The Cardiff Times

MR ALFRED THOMAS, M.P., AND THE HOUSE OF LORDS. Our London Welsh correspondent writes Considerable misapprehension appears to prevail as to the h;¡;8 given by the number for East Gianioigaus ire on the division which took place some nights back on Mr Labouchere-'s resolution with regard to our hereditary legislators. Mr Alfred Thomas has distinctly pledged himself— and I am in a position to state that he has n >t the remotest intention of withdrawing from lus pledges in the matter—to support any measure that may be brought forward with the view of reforming the House of LJrds. Mr Lafcouchere's resolution, it will be remembered, was one of the abstract knd, which but rarely bears any practi- cal results. Mr Gladstone spoke strongly against the resolution on this very ground Looking at the question from Mr Gladstone's standpoint, and carried away, no doubt, by the Prime Minister's eloquence, Mr Alfred Thomas, in company with ether staunch Liberals, followed the Linera-1 leader into the lobby and "oted ag i.ast Mr Labouchera's abstract resolution. It bv no means follows that Mr Thomas, wLn the question of the reform or extinction of the House of Lord- is brought in some practical shape before the House of Commons, will not be found in the right nnk". At any rate, his constituents will do well not to be prepita in condemning what is, at its worst, but an error of judgment committed in sucn good company as that If the Prime Minister.

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U>ANDLORD AND TENANT IN ( THE GAITW VALLEY. I A NEW AGITATION. (BT OCR SPECIAL COKBKSPOMDKNT.] Ars men fools that they srive of their bones an., uiuscles and blood to raise a breed of fat landlords? '—thus ran a portion of the text of a ) notice anonymously sent to every householder in the Garw VaLey during the course IIf last week, conveniui public meeting to oe held near the Fialdau Hotel on Saturday afternoon. The reason se forth fer making such an eminently puin-spoken and point el inquiry as that quoted abov* arises out of that prolific source of disputes and contentions in al! ages and countries-rent, In the present instance it has been left to an ooscure and hnoat uukujwn corner of the Principality to i-iake thj nrst attempt to extend a moveiujut hitherto confined to a more t;¡,01.ùeEt part the United Kingdom where everything congenial to "agitation" in any shape has so far found a sympathetic home. It appears, however, that the long-suffering mlrer cf south Wales has at last awakened from the torpor tuat oppressed hirr" and has resolved co throw off once and for ever the incubus which I he declares presses so heaviiy up-m him that ha finds its difficult to keep a root over ins head. The unfrequented district of the Gu w Valley is particularly difficult of access, especially to those unacquainted with natural features. On Saturday alterna^a, at a quarter to four, I found niyself iaoaed at the 3mall station of Bryamenia, on the Llynvi and Ograore line, happy in the pleasing dooosion that teo minutes' quick walking would bring bring me to F/alaau. The courteous station master quickly undeceived me on this heat:, and it was with feeling; of dismay that I len:i. the real distan.e to be five miles—and perhaps a bit over. The ualy utans of convey- ance available was a nondescript species of dog cart, and it was already packed with various articles, mostly for culinary purposes. To this shaky-looking vehicle was harnessed a steed of such mettle and quality that in the subsequent journey tae driver aud myself were perforce obliged to walk up ail the hIlls and down all the descents—the read being cn.eliy composed of these in regular alternation. However, the drive, or rather walk, Wad through an extremely pictuiesque country, presenting strange combinations of pre- oipitous cliffs and rugged gorges, through winch flowed tumbliasr. foam.ng, eddying streams. This grand natural scenery culminated m a view of almost unexampled wddness as we mounted | tae crest of a hill on tae Betuws side of the Garw river, and tae village of Pont-y-Cymmer came into sight. It is built upon .he opposite slope, and is situated in the parish of Llangeinor—but more j of this anou. As this tarivrng Little town -j tee birthplace of the agitation, a detailed description of the houses, the rent of which is the Done of content! n, may not be out of place here. Toey are of two classes, and the first, which largely predominates, is of the type usually associated with the residences of respeccable working-men. There are two fairly large rooms on the ground floor, with a small though serv.ceabie kitchen oehmd, and upstairs there are three bedrooms. Of neat appearance, sometimes with a cay window in the l'rout apartment, these houses are apparently comfortable and commodious. The sacoad class of residence is of an altes-ifchec commoner grade, and may be most fitiy described perhaps as shanties," simil u- to -these used by navvies when employed in constructing a railway. Only a single story in height, the side and front wans are built of wood, the exception of the two gable-ends to therow, wnich are composed of brick, no douot for greater strength. A iong struggling street of the former i-.uses witu a few rows, lower in the valley, of the inferior variety, and the picture cf Pont-y-cymmer is complete, if two decent hotels, a picturesque bridge, a few better- class buildings, and the plant «. c the neighbouring colliery be added to it. I might also aad that the sanitary arrangements are very primitive in their design, and sadly netficient when applied to the test of actual use. But now to come to the crucial question at issue-lle rent. The usual rate charged for the first species of habitation ranges from 27a to JOs per month of four weeks, there oeing, however, exceptional instancea where I £ os to 24-s are paid. The second pattern of domicile is rented at from 18; to 203 for the same period. The advocates of reduced rents—they are styled ¡ no-reat agitators by their opponents, but this is unjust—state that the larger and better houses were built by their owners at an original outlay of about £140. Bearing upon this, it may be well to mention that a row of teu dwellings were offered the other day at £135 oach. Tne principal land owners in the Llau. geinor parish are Lord Dunraven and Mrs Biandy Jenkins, and in tne parish of Bettws, Mr I Edward Thomas, of Braichcymnor. In the former par ah thsre are plenty of farms let at 5s I per acre, whereas for house-building purposes a ground rent is levied of 5s per n~Tn—the relative value of the same land under the different condi- tions being apparently five shillings and forty pounds per acre. This is in itself a rather striking fact, and of course the excessively high ground- rent is one of the factors in the wider question of the price charged by the i ouse-owaera. In Bettws parish the usual ground rent is 2s 6d per perch. It will thus be seen from the fo-egomg brief statement that if a miner earning 28s per week wages—that is if he is so fortunate as to be working fuli time—desr 3s to live in a moderately comfortable house he has to pay one-fourth, or even more, of his total receipts, for tea privilege. There is at present no help for him, as his interests are combatted a large aad powerful cir; :e. The landowners naturally wish to keep the .alua of their land up to its existing high level, and the house-owner*, by united action, are determined not to abate their revenue without a struggle. The working men must have some place to live in, and M accommodation is limited, a seemingly exorbitant charge must be paid. ¡ Work is fairly plentiful and regular in the valley, so that in the present geterai atate of trade no I relief can be