ve keen in the union. Have you been married long ?—I was married to my "Wband in 1875. ,WiIli:lni Bruton, 30, Herbert-street, said that on Saturday evening he was waiting for the_ prisoner in -anal Parade. He heard him call to his wife, and after *few worths he called to her again, and then he saw the Pisoner raise his hand and strike at his wife. The F^fi&an ran to Dr Jones's, surgeon, and he followed some Jptle wliile afterwards, and w7hen he arrived Dr Jone3 "id begun to cut the stitches open with a knife or some- "dng of the kind. Mr Rees You were not there at the beginning ?—No theard Dr Jones ask for 5s. She told him she had no •ioney, but would send and try and get it somewhere. He *jien»aid, "You have lost me a pound or more," and he then asked the assistant to cut out the stitches and let her *> to the Infirmary. Dr Jones did it, but w'liejther he °k a ] i;iir of scissors or a knife I cannot say. When 1 ?>t there he was beginning to cut them open wita some ,J^trument. „„ Did the wounds bleed much after ?—They bleu a good after. Complainant: The stitches were cut out of the large "01Ind. He left the stitches in the small one. Dr William Campbell said that he was the house sur- >'eon at the Cardiff Infirmary. He remembered the com- plainant being brought to the Infirmary on Saturday ajght. She had two wounds, one on the top of the left P*°ulder, and one, a large one, in the front of the arm a «ttle below the shoulder. It was about two inches lon^ ^d one inch deep. A blow from the knife produced ^otdd have caused such wounds. Mr Jones: Did you observe anything about the state the wounds indicating that they had been dealt with Ofcfore •—Yes two stitches had been put into the wound \)n the left arm, and taken out again. fit Rees: What effect would such an 'operation have "pon the Wound ?—It would case a good deal of pain, and ■ httle more blood would flow. It would not have any 1Jther effect than that. Police-constable Hayward said he apprehended the pri- mer shortly afterwards on the Penarth road. When told charge, prisoner said I did it." At the police-sta- Jon ^l,; kuiie produced was found upon him. V'isoncr oidy said he was driven to it by the complain- ^t's conduct, she having twice caused him to be an inmate y* the Cardiff workliouse^infirmary by her dissolute life. jealousy that made him do it. We was then committed for trial at the assizes. jlhe bench directed a summons to be taken out against J ones. subsequently Dr Jones attended the court, and stated ^at he had just heard that a charge had been preferred him by the woman Moore, and was prepared to a comijlete and satisfactory explanation of his Jones (Stipendiary) said he must decline to receive statement until the matter came before the court in form. S SUICIDE OP MOORE. >yt uoon, yesterday, Alfred Wilson, one of the ;iVlU"dcrs at the county gaol, on entering the cell in which named Robert !Moore was confined, found his dead j J" suspended by a small rope to the iron gas pipe which f.iBs sJung t]ie waj} „f the cell. The deceased, who is a .J1"an, was on Monday committed for trial at the t'ardiff magintraten, on the charge of ^J;'I1.I0lU;1*y wounding his wife. On Tuesday morning he ;1 I1} a day cell, with two" sentenced prisoners," who, fe passed by the surgeon, went on to the treadmill, LVl!16 iloore in the cell, in which was a small bundle of r<jlfu' He evidently collectetl several strands of the ah' 'i' ^ned tliem together until he had niade a rope ^wo feet long, and with it committed suicide. Ul^n nuind hanging from the i>ipe his feet almost touched e*W. He was immediately cut down, and Dr Paine a{.a,V°r by the chief warder, who had chaise of the gaol but he had evidently been dead some minutes, to c°)!'0- Was S3 .yeai-s of age, had apparently intended thaMn^fc as he had stated before he was arrested shou] j3 ln^0Kded to have killed his wife, and then he tiol'v^ 1iot have lived long after her. He was a man of ih' °U ?'nTer' and had been once before in prison on the iviiii'13 of p/ ^lting the police. An inquest on the body be held ti.i.s evening. THE INQUEST. was held on Wednesday by Mr E. B. Reece • a jury with respect to the death o Robert Moore, a who hung himself in a cell at the Cardiff gaol, hn fi° K' elei'k. stated that the deceased was admitted tile gaol on the 12th inst. between one and t^o o'clock, fie was committed to the assizes on a_charge of wounding wife. Witness took his description. Tlie body *»«wed 1 iv the jury was that of Robert Moore. Deceased with' the witness about a quarter of an houiv Witness Noticed nothing strange in his manner. rei 'd .Wilson, a warder, stated that the deceased lftA?U V|ed a ce^ night with two other prisoners. The (v^*er Were sentenced. Witness saw deceased at seven jjY 'n the morning of the 13th inst. He had a bath. '♦t, VV;U1 ht>und to do anytliing, but after the two I i'risoners left the cell he picked oakum which was t cliefg. Xiie last time witness saw him alive was at j^jninutes past 12. Deceased was then on the bed- lijgj picking oakum. Ijookingthi-oughthe "squint"some jj e time afterwaixls witness coidd not see deceased. then opened the door, and in the corner behind ob- »n-' ^le 'oeasf'd hanging. Witness cut him down at seftt for the chief warder. The deceased was 7 a ro',e' which he had fastened together out of 'jiiitfcj-iid he had been picking. Witness did not notice >iring strange in his manner. Kefer01lcu Was made to the prison books, and it was p.. taincd that the deceased had formerly been im- p '?011ed fui' one month, and discharged on the 18th Nov- last. vtness etmtinuing, said prisoners on trial were allowed ^'•k oakum if they liked, to pass the time. fras ■ ^ardymaji waid he attended the deceased when he tl'U l"s"71 l;»t November. Witness gave a description ie» i Co:n I'laiut whicii deceased was suffering from. His was, however dne to suffocation by strangulation, nere weie marks of cOrd on his neck. j. Thomas Stacke, a man in a convict's dress, was called to Il Va evidence. He said he belonged to Worcestershire. was with the deceased in the cell on Monday night, ^Well as anotlier man. Deceased told him his story, and had fteen a sailor, and then a runner. He had j^UTrndated some money, and was engaged to be married decent gli'l, but he fell in with the woman he had ■founded, aud whose character was then known to him. MiseeaFied yeemed gloomy. He said he meant to kill Mrt*1113"' but was glad he had not succeeded in his for his OAVII sake. j. ifeon, rccaUed, said the deceased had placed a felt cap Sfecn the rope and his neck. he jury returned a verdict of Felo de se."

ADVICE TO MOTTTFRS--—Arc 5 ? sick child suffering Wlt,h the pam to chemist and get a bottlo 01 M rs It wiU relieve the suiierer karmksaa And pleasant to taste, it pj by relieving the cMM from pa-n a. "as brijrht as a buttoa." U aoothes g-ums, allays all pain, re the M known ren>edy for ayhei.Uv ar-sinV»om teetl.i;# or ethereal. Syrupis MM by Iledieine everprl, "taiurMcturci* in few YiU'k, a.ud- at 4ù:t. o. L

BOARD OF TRADF PROSECUTION AT SWANSEA. At the Swansea borough police-court on A Ion day—before Mr. John Ivor Evans (mayor), Mr. J. C. Fowler (stipen- dary), Alderman Powell, and Mr. J. Rogers—James Campbell, captain of a ship bound from Swansea to Iquique, coast of South America, was charged, at the instance of the Board of Trade, with neglecting to cause entries of a certain illness of the crew to be made during the voyage, and the nature of the medical treatment, if all i'. Sir. Edward Stride said lie appeared on behalf of the Board of Trade to prosecute in this case. The de- fendant was charged that on the voyage outward from Swansea to Iquique he omitted to enter in the official log the illness of five of the men, who were afflicted with scurvy on the voyage out, and who had to be left* ashore when the ship left the port for its destination. He called the attention of the bench to sections 280 to 283 of the Merchant Shipping Aetyliy which the Board of Trade sanctioned a form of official log to be kept, and showing that the forms must be filled up describing the nature of the illness or injury, and the medical treatment adopted, if any. In the course of the voyage there were some injuries received by some of the crew which were entered in the log book, but in the case of the five men referred to there was no entry. The penalty for omitting to make this entry was £5 in each case. 