obtained by the departure or the surplus population, its numbers tending to in- crease rather than diminish. Moreover, the I owners of house property are very numerous, j much more so in proportion th ui in larger com- ;r.unities elsewhere. A great many working men I during the past few years, by individual thrift and through the aid of buii bng societies, have become the absolute owners of one or two bouses. ¡ There are few instances in which a whole block is tne exclusive property of one person, so that the ranks of those interested in the maintenance of I the high rents are recruited very largely from the working men themselves. In order to prevent any chance or possibility of an abatement, it is alleged that several cases are known where one landlord has paid another the rent of a house at the ordinary rate sooner thin that it should be let to a tenant at a lower sum. Que specific case of recent occurrence is vouched for, namely, where a speculator built a few houses and vas willinsr to let them at 22$per month, but a neigh- bouring landlord offered and actually paid him II' 293 in order to save the certain depreciation of his own property. Of course the latter would let the houses again at their n -rmal rental, but with no profit to him. eif. I So far, I have faithfully followed the lineof argu- ment used by rhe fair rentparty. The pictuie i. certainly appears to be rather dark, and it would, from these unqualified statements be very I difficult to plead the cause of the house- owneis, or rescue them from the charge of grasping avariciousness, But there is the inevitable other side of the canvas. First and foremost stands the high ground rent paid to the landowner, and with which I have previously dealt. Then comes a charge of dis- honesty oa the part of the tenant. The wife of this reprehensible personage, say the opponents of the agitat n, goes to the landlord at the end of the fortnight, and tells him, wit;, ,eara in her eyes, that, her husband has been auct ;r is out of and that the rent cannot be paid just then. Another fortnight's grace •«=» allowed, at the end of which period perhaps one quarter of the money is forthcoming. Thus matters progress, and arrears mount up for two or even three months, when one fine laonung the landlord wakes up to find his house empty, and in a frightful state of disorder, and the agitating tenant fled to lands unknown, with all his house- hold goods and other impedimenta sur- eptltiously taken away under the cover ] of darkut-ss, or privately disposed of. Then II j again, the alleged inability to pay the rent is | hotiy denied. The majority cf the occupiers keep three or four lodgers, who pay fr>^m 2s 6d to 4s per week each for sleeping accommodation alone. This practice, some eighteen months ago, when there was a large influx of navvies owing to the formation of a number of loop-lines on the mineral railway, was carried to such an extent that in eight houses j of the ordinary dimension^ there were two hundred I persons. This is an extraordinary statement, but it is attributed to a medical oScec acquainted with the district. Three of the men usually slept in sue bed, and as each batch turned out their pla.es were taken by another set, tired and weary from the day or night shift, as the easo might be. The confusion that often arose on a Sunday when I there was an odd shift was, as may readily be imagined, something extraordinary. Taking all these things into consideration—the liability to I lose money due, tho profits made by the tenants out of their houses, and the undeniable risk attending the investment of capital in fixed pro- i p.rty which may at any time be rendered worth- less by the fluctuations of trade—the houseowuerg I claim that their rents are reasonable, and refuse to entertain the idea of lowering them. As I entered the village on Saturday afternoon I encountered a group of men loitering Oil the bridge near the Ffaldau Hotel. It was then nearly an hour beyond the advertised time of meeting, but as yet no signs were forthcoming of any attempt at speech-mAg. The placards and notices convening the assembly —whico have already appeared in the South Waits Daily News—were signed "Vox Populi, Vox Dei," and no man knew whence the,, mysterious documents emanated. The men were very quiet, orderly, and good tempered, but no bold spirit would take the lead, until at length the crowd moved en masse to a steep, sloping lie.d over- looking the hotel, and all.t level with the village. The precipitous niii sides were yet covered with patches of fivzen suow, and the eutire surrouuaings formed a novel and memorable birth-place lor the agitati o As we asc.mdod the heavy gradient some wretched novels, n >w used as pig-styes, were shown to me, with tiie accompanying information that two years ago, during the good times, these places brought h: a rental of 20s per month as human I u-.t.iro, At io."t a halt was made near a small moupd, an i ..g.un there was a long deiay before anyone would take the lead. AU were unxious to effect a start, but modesty—or some other reason—prevented any person from aasuniir-g the conspicuous post of chairman. Fin after much vaciiia- tion and porsuasior., Mr 14. Hughes con- sented to take 1W3 honour. Briefly dressmg the meeting in Welsh, he expuiue i their motives for assembling, and appealed to all chose who coud to speak in English, for the sake oi toe press representatives present. One of diese strengthened the request by saying that if Uieir case was good their only hope of ultimate success lay in publicity. This was cordially agreed to out tae iirst speaker, a workiug-mr.o, was unaoie I) express his views in English. HI: was succeeded by a more accomplished lmgukt, who prefaced his remarks by saying it was toe fh-jt tune in his life he had ever spoke.i in public, so he hoped they wuuld excuse his styie. So far aj he could understand it, they were met there to speak about tho high rents. They did not see why they should pay 30s a month for a bare house to live in. (Cheers.) He himself paid 22s, but he had the worst house in the vailey. It w, a bad house, bad from the beginning, and he had not improved it. (Laughter.) Even that rent he could not afford to pay, because he had been ill and had a large family. Anyhow, he thought that houses letting now at 308 per mouth thornd be brought down to JS1. The landlords took all tneir hard-earned money .urrent—(gioans)—and it was high time it was put a stop to. (Cheers.) Another working-oi-m spoke in Welsh, and .dvocated a lowering .:its. ft was nonsense, ha said, fcr the to say they could not afford to lower the icnts, for in the Ogmoie Valley they bad been pulled down from 18s to 15. (Cheers.) Every farthing they earned m'ght go in rent for all the landlords carad, but it was their duty to first provide food for their children, and clothes to (Hear.) The next speaker had been in the Garw Valley for a considerable period, and he found that £100 went a good way towards building a house. He had one now that cost him only £100, and if ir. had to rent it he would have to pay 26 pc: month. (The reader will, perhaps, notice that this statement, if correct, means that owners of such a class of property are therefore receiving nearly seventeen per cent. for their capital.) What would happen to a man paying such a sum if he happened to fall ill or m=et with an accident? Hi- would soon be hopelessly in debt, and the landlord would coma aud seize bis bits of traps." (Shame.) It was time there was a change, and what he recommended was the formation of a good building society amongst themselves. (Hear.) They could soon have a tidy house a.t a payment of only 12s per month, and at the eud of 20 years it would be their own, as the money aud