'He had no charge to make against the captain for anything else. The ship was well victualled and pro- vided with lime juice, and he did not say that the break- ing out of scurvy was the fault of the defendant for want of these things. The Captain said that it was through ignorance that the omission had occurred, and he was very sorry for it. He was not aware till he arrived at Iquique, when he saw the Consul, that it was necessary, and the Consul told him it was not. He (the captain) did not know whether the illness was the scurvy or not. He was placed in a difficulty, for he did not know what was the matter with the men till he arrived at Iquique. He treated them out of the medicine chest. He prevented them from having salt meat, and gave them fresh provisions. The Stipendiary said it was so important a matter that this should be attended to that the bench could not but consider it a serious omission on the defendant's part. He did not think the defendant could fairly plead the advice of the consul, because if the consul advised him as described he gave him bad advice, contrary to the letter of the regulations which appeared on his (the complain- ant's log-book, and extracted from the Mercantile Ship- ping Act. It was important that such circumstances should be reported, because although scurvy was not in- fectious, he might have had a. cutaneous and infectious disease. Besides which, it was a general rule that the defendant ought to have complied with. The bench, however, would consider it as one case, and fine him only £5, although, strictly speaking, Mr Strick was right in saying that he might be pressed to pay a penalty in each case. The money was paid.

DETFNTION OF A SWANSEA VESSEL. Recently part. of tlie crew of the barque Ogmore were committed to Dorchester goal (where they still are) for refusing to go to sea in that good ship. A memorial on the subject was addressed to the Home Secretary, and the result of an official examination is that an order has been made by the Board of Trade for the detention of the vessel at Weymouth as unsafe. The men have since been j liberated.

THE SWANSEA SCHOOL BOARD. A meeting of the Swansea School Board was held at the Guildhall on Wednesday, when there were present Sir T. Trew (chairman), Sliss E. Brock, the Rev R. Williams, Sir Crabb, Dr Davies, Sir Edward Roberts, Rev Canon Wilson, Rev Canon Richards, Mr W. Stone, Mr J. Naysmitli, and the Rev J. Emlyn Jones. The first business before the meeting was to receive the report of the children's officer's committee, and to resolve on continuing to act under the bye-laws of the board as before the Elementary Education Act, 1876, was passed or to resolve on discontinuing for a limited period to be fixed by the board the remission of fees in the board schools. The report of the committee, which was read by the clerk, recommended that the board should continue to remit fees for the children of indigent parents as before the passing of Lord Sandon's Act, and The CHAIRMAN moved its adoption. Sir EDWARD ROBERTS seconded it. The Rev Canon WILSON thought that the dealing with this question of payment or remission of fees by two bodies—the school board and the guardians—-w ould not work equitably for the sectarian school/ P iThe Rev BENJ. WILLIAMS thought that all the schools dealt with should be unsectarian, worked on the basis of r, national education. The Rev Canon RICHARDS said that in other districts a plan of co-operation between the school board officers and the board of guardians had been adopted, and had lieen found to work well. If they passed a resolution to the effect that the school officers should co-operate with the guardians in investigating cases of the children of indigent poor, although not paupers, much good would be accomplished, for in that case parents could go to the school officers instead of going to the union, which would relieve, to a very great extent, the feelings of the poor parents, encourage their feelings of self-respect, and re- move the stigma which would attach to parents by apply- ing to the union. Their great aim was the education of the waifs and stays of the streets, and the plan he pro- posed would, he felt sure, be the means of getting a larger number of children into school, and securing their educa- tion. The Rev Canon WILSON would second the resolution of Canon Richards, although he thought that his propo- sition was going rather further than the law allowed, for they had been told, at the meeting with the guardians, that the law required that body to investigate every case which camp under their notice. Still, co-operation, such as suggested would doubtless do much good. Sir STONE said that he had spoken to Sir Bircham, the Government officer, who informed him that the board of guardians would be obliged to investigate every case, so that the services of the school children's officer, as sug- gested, would be useless. Sir CRAEB said that they were directly met by the Act of Parliament at the very onset, for it stated .that the board of guardians should themselves investigate every case which came before them. But whatever was done, it could only be temporarily, for he was quite sure the Government would be obliged very soon to issue directions upon the point. In the meantime, they, as a school board, should do as they had hitherto done, and endeavour to carry out the law. A long conversation to the same effect ensued, during which the CHAIRMAN said that tlieboard intended to receive the fees paid by the guardians as before. If the guardians sent children to the board schools they must pay for them. The resolution was then carried. The Rev Canon WILSON asked whether it was legal for the master of their board schools to receive payment of school fees in kind. The master of St. Helen's schools had taken a number of plants in payment of fees for six weeks' schooling for a child. The CHAIRMAN said that as Sir Wilson was a. member of p the Schools Slanagement Committee, he had better bring forward the matter tliere in the meantime perhaps the plants would grow. The meeting then separated.

THSOAT IRKITATION.—The throat and windpipe are especially liable to inflammation cauBÏng 80rOH!1!1!J and dryness ticKling and irrigation, inducing cough Ana affecting the voice. For these symptoms uae glycerine in the form of jujubes. Glycerine, in these agreeable confecti. n*, lielnc in proximity to ihe glands lot the moment they art excited by tl1e act of racking-, becomes actively healing. 6d. and Is. boxes (by post for 14 labelled James Eprs IInd Co Homo: patfcic Chemists, 48, Threadreedle-etreet, and 170, Piccadilly, London. Soja JD CfudiQ by Robt. Drane, Chemist, Queeu-.Arect; W oris, st.ptrw.er, 6, Duke-ctreit,; Prujt, Chemist. 3, Metsor gireot. Sp..Jtland KAY'H COMPOUND ESSENCE OF LTXSEETI.—Asthma and Bronchitis arc immediately relieved by it. Sold by ail Chemists. ,r„ 13706 F "GIVEN AWAY- —A POCKET ALMANAC for 1S77 sent free per pout, on r-ndinir Rdd; C'f!8 to Met-i-ra H. rniman, Tea Imp',rt('!8, London, or had Gratis of their Agents in this locality • addrescea oor advertising eo.unuw. The Alroa.iac is nrinted in oclore, ill viinjj s i tit ws tal,en from phntojrriphs' of SI- rsrs II.Tniroan's tM plantation in China." and "skipping of Uor/iiman'i Tea to KiistUindwhere they nave 8.&S3 Asrent« Ioy w..ep. celebr^td Purt iea in uckcu