interest would be all paid. (Hear.) Moreover, if they met with an uccideut they would not bs turned out and have their furniture sold for a month's arrears, but the society would allow them time to recover them- selves. Then if they wi-hrd to le v*- tiJd place after a few years, their house would be like a bank for their money, for if the payments were regu- larly made, the interest would be worth so much— or JE50, according to the number of years. Plenty of building societies would be willing to trust respectable men like themselves, and he thought that this was the only practical way out of the difficulty. (Cheers.) Another working man, who said he was a lodger an0 not an occupier, akdd them to remember that they—the people of Pont-y-Cymmer and the Garw Valley—were the cause of the increased value of land and houses. It was their presence alone that broaght in such rents as £4-0 an acre to the landlord and such profits to the house- owner. Therefore he considered that they had a perfect right to demand a reduction in their rents. (Cheers) The last speaker talked about building societies, and he also believed that their only means of redress lay therein. But this plan would take a considerable time before it could have any effect; and what were they to do in the meantime ? After furtner talk of this kind, the following resolution was moved and seconded: Resolved, that we, workmen o: the Garw Valley, protest most strongly agaiasc the present high charges for house rent generally. We also protest against the discouragement on the part ot the landowners to building speculators by the character of the present leases." This was carried unanimously, aud a workman then rose to propose a vote of thanks to the South Wales Daily News for sending a representative there that day to inquire into their grievances, vote was cordially endorsed, and at the re- of a person in the crowd the Western Mail ..s mcluded in the acknowledgment. The pro- poser hoped that the account of their proceedings that day might an effect upon the tender consciences cf the landlords; but in any case they were ready to fight it out. A vote of thanks to tha chairman and speakers concluded tho formal business, but for seme tune afterwards knots of tan or a dozen men eageriy discussed the features of the new agitation,andemouragad each otherto j vere in the work now that it hid been reaL] I: began. Although the anou„.Tious manifesto appealed for a resolution to be passed That no more rniT be paid until the landlords reduce their I rents to a just and reasonable figure," y = t it will be perceived that not a single ailusion was made to any s seeping measure, and the men are apparently resolved to usa none but legitimate means to achieve their object. No settled plan was formed for future act iou, but it was confi- deutly assumed on all hands that once the ball was set rolling it would notbeallovved to rest until BO. J >nite result had been attained. But the shadows thLwn by the lofty hiIJs over the valley were new rapidly beginning to deepen, and having taken sure seat in 3 better vehicle than that in which I bad travelled thirher, Pont-y-Cymmer aud its peaceful agitators were ia a few moments hidden from sight, as we d: ved into the neigh- bouring ravine en route to Bryni min, where I barely caught the last train to Card ■#.

A CARDIFF BOILER-MAK?R'S SPOIiTINU At Newport county police-court, on Saturday— before Dr. Woollett and Mr E. A. Lee — William Boyd, boiiet-maker, Cardiff, was caaxgod with stealing a duck and a fowl, the property respectively of Taoinas Evans and Ihniel Harrhy, jf liumney, near Cardiff. On Tuursday P.G. Hole was on duty in the road- way near Rumney, and heard several reports of a gun. A little further on he saw blood and duck's feathers. About 300 yards further on he met the prisoner and a man named Charlie. The officer afterwards proceeded to prisoner's house at Car- diff, and was handed the duck by his wife. There was a shot in its leg, and its neck was broken. Prisoner ^aid he shot at a sno .v bird and hit the duck by mischance, but that Charlie broke its neck. — The Magistrates' Clerk Why isn't Charlie in the dock 1- P.C. Hole I do not know.—Charles Glllard, plumber, and landlord of the lioath Cottage beerhouse, Cardiff, ouid he went with prisoner Oil a shooting excursion. Prisoner was under the influence of drink. The pri- soner sb- t, and witness afterwards saw the duck kicking in the but did not twist its neck. The prisoner carried the duck home over his shoulder. He also bagged several small birds. Mr Parker, who appearod for he defence, contended that there was no felonious intent, as al; "ed. The theft was committed whilst the prisoner was drunk. It was a drunken freak. — The Magistrates' Clerk: What 1 Go out and shoot- live ducks and take them home under his coat—no felonious intention It will be for the magistrates sitting as jury to decide that.—Fined 40s, or a fortnight's imprison- ment. The magistrates marked their sense of Gillard's conduct by disallowing his expenses.

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I THE VIVIAN STATUE AT S'W ANSEA.. I

I UNVEILING OEXLEMONY. SPEECH BY LORD ABERDARK The inhabitants of Swansea have done hor-our to one of their leading fellow-townsmen, by elect- ing a status of him whil., he is yet alive. This tribute, which is seldom paid to any man, is a fitting recognition of the magnificent results which has attended the conduct of one of the largest and most important industries in the principality— industries the development of which has,more than anything else, led to the rise of the port of Swan- sea to its present position. But it is not alone as a commercial man that Sir Henry Hussey Vivian, Bart., M.P., has for cousiderably more than a quarter of a century occupied a foremost position in the principality. His whole life has been àe. voted to the development of Swansea as a port he has long held the foremost position in the metallurgical industries for which she is so fivmous and for more than 30 years he has faith fully represented his native county in the House of Commons. Thus it was that nearly three yaars ago the illhabits of Swansea decided to do Sir Hussey an honour as extraordinary as it is deserved. The matter was heartily taken np, a commission was given to the eminent sculptor, Signor Raggi, and the result was seen on Satur- day by quite 30,000 people. DESCRIPTION OF THE STATUE. The pedestal i3, in itself, a work of art. In fIrm it is an irregular octagon, and is almost a facsimile of the one supporting the bronze statue of Loid Beaconsfkld by the same sculptor, which stands at Westminster. It conso s of a huge block of unpolished grey granite, sur- mounted with a base and cap of red AberdAen granite, and is the work of Messrs Alexander, Macdonald, aud Co., of Aberdeen and London. I The height of the pedestal is 10 feet 6 inches. The bronze statue is of colossal dimensions, moulded, in fine bronze, fromthe model bySignor Raggi, and cast at the Eccleston Foundry, Pimlico, by Messrs Young and Co., whose bronze statues have a world-wide fame. The sculptor ha3 been most successful in delineating the well-known features of the hon. baronet. Sir Hussey is represented in the attitude of addressing an assembly one hand is held towards the audience, and in the other is a roll of notes. The figure is attired in morning dress, over which hangs in graceful folds an Inverness. On the ground, to the left, is a pile of books. The statue, by a strange blunder on the part of the committee, is placed with its back to the constituency Sir Hussey Vivian represents in Parliament, and also to the great works be has so successfully conducted. THE CEREMON Y. Notwithstanding the fact that the great