ALLEGED LIBEL ON THE TOWN CLFRK OF SWANSEA. A RULE FOR A CRDi LX AL 1XF031SIATION GRANTED. Tn the Queen's Bench Division of the High Court «>f •Tu-tice, Westminster, 011 Slonday (b, foro Justices Mclloi and Lush), Sir Watkin Williams, Q.C. (vvith liim M. Hugh Shield), moved for a criminal ;?•»• mdionon lx-h.U* of Sir John Thomas, the town-clerk of Swansea, against a town councillor of Swansea, named Th.o.as Davis. It vv:ts (.-aid the learned gentleman) necessary to give a few of tlie circumstances to show how this lit -el arose, anc came to he printed in the C-rmb, newspaper. On the 14 th Decendter last there was (1.'1 extra- ordinary election *of a town council'"r for Swan- sea, a Sir Thomas Davies and a Six- John Th<>m;vl Yorath being candidates. Tiie town ch-ik presided k1 one of the booths. At a busy part of the d. an illiterate female voter came up to give h«-r vote, and h.td net :me through the necessary formalities. He a _d for whom she voted, and she said ''Da\ies." The l.c.i ck-ik put a nnu-k opposite YoratJÙ; name, an in t!:e prcse.ii,,o ■ i the Slayor he immediately re.'tifio ] the mistake..Mi Davies, against whom he complained. v, the sueees-=fui candidate, anl1 sunn :1S lie took his s°" t 1 the board lu called attention to what he called a no-alter of irregulari- ties in the conduct of tlie election, and a lvsoiutior which,however,was withdrawn, \1wJ' .Mr ] i.tvie. "Tot., tlu libel complained of. It was hca-.i.-d "< Ward Elec- tion, and the gist of it was wh.-fe Mr l>av;v.~ -tated that if he had not been prevented from moving i.i* resolution, he should have proved, "first, thai when an illiterate female cauie to vote for Davies the t wu ek-rk recorded it for Yorath, ami was about placing iz in the ballot b. when he was charged by my agent in tI:" pre erne of the mayor. The imputation was that if his agent 11:"j not been there the thing would not have 1:H-UI ivitifu.4 and theii it goes on that the town cl vk revise V> lveeivt a vote because a voter called o-tt that lLJ wanted U vote for Davies, the town clerk-;<ring thai the wti must he secret. IL"1'e, said Sir Davi> s. "arc won of the flagrant abuses that occurred at the last > loo tion." The c01\:1"el then went ¡,.¡ .J( o 'ilt* the nature of the resolutions proposed in th" 1 ■ ,Wl1 council. and which were subsequently withdrawn, MMI said he did so to siiow the spirit which animated Mi Davies, and that he really and truly charged tl«v to WE clerk with a flagrant abuse of hit- pvsitijn in h • .);. t Further than that, they had all affidavit to .>ho.v that hit had repeaterl those chàrges out of doors: ami bo had affidavits of the town clerk himself .'which he readf. fht agents on both sides, the officer wle» in-eccded the town clerk-in the superintendence of tho l»ooth, the p.,]' officers, and in fact everyone present, directly contradict- ing the allegations of Sir Davies as to the nnfa:rne*a on ne part of the returning officer. The town clerk, in hit affidavit, distinctly denied that lie attempted to put tht paper into the ballot box, and the defendant's ig*. nt, i i his affidavit, distinctly stated that he believed tlie <n .<.i in marking the vote arose from the noise which IJ!'<, vaiioc at the time it was given, and that he did not see tlie tow* clerk put it into the ballot box, or attempt to place ii there. Sir Justice Slellor asked the nature of the informatiofi on which it was contended, besides Sir Davies s conduct ir the council, and his letters to the newspaper, that ht showed animus. Sir Watkin Williams said it was down in the affid.v. i! of another person, who, meeting Sir Davies in the street, asked him why be did not let the matter drop. whereupon Sir Davies replied, "I have more to say 1 hive not dOli. with him yet," these words being understood to apply to theTtown clerk. Sir Justice Lush He appeared in the council, wherf he expressed his belief that the towu council had a feeling against him. Sir Williams read that part of the proceedings of tht council where Sir Davies so expressed himself. Sir Justice Mellor Raid it appeared a pity that dH matter should have to be dealt with iu the way proposed and that Sir Davies interfered with the explanation <>! his own agent before writing the letter. Under all d. circumsta.nces their lordships thought Sir Williams 10". have his rule. Rule accordingly.

MWYNDWYdOlON COMPANY. The fifteenth annual meeting of shareholders in \.Í14 company was held on Wednesday, Queen-street Piace, London, Mr Alexander Brogden, M.P.. in the chair. The directors' report stated that the balance at the credit III the revenue account was £17,411 2s Id. out of which an inteiim dividend of Is 6d per share was paid 011 July 26th. leaving j614,411 2s Id to be divided. Out of this snm tlM directors recommended that £3,671138 (the total expendi- ture during the past year) on the Trecastle ad venture shoo Id be charged that t'3,904 88 lid on account of the total < 4 £7,964 8s lid for the purchase of Llwynsaer lease •dK'iibi be paid; and that a dividend of 3s per share, making 4s 6d per share for the year, should also be paid. Dm would leave £ï75 to be carried forward. The report uva adopted.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT INQUIRY AT EBBW VALE. On Wednesday, in accordance with in.-tnietion» from U>« Local Government Board, Lieut.-Co1. Ponsonby Cox. < tM of the inspectors of the board, attended at the Mechane-s' Institute, Ebbw Vale, to hold inquiries as to several matters of local interest. The first subject for hi", con- sideration was a projiosal that a provisional order dm. be issued by the Local Government Board extending the local government district of Ebbw Vale so as to ineb;d« therein the whole or part of thet portion of the rem sanitary district of the Bedwellty union wliich nnn o diately adjoins the said district, and which lit's to tin north and west of the ordnance survey summit level o! Caru-y-Cein. There was a moderate attendance o parties interested. Sir Ward, of 2>e\v;>ort, represuutc'< the Local Board of Ebbw Vr-le, Mr Price the Crivkhow.-t Sanitary Authority.aud Sir Shepherd the Tredegar i a Board. The Inspector, in opening the proceeding., said that tiu inquiry had refereTicetothe proposed ann-exatioa of Neur town to the Ebbw Vale Local Board district. Newtown mediately adjoined Ebbw Yale, hut when the distru t vai formed in 1874 it was not competent for the Local Govern- ment Board, under a petition from own ers aJKutce apicrs; he* before them, to include it in the local board district. Lhi- it was always considered that a time might, ootwe when r would be desirable to extend the district by-a provitdera., order, and steps which had reu'itly b dl taken v the Crickhowell Sanitary Anthoiity had precipitated matters. Sir Ward said that he appeared o.n behalf of the Ebbw S'ale Local Board, and he submitted tt. t they deene d it would be a great hardship if any more oi the rural dis- trict should be annexed to their urban district. Ttx board did not object to taking in Newtown jiroper, Lai they did demur to accepting a long "nil age of rural roadi which were never used by the inhabit sets of Lbhw Vai'\ and which would entail material lial.iiity <m the ratejiayers. The Ebbw Yale board had exjiende 1 a large sum of money for Waterworks, and they did not wish to take in any district which would cost them more than they would get out of the general district rates in r<ro;«»rt-ion to the work executed there. After some di -enssion had taken-place. Sf r Ward hope<1 that if Colonel ('ox woidd recommead die- annexation ..f the Newtown district he would also m ike a similar recommendation ia the direction ot A 1. -r-tibery, as «bo\vn in the plan produced. The inspector said that he w re..>rt 011 the matter. He went on to say that although he cor.id not hold an inquiry upiu that occasion into the proposed annexatkat of Beaufort to the Ebbw Vale Local Board, he wruM be glad to hear the views of those interested who wit present with regard to the subject. Sir Ward, in objecting to the a: ,elation, read a memorial from the Ebbw Vale lyocid board against n, it stating that the district of Beaufort was essentially » rural district, and any necessary power for carrying it requisite sanitary improvements was vested in the rurai sauitai-y authority which had jurisdiction in the district. Moreover, on account of tlie entire stoppage oi the ironworks (the staple industry of the district) the population was greatly decreasing, and the, place would shortly be depopulated, or nearly so. The owners of the ironworks were removing all their plant from the pro- perty, and it was most iniproba.bIe that tlie ironworks would ever again be in operation. If