market is held on Saturday, business was in I pome parts of the town entirely suspended flags Mattered in many of the streets, and altogether I quite a gala appearance was presented. The sun shone brightly during the afternoon, adding an additional inducement to those previously anxious to witness so interesting a ceremony, and shortly after one o'clock the steps of most of the inhabitants were directed towards Castle-square. Just before two, Lord Aberdare, Sir Hussey Vivian, Mr Dillwyn, M.P., Sir John Jenkins, Mr Pendarves Vivian, Mr Graham Vivian, the Ven, Archdeacon of Llandaff, and Mr Aubrey Vivian arrived at the Town-hall, and were received by the mayor (Mr W. J. Rees) and Alderman Daniel (the chairman of the statue committee.) Amongst the others who met at the Town-hall were the Ex-Mayor (Mr W, Williair.a), nor Raggi (the sculptor), Aldermen Tulloch, Davies, and Thomas Councillors R. M ir ,in, R. D, Burnie, D. Meager, T. Freeman, h. Mali- paant, F. Rocke, J. Lewis, A. Mason, W. Richards, D. Thomas, J. Cady, and F. Jones Mr J. Thomas (town clerk), Messrs J, 0. Fowler, F. Cory Yeo, G. B. Brock, Iv. Capper, T. Phil lips, W. R. Smith, T. Cory, G. B. Strick, J. D. Jones, W. Stone, P. Rogers, J. Hall, T. Hall, T. R. Down, E. N. Bellingham, W. Rosser, J. Roberts, E. Roberta, Canon Smith, Canon Wilson, Rev J. Lewis, F. James, E. Strick, J. Buso, W. Pockett, R. J. Letcher, Dr D. H. Thomas, and a Dr Jabez Thomas. At two o'clock these, and a large number of others, walked in procession to the site of the statue. They were headed by the police band, and the members of some of the friendly societies, of which Sir Hussey Vivian has been a patron. Following the mace bearers came the mayor, accompanied by Lord Aberdare, Alderman Daniel, and Signor Raggi. Sir Hussey Vivian, supported Ly Mr Dillwyn and Sir John J ui kins caine next, and the members of the council and othe," followed, four deep. While this procession was forming a concourse, greater than any ever before een in such a small space, had assembled in Cas*, e-square and Wind-street. From the post otfice in "Jostle-street to the George Hotel in Wind-street stretched a compact mass of people, and the crowd continued to multiply with such rapidity that soon every bye street leading into the main street was quite as closely" packed. All the surrounding houses were >,¡¡.ily decked with bunting, and every window of other coign oi v intage was occupied. The Liberal Clubpresented aa especially pleasing aspect, draped as it was with bunting, and thronged with people. Under the statne was erected a platform all which were waiting Laly Vivian, Lady Jane Vivian, Miss Vivian (Singleton), Miss Violet Vi1. ian, Miss Averil Vivian, Miss Lindsay, and Miss le -th L)ach. Before those in the procession reached t- form, they passed through rows of h^rfwur employes and members of friendly societies, and were then received by a guard of honour of the 1st Glamorgan Rifle Volunteers. When Lord Aberdare and Sir Hussey Vivian took their I places on the platform, they were greeted with cheer after cheer. SPOOR BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE OOHMITm. The ceremony commenced with a speech by I Alderman DANIEL, who said he had the honour of filling the high office of Mayor of I Swansea when it was unanimously decided that some recognition of no ordinary character should be paid to Sir Hussey Vivian for the great and many public services he hid rendered to his native town, and indeed to the whole country, if not the nation. (Cheers.) It was scarcely neces- sary for him to dilate in the presence of so many who were well versed in the history of the town, what form that recognition took. He might, however, remind them that it was the great effort Sir Hussey made in order to secure the location of the college in Swaosea* the forcible antQ" I hv put forth—(cheers)—the energy and judgment he used to secure that end, which was the imme- diate incentive to the erection of the statue they I were there to uaveii. (Loud cheers.) Of course they ail regretted that such noble efforts were not successful. (Hear, heir,) Sir Hussey was not prompted by momentary excitement or by a new- boru zeal for the higher education of the people for he had been one of the pioneers, in connection with his late respected father, to place primary education witain tue reach of all classes in the neighbourhood. No one could for a moment look at the excellent schools near the Hafod, and think of the good and useful work that had been rl"ne tbere-(bear, hear)—and also bear in mind that some of those who were educated there had attained to very high positions in the management of municipal and imperial affair;, without feeling a sense of gratitude— (cheers)—and the object of their meeting there that day was a well-merited recognition of services rendered by a great man to his fellow subjects. (Loud cheers.) It would almost be invidious to dwell upon the leading position Sir Hussey held as a manufacturer, or upon the incalculable bene- fits that had resaftwl to the neighbourhood f> on the large undertakings that he and his family had so successfully carried on. (Loud applause.) Much of Sir liussey's life had been spent amongst them in the activo promotion and government of all public matters appertaining to the welfare of the neighbourhood—(cheers)—that for him to reiterate them before a Swansea audience would be like carrying coals to Newcastle. (Laughter and hear, hear.) At the same time he could not refrain from expressing upon this occasion the great obligation jjhey were under to him for the time and abihtjf Jhat he had devoted to bring thoir harbour to'ine proud position it was now in -(ciieers)-and ho should also say the town and neighbourhood, for tho -e would not have occupied the position they did but for the harbour. Long might Sir Hn3se> -Vivian be spared, so that be might live to see the consummation of the further effort be was making to make Swansea the chief port of communication with the United States of America. (Luud and long continued cheers.) THE UNTKIIIINQ OF THE STATUE BY LORD ABERDARE. Lord ABESDASK then stepped forward and, amid ringing cheera, unveiled the statue. His lordship expressed his sorrow at his inability to make his voice heard by even ona-fiftieth part of that vast and magnificent meeting, and went on to say that it was a teal pleasure, as it was an honour, to be called upon to perform that ceremony in behalf of some old friends of well-nigh sixty years stand ing--(cbeers)--for it was within one year of sixty that he (Lord Aberdare) first ca me to Swansea6 as a pupil of their ancient grammar school, where he, in tha following five years, obtained such an amount of education as he did not afterwards confer upoa himself. From those earliest times he received personal kindness from the f .ther of Sir Hussey Vivian- (cheers)—and his tajaily, and amongst his early recollections were recorded visit3 to Singleton, and to his equally old friends, the Dillwyns— (cheers)—of Penllergare. Now they were assem- bled there thai day to do a, very singular and ex- ceptional honour to one of their fellow citizens, which was to raise a statue to a living man and it was his business to ask them to listen to the reasons which in his opinion had iustified that unusual action. Is was the work he was told, not of any one party in Swansea, but of people of all shades of political views. There was a favourite song in Scotland which ran :— Let Whig and Tory all agree To spend the night in mirth and glee, And cheerful sing alang w* me The reel 0' Tuliochgcrum. Now there were a great many things Whigs and Tories could equally agree to do. They could ftjlually approve of honest merit, and of a long Me spent in fruitful