annexed to any local board district Beaufort should be annexod to I'.rvu- mawr. The Crickhowell guardians in suggesting the annexation to Brynmawr de"irer1 to save themselves t1¡e expense of repairing the roads used by the inhabitant- of their union. The Beaufort people were unwilling that their district should be annexed to Ebbw Vale. The employes of the Ebbw Vale steelworks, now residing at Beaufort, would, doubtless, ere long come to V a>, as the company stated in their last report'that t!y intended erecting 700 houses at their v • -k s. Sir Price, 011 behalf of the t'rickheev. il e-uardians, s.l that Beaufort is now to all intents aiul purttos<e.s a sob rb of Ebbw Vale, and belonged tù it naturally. Crickhi a ell could not drain Beaufort at a cheaper n ;v thau EH w Vale, and as to the water supply a system had-r.b- \y been organised by which both places (fteaufort and lw Vale) could get their water from the same mains. The suggested annexation of Dukestov. u te Tree- ;,r was then considered by the inspector. :1 r Shepard, in the course of some "b^-ervn.;ons. 'd that Dnkedown was situated in another union than 'i i~~do- gar, and also in Brecon, which was another cmmtv, Ti e roads were also in bad repair. He asked their- cr whether, in case of annexation, the speeial expenses '11- enrred by that course could be limited to Ihike.stnwi:, ..tul not be a general charge to the ward. The Inspector answered in the rffii'iretive. ]^ > final steps were taken in the matter of Beaufort or 1' town official inquiries would take pbiee. There was then an adjournment for luncheon. The Inspector, on the re-assembling of partie-, "ft another inquiry a.s to an application from the Ebbw V ie Loca] Board for sanction to borrow the sum <>t -'Hi for works of water supply. There was again a g- tendance of parties, the following representing (})• :•■ ..I board :—Slessrs Henry Powell, Lloyd, Priiel ard, .bee s, Phillips, and Lewis. Sir Iharpnr (surveyor), SfrG, K. Ward (clerk), Sir Thomas (inspector! were also prr- t. The Government Inspector 'aid they had applif' •<% the Local Government Board to borrow a sum of i.br .< £23,000 had been previously borrowed, an 1 nrov?- powers for purchase of lands had been obtained, III would now like to know how that iucrc-.ved amount J". requisite to complete the works ab \e the original esti- mate. 1h Harpur (surveyor) put in an elaborate statement of accounts, showing how the money had been expend- what was required now, The Inspector How did the excess ar'-e ? Sir Harpur We had to go deeper in our <>\<. <- tions. The Inspector Had you trial hole ? Sir Rarpur: Yes, we had, but st >pped ;,t a n .n depth. The Inspector Why did you stop? Sir Harpur: Because I considered we w< nt jA. enough. When we got to the depth uf the holes I tc- :d we were obliged to go lower. The Tnspector Do you show the trial holes < n the map? Sir Harpur: No, sir, I do not. The increased exrei <(i- turc llits been caused 111 consequence of the deviation from the original estimate made for the construct!.< t the new road leading to the reseivoir. The contracvoi h.» done additional work te the embankment without sanction. I could not give a written order for this work without receiving such from the board. I gave bi'u a verbal one. e had to take a large quantity of peat foo'n the excavation, and that was placed 01. the bank, C;, I:¡tG it to be wider. The alteration in the trench was then d:«v,<ed, he original plan showing tliat it was t" i.ve been fee ot wide. The Surveyor said that he had idtersd it, mahi-.i. it much larger, ami this caused considerable expenditure. The inspector; Why was this done The Surveyor TJw alteration \[1., r.r.d to he d-ae. The Inspector: This caused the expenditure of so .w thousands of p<ninds? Did you consult the board .-dj. nt this ? The Surveyor No I did not. The Inspector You certainly hiv e tela: great o -p,. ed- ibility upon yourself. The inquiry then terminated,

Thousands are unable to take Cocoa because the varieties conutiOnly sold ar nvyed \vav n<ter 1.1. pVa of rendering thero soluble; vSnle rr-diy r, a'ciry tlv »u t/o'efc heavy, inrhigtstin-e. '1 nt m«y l>e «isih fatoeted, ft* (f Cocoa f'ickem in the cup !< prole* th* attitim <>f Ita rvA. CAIKURY'8 Cocoa Ees..nce is genuine; It Lit!)e.${. e three timet the streuitb of these Cv>coat. and s* a Tea or CaBea y