and honourable service. (Cheers.) Such, he ventured to say, had been the life of Sir Hussey Vivian. (Renewed cheering.) There was an old and very wise Italian saying which he would ask them to bear in mind during the course of his address. They say At 20 yoars a man knows or he will never know at 30 years a man does or he will never do at 40 years a man 13 made or he will never make." What was Sir Hussey Vivian at 20 ? Well, his father gave him the best advantages which an intelligent father could give to his son. He sent him to our first public school —Eton. Then he went abroad—on the continent —to learn foreign languages, and to acquire knowledge which he could aot obtain in his own countary, and afterwards he wasseut to Cambriidgge University. Durilli those years, they might be sure, knowing as they d d the character of Sir Hussey, that he applied himself earnestly and assiduously to win all those qualities which make up his manly constitution. (Applause.) At the age of 21 he was taken into partnership with his beloved father. The three following years he steadily applied himself to the conduct of busi- ness at the bouse of the firm at Liver- pool, and there he laid that foundation of the wide and accurate knowledge of business which has distinguished his life. At 28 he came to Swansea as anjactive partner of the works, and what v. a3 his very first act ? At that time the whole of the education of the young of that part in Swansea was given in a dame school, but in the very first year of his partnership Sir Hussey directed his father's attention to the want of educational advantages in the district, and thus were founded those magnificent schools at the Hafod to which Alderman Daniel had just tailed attention. (Applause.) He was not sure they were not the first of the kind in the principality at any rate, those at Dowlais could have been the only ones established before the Hafod schools. Those schools were of inestimable value not only in the work they did, but in the example they showed others. (Hear, hear.) During thoae first five yoais the whole of the works were conducted with their old vigour, and probably with still greater, and year after year almost some new trade was opened by the ingenious and scientific mind of Sir Hussey. He had in his hand a list of some of those new indus- tries. It 1845 were founded for the first titde the spelter and steel works, in 1846 works for the extraction of silver from copper were put up, in lb"0 were added machinery for the extraction of gjld, aLl in 1855 works for the making of nickel and jsobalt were added. The year 1864 was a very remarkable one for him— one of the very highest credit to bilO as a manufacturer, and as a public man. That was his efforts to consume tho poisonous smoke that issued from the works, and the result of those efforts. (Applause.) He did not know whether those present recollected that some years ago he (Lord Aberdare) and other members of a Royal Commission appuiu." to consider the best mode of dealing with nox IOUs vapours, visited Swansea, amongst other larget centres of industry, and at S wansea they found the first effort to grapple with the evil, and too first man who ever tried it was Sir Hussey Vivian. (Cheers.) The result of this was that a great I captilse was given to the inu istries of tbe place, fV,r 't led to the foundation of alkali works cf works by which the sulphuric ':i was ex- tracted, and made an ar, 510 of com- merce, (Applause.) Sowetitn after fresh works wore raised for the treatmci.t of pure silvox. Those were all out orlr« ••"•' '■ ,,1'1 c»v*r h»co | been introduced „ flossey Vivian, (Applause.) These r.ui, iou only things which interested him during this period. Tho important question of agriculture occupied much of his attention,»and if they wanted to see the iinoit cattle in Glamorganshire aud the best crops th'^y must go to Patk-le-Breos, ia Gower. (Hear, bear.). All this was a great deal for a private man to do, but it was not all. After their school days they met as the co-directors of the Vale of Neath Railway, "ud he (Lord Aberdare) could bear hearty testimony to the sound sagacity and thoroughness of what Sir Hussey did in the interest of the lilJ", Sir Hussey was, he believed, tiie oil ""t member of the Swansea Hwhour Trust. They knew that the first Bocks at Swansea were due to the impulse he gave, but he believed a still greater impulse vas the opening of those magnificent dooka at Fabian's Bay, to which Sir Hussey largely contributed by his industry. ] £ was due to the hon, baronet's personal influencP that the Prince and Princess of Wales camei to open that enormous dock. (Applause.) What he (Lord Aberdare) observed about those docks was that, unlike other docks, they uot only provided for the present but the future. (Applause.) That shewed that Sir Hussey and those who worked with him hart faith in Swansea. (Cheers.) Before he referred to Sir Hussey as a. public man, he would just allude to the interest he took in the most patriotic of movements—the formation of the volunteer corps. He, at the outset, threw himself I heartily into the movement, and succeeded in raising a corps 600 strong, which I10 understood was still flourishing. His lordship theu observed that he had enumerated work which would be thought ampjy sufficient for the energies of any man, but ho had left out what Sir Hussey had done during his iuur-and-thirty years in Parliament. lie was first returned iu the year 1852, a few months before he (Lord Aberdare) entered Parliament, anu lie has remained there ever sine(Applauoe.) He (Lord Aberdare) wjl3 therefore qualified to :peak at any r<.io of the fh'3t twei-ty years of Sir Hussey's life in Pardsanent, and be was able to watch the scrady progress of his friend the respect and admiration of Parlianr^at. Why? Because Sir Hussey never addressed the Houj-e without having mastered the subject on which he spoke. Hence ho was alvv. ys listened to with the most wrapt attention. Ooe of the first great services he lid in Parliament in reference to a question of enormous importance. Professor Jovons, supported by another who was fortu- nately still amongst us—Sir William Armstrong— • iesenbed tha condition of England in the hear future as one of great anxiety in consequence of dw rapid exhaustion of the coul-fields, Mr Glad- stone-^cheers)—was so much moved by their argument that he proposed measures for the more rapid pr ying off of the national debt in order that England should not be hampered by doing it when coal became scarcer and dearer. Then Sir Hussey Vivian got np and delivered a masterly speech of tfnee hours' duration. He (Lord Aber- dare) well remembered it and the impression it produced. Tiie consequence was the issue of a Royal Commission presided over by the Duke of Argyle, and the result of their inquiry, a-fter years of evidence taken all over the country, entirely justified the viewsof Sir Hussoy Vivian. (Cheers.) The next remarkable service he renaered was one he could not oall a party measure. When the lieiorm Bill of Mr Disraeli's was under disoussiou in the House, Sir Hussey moved the insertion of a clause to ¡;{i Vii leaseholders the right to vote for the county. The result was the addition of many hundreds of thousands of the most respectable voters of the constituency. (Cheers.) But he himself would be inclined—[at this stago the auge crowd surged to and fro so violently as to create fouch confusion and coustornation. During attempts to direct some of tha throng to those spots least crowded, some women fainted and had to be helped away. Cries and shrieks were raised, and Lord Aberdare ceased speak- ing for sev ,rd minutes.) On resuming, his lord- ship said, of all the public services rendered by Sir Hussey, the most important in his opinion was the part he took in bringing forward the wants of Wales in respect to higher education. (Cheers.) It was at the request of the council of the college at Aberystwith, as wen as of those interested in education iu other parts of Wales, that Sir Hussey undertook the task of bringing forward the necessity of Welsh education before the Houses of Parliament. He did it in a most masterly speech-a speech which led to the im- mediate appointment of a departmental com- mittee, over which he (Lord Aberdare) had the honour of presiding. (Applause.) He knew of no greater service a man could secure for his country than tho means of obtaining a liberal educatsc-r and for that in Wai -s they were largely indebted to Sir Hussey Vivian. (Loud caeera.) He might enlarge on many occasions during which facts showed to what extent Sir Hus sy enjoyed the confidence of the House of Commons. He could recoiiect some of the most difficult and delicate commutees of Inquiry on which he was placed, and he could mention specifdly an inquiry iuto the alleged misconduct of a Lord Cnanoellor and the ad visability of constructing the Channel Tuan-'i. 00 the last commission he and Sir Hussey did not arrive at tho same conclusion, but no one who heard the hon. baronot would doubt the grave and strong Masons for the position at which arrived on tile question. Cofning more immediately to the question of the day, Lord Aberdare said they had now beiore them the statue of Sir Hussey Vivian. As he looked at it he could not but thiuk that the sturdy and powerful figure was not only a physical but a moral repre- sentation of the man they were met togethe: to honour. The character so decidedly pourtrayed ia thoso noble features Sir Hussey had exhibited through life. Great lirmness—that firmness not, degenerating into obstinacy. lovLord Aber- dare) knew few more difficult portions than that of a member of Parliament. A consistent man, desirous to act according to the dictates of his own conscience, to do what was just tohis constitueuts, to do what was right to himselfj. nmst often feel compelled to give votes which might displease his constituents but he thought all would agree that if we wanted a set of upright and just members of Parliament who should be respected by others they must first begin by respecting themselves. (Cheers.) Now he entirely objected to the doctrine be ciaw preached to-day that members of Parliament were to be actuated by exactly the same principle and vote exactly in the^ o.nne way, by which there was to os uo difference between one Liberal and another. For heaven's sake let us preserve tl33 dignity of our principles by letting them vote as they would. What had they done at Swaiw3a Loth their representatives were good a^d sound Liberals. Air Dillwyn—(applause)—was what is popularly called an advanced Liberal. Sir Hussey Vivian would not desire to 06 called advanced—be would be satisfied at being caiied a sound Liberal. The constituencies had shown their confidence in them in spite of some shades •. f differenca which all knew existed between their political views. (Applause.) His lordsuin did not think on imp"1^^ questions they would ever be found in different^ lobbies—(a I voice: "No politics ")—but this ne t»iuew, that I there were listening to him not oidv Lojnservatives but Liberals of all shades, and It, was necessary they should be represented in Parliament. (Hear, hear.) There were two kinds of trees, tiie oak awl the willow the oak might be sometimes too rigid, and the willow was often too bending, but aiter all he would rather have a member of Parliament made out of the oak than the wihoW, (Applause.) The only objection he had beard against raisiug a statue to a living man was that it was possible that something might happen to Laughter.) He might change his opinions, or ioiieiu nis claim or, public coahdence. Now they were pretty safe against that in this instance, IGaeers.) They often Ueard of people not being re<'vaVtir accord- ing to their merits. Coleridge i-ai 1, xt seemed like tidings from the land of spirits it any man obtain that which he merits, or any ment tnat waich he obtain." Now, had Sir Hussey obtained that which he merited? He had obtameu many honours—honours from the Crown and from the I country—honours he valued more than any from his fellow-citizens and friends in Glamorganshire and Swansea. Could any one say had obtained too many ? He might say that Were U1.a^y high offices of State to which Sir Hussey rnigat legitimately aspire. (Applause.) -1^ &id Sic liussey merit that which lie obtained. He thougui, all would agree with him that greataa signal honour his fellow-townsmen had rendered Lini, signal and remarkable and exceptional as it was, it was not too great for the man who had done so much to conduce to the physical, material, moral, and intellectual welfare of his fellow-people. (Cheers.) It must be a proud tlung tor the affectionate son of a father to think that the only other statue in that large town was his owa. He knev the late Mr Vivian-—(cheers)— well, and he could say with confidence that a nobler man never existed. (Renewed cheers.) Perfect as be (Lord Aberdare) thought his own father, he should be proud of having as a ia<lef'r~ as Sir Hussey and his brothers had one ot the best, most honourable, aadnost beloved men of this generation. (Cheers.) It had been a satis- factory thing to him to speak on ci1?' oc9asl?ai)Ii the subject of his old and faithful irienu, Sir Hussey Vivian. It had been a pleasure to to review his past career, and saoW now Iv. was connected with the growth and prosperity oi the town of which he (Lord Aberdare.! was earfy connected, and for which he had a most tionate regard but the most satisfactory tbpg of all was to see those crowds of races and one hearty recognition of honest merit and 01 a cha- racter noble and true, and oue which Jastiuea all they had done. (Loud cheers.) His iOrdaUip concluded by asking the mayor «nd sound, to receive into their cars aad custody the statne of Sir Hussey Vivian. 8PEK0H B? THE MAYOn. The MAYOB, who was received with loud cheering, said he had much pleasure in accepting, on behalf of the town of Swansea, that magnin- cent statue of their distinguished and much respected townsman and representative iu Parlia- ment, Sir H. H. Vivian. He couid not help congratulating the sculptor (Signor Raggi) upon having produced so striking a likeness of the worthy baronet. He did not chink the statue could have been erected in a bettor and mora suitable position than where it now stood, viz., in the centre of the oldest p of this ancient borough. The name or Vivian was a name that must live for ever in connection with the history of the rise and progress of Swansea, and there was no one whose memory should be perpetuated in the borough before that of their honourable friend. Ho thought they might fairly ask themselves what would have been the position of Swansea that day had it net been for the efforts and com- mercial enterprise or the Messrs Vi vian. It might havecoobnuedtobeonly asmallandobscure Ulage. The town of Swansea was under a deep debt of gratitude to Sir Hussey for the valuable services I ha had rendered in connection with the develop- ment of their port, and by the expenditure of eo large an amount of capital in thair midat. Fow men had tne honour ot having a statue erected to their memory during their lifetime, aad tab was 1 bast wi&ace couid give (0 SiI iiaMojr of th» higij appreciation in winch 'ft held by lua feU av-townsirn-u. (CLettrA.) His vorship brought his epeceh to 1* close by Sir H ussey a long life of continued prosperity and happiness, (Loud cheers.) Srit HUSSEY VIVIAN'S THANKS, Sir Husssr VIVIAN, in response to load calls, stepped forward, and received & magnificent reception. He he could not find words to say how deeply his feeling of thankfulness was for the honour they had done him, or how sincere was his gratitude. He felt grateful to them all. He felt grateful to his old friend, Lord Aberdare, for coming there to perform this ceremony. Lord Aberdare had known him from boyhood, and was his oldest friend, and he had spoken to them of him in terms he little deserved. At the same time he felt proud to hive Lord Aberdaie's esteem, and that he was able conscientiously to use the terms he had used, because they might be sure that nothing that issued from his mouth did not also come from his inmost heart. (Applause.) It was the saying of an old Roman that to re- ceive commendation from the man who was h ui- self commended was the highest tribute one couid possibly obtain. That was the case with his friend, Lord Aberdare. (Applause.) There was no man ia Wales who had attained more eminence than he had. He was one of our greatest statesmen, he had held the highest position in the State, and received the greatest honour that couid be bestowed by his Sovereign. (Applause.) lie (the sper- ker) therefore thanked him for coming there and taking a prominent part in that cere- mony. Need he say how deep his feeling of grat;ide was to those wh ) had taken an active part in raising the statue in his honour ? To the committee and subscribers he felt his deepest gratitude was due, and ho felt proud in looking 0\ cO the list of those who formed the committee, and who had subscribed towards the fund, to find that those Who differed from him in politics and in the observance of religion-he w nkl not say m religious faith, but in the way religion was observed—-had joined together in one common accord to do this very great honour. (Applause.) He saw the representatives of all parties,and he was glad that those of his friends who differed from him had risen above those narrow party feelings which too often separated men of different creeds and different beliefs. That was an object which it had always been bis earnest desire to attain. He regard au all as his fellow countrymen—ali desirous of doing the best that in them lay for the glory of God and for the benefit (If their common country. (Applause.) Hetiianked his fellow-townsmen for the magniti- cient display they had made that day. Alder- man Daniel had been prominent in tho move- ment. He and the aidermaa had worked together for many a year, and there was no one liviiig who had a higher estimation of the alderman than he had. Alderman Darnel had kindly alluded to the endeavours he (Sir Hussey) made to secure the selection of Swansea as a site for the South Wales University College. Let him say tois— that the man to whom he was in- debted for those argumeuts which he was ablo to n ° was their capable and excellent town cierk. Long, said Sir Hussey in conclusion, long after the memory of the unworthy subject of this statue lias passed away, he trusted it might exert a u-eful public influence. He hoped that it might I excite men—the rising citizens of Swal)selt-to eu- deavour to attain as great a prize as that which had been presented to him to-day. He could only add that, measuring himself conscientiously by his own feelings, he could not arrive at the con- clusion that he had bem at all worthy ot the great honour they had done him; but lie accepted it at the hands of his fellow-townsmen as, at all events, a proof that be bad duno his best amongst, them—that he had endeavoured to do his duty. (Loud cbeeriug.) Those on the platform were then photographed, afterwhich Lord Aberdare left to catch a train.

THE SWANSEA. HOYAL FRIENDLY SOCIETY. MEETING OF MEMBERS. A GOVERNMENT INQUIRY CALLED FOR. A public meeting of members and policy- holders in the Swausea Royal and South Wales Union Friendly Society was held in Swallsea en Saturday evening, to consider the unsatisfactory Oondition oi the society's affairs, and also the proposal of the directors to transfer its assets and liabilities to the London, Edia burgh, aad Glasgow Assurance Company (Limited). A resolution in favour of petitioning the Registrar of Friendly Societies for an investi- gation into the society's affairs was placed before the meeting, and discussed at considerable length. In the coarse of the discussion Mr Bow en spoke strongly against the proposed transfer, and pointed out that if the members agreed to the amalgamation, ail the officers would be ex- onerated,—Mr Slee, tjio general secretary, re- marked that before a Government inquiry could be heid the memoeis of the Swansea Royal would lose all they couid L;d.-A voice: "And John Slee a good situation,"—Mr Bowen, continuing, stated that an mvestigatiou would ouly cost the members L50, and he was prepared to pay his quota of this 8uIIJ.Mr JohniOll said that as an official he questioned the wisdom of investigation. Admitting that they could get some of the otficiab into a corner, what was to become of the members policies? That was the thing to come to. The members could only be secured by amalgamation with a society with capital. He moved as an amendment, "That the act of the committee and trustees be approved of in transferring the Swaii, t Royal to tho London, Edinburgh, an Giasgow,A Voice: "A rotten society.'—Mr Johnson: "Not more rotten than you, my friend." (Loud laughter.)—Mr Short, another agent, seconded the 8.meudment.-A tele- gram from the manager of the Loudon, Edinburgh, and Glasgow Assurance Company stated that his society was prepared to take over the liabilities of the Swansea Royal if the members were agreeable. If they wanted 20s ilt the £ they would get it.—After this a Mr Crocker, in a speech which created considerable consternation, related tiie particulars of a meeting between Mr Slee aad the agents, which took place on Friday week. The manager then, he said, promised the agents that if they would aid him iu securing the amalgamation he would give them the whole of the premiums obtained during the week the amalgamation was effected. Mr Slee was present in the room, and he (Mr Crocker) challenged him to deny having used those words.—Mr Slee did not answer. -The sp-aker went on, I will tell you more. One of the agents asked Mr Slee what wouit be the result to the Royal if it did not amalgamate. It would burst up in a month," said Mr Slee, and he cried as he said so. (This •tatement worked the meeting up to a pitch of intense excitement). If tiie. tuantger liad nothing to fear, why should he vve-. p ? He (the sneaker) advocated a thorough overhauling of the whole of the society's books, and if they carried a resolu- tion with this object in Swansea, the thousands of members in Mertbyr, Aberdare, Neath, and tbe Rhondda Valley, and other places would demand an enquiry.—Mr Short, another agent, considered amalgamation more important than investigation. They could prove that money had been mis-spent, but those who had mis-spent it were dead and in their graves.—Mr Crocker Oh, no they are alive, and are living close by.- Mr Short concluded his speech amid cries of In- vestigation,"—Mr LAW, of Neath, who next at- tempted to speak, was mot with cries of "You're not a member," and "Turn him out." An agoat re- marked that the policy in which Mr Law was interested had lapsed, and amid roars of laughter, lIvlt. Lw offired to bet his interruptor £ 5 to a level bob that it had not lapsed. He further stated that "the whole of the nobility aud gentry of Neath were interesting themselves ia the matter. Renewed laughter greeted this an- nouncement. At the conclusion of Mr Law's speech, the original resolution iu favour of a Government inquiry was carried by & Utgs majority.

I THE HEALTH OF CARDIFF, The return of the Registrar-General for the week ending Saturday last (13th March) shows that iu twenty-eight of the largest towns in England and Wales, each containing 70,300 persons or more, and of which Cardiff is one of them, there were registered 6,195 births and 4,873 deaths. T is deaths corresponded to an annual rate of 23'0. The iates of mortality in tho I several towns, arranged in order from tho lowest, were as follows Briglitou 19'3 I Norwich 27*2 DeIby 19 9 JliaeUmrn 27"-i Tluh 21-0 London 28'7 Leicester 21"7 I Portsmouth. 28-7 Birkenhead 23"0 Huuderstield 294 Oldham 23*2 I Sunderland. 29'9 vyolverhaarpton 25'5 Preston 30'4 Nottingham 2i\i Cardiff 30 6 Bradford 24*7 Bolton S3 i 2S"2 Liverpool 33*3 2.5-2 Liverpool 33*3 pistol 25-3 saltord 34-3 .Ualifar. 21'3 Plyitouth 36 4 Birmingham Mw.cheaUst frl Newcastle on Tyne 25 6 I io the principal zymotics 430 deaths were referred in the towns, equal to a rate of 2 5, the tovas with the highest being Blackburn, 6'8; 1 lymouth, 6'1; Bojton, 5"5 and thosa with the lowest—lludderslield, 0 0 Leicester, 0-4 I 0-7. The highest death-rates per 1,000 from scarlet fever was 1'8, in Salford and from measles—Blackburn, 5'9 Plymouth, 5'4. In the borough of Cardiff the number of births registered last week was 80, as compared with 73 and 89 in the two preceding weeks. These 80 births corresponded to an annual rate of 41'4 per 1,000 of the population, estimated to be in the middle of this year 100,736. The highest total is 107, and the "least was 76. There was a further increa.se in the mortality in the last I week, for the 59 deaths were 7 more than the 52 in the previous week. It was the greatest total in this year, and the least was the 40 in the nl'&t wook. The 59 dea,ths corresponded to an annual rate of 30'6 per 1000, and it was 2'6 above that of I the 50 great towns in England and Wales. There were bui, 5 oi them with a grer.ter oi:e. The lowest rate was supplied by Brighton with 19"3, and the greatest by Msjnchesterwith 35"7. Bristol again fared letter than Cardiff, for its rate was 25'3, being 5*3 less. The principal I iymotics were fatal in 4 cases, and were equal to I a rate of 2'1. They included one each of scarlet fever, diphtheria, whooping coue;h,and fever. The 59 deaths incluOftd 35 maies and 24 females; and of the total 12 ui them were those of infants I under one y^r. and 15 referred to adults who bad attained 60 y^ars and upwards. There was not one death due to violew^ and only one inquest was bald, but 9 persons "<> in the public insti- fcutut: -«-

i rta-nrtio, Ladders for builders, painters, plasterer*, 'irrncra, srir*i* nsr, Ac., all sizes, a CotUall'a tUaetefltorr, Burs-sti>.«t ad" I

I A DISABLED STEAMER. RESCUE BY A CARDIFF SHI The Dutch steamer Maasmoou 7.:üf Rotterdam, bound to Spain, was towed into Penzar.ce on Sunday by the steamer Bilbao, of Cardiff, bound from Bilbao to Glasgow with iron ore. On Friday last, when about 80 miles SS. W. of Point Penmarche, off the French soast, the Bilbao sighted the Maasrnond Z, whici was flying signals of distress. The Bilbao imme lately bore down on her, and was hailed by the c iptam of the Dutch steamer, who begged to be to-ved h any port, his vessel's machinery having broken down. At the time a strong wind and se:- pre- vailed, and it was a work of considerable aim- culty to pass a hawser. Whilst the iutao nr.'v were getting up their hawser, tne lmsier of sue Maasrnond Z, steered his steamer up under the quarter of tho Bilbao's, the result ben that the latter was struck on the sta^oar^ q fining damage to a pl»fca and dua After some delay, the hawser wa £ ™ade fa. t and towing commenced, bi on Saturday morning the hawser parted ar.d was again passed by the aid m a steamer' boat. Aboutg noon on Saturday the sea was so eavy that the master of the Bilbao deemed the tc r rope too short for safety, and he sent his chie; ,tficer and tbe boat's crew to connect the Uw-^r -{ the Dutch steamer with that of the Bilbao. U Vvas successfully accomplished, and towing wilS re. sumed at two p.m., both steamers arriv ag off Penzance at 8.30 on Sunday morning. The Maasmoud Z then proceeded into the Fi tting whilst tho Bilbao resumed her voyage

THE CAMBRIAN SOCIETY. A ART WORK IN WALES. In connection with the spring session th bers and friends of the Cambrian Society of Sou Wales and Monmouthshire met in the Tuwn-&* '• Cardiff, on Tuesday afternoon, to hear a paper0 "Art Work ui Wales, Past and Present," c02 tributed by Mr T. H. Thomas, R.C.A., Card'* The chair was taken by Mr Peter Price, au'l J the appointed hour a re company assetnbW"' including several ian?r The CHAIRMAN br-er iiioducsd the !ectoc<rj remarking that from they Mr Thomas they a very pleastf* and instructive pape-r him.. « Mr T. H. THOMA; was cordially recmV t "n r¡8in, pretaced L' :marks by saying tba although ius paper w.is entitled "Art in Wales, Past and Present, yet it did not fu'ii its nam. In order to properly deal with such* subject he should commence in pre-historic and jot down notes of early Celtic monument Roman architecture, mediaeval stia.tures, a." carvings. For this, however, be had not so he would confine himself to tae century. He purposed to begin wi ii one of tb^ best tnowu artists to whom South Wales given birth during the century-he referred to Penry Williams, who was born in the neighbor ing town of Merthyr Tydfil. Lord Aberdare,10 his address to the eisteddfod last August, spoW somewhat fully of him. About that period tb* new arrived of his death, and his lordship st»W that there were documents in existence which coO* tamed the impressions of the artist, and which, af he knew he should die in a foreign Lmol, be wsf anxious should be left to his Welsh friends. It was to be hoped that their contents would soil18 day see the light, as they could not fail to interesting owing tL) the artist's long- acquaintance with famous persons and events. Like this artist John Gibson, R.A., the celebrated sculptor, hardly typical of his subject, as both artists not work in Wales, but abroad. Still 'oe woula like to see some good specimens of their work tile possession of local institutions. Mr Brig" stocke, a native of Carmarthen, was anutbo* artist worthy of mention as was Mr JO[uJ. Deffet Francis, of Swansea, whose works wet seen to ndvantrga in the 1832 eisteddfod heid a Cardiff. This gentleman had aiso form1 an important collection of engravings an drawings, together with books upon Mr Harris, of Swausea, Mr H. Dyke Pearce, of Merthyr and Mr James f, Mullock, of Newport, --ver noted for their pf°" dactions of local scenes and character types. A' Llanelly there was Mr Mansei Lewis, an artist of great power, celebrated for many notable worK* Art soidents, both amateur and proie.seion* were deeply indebted to the many volumes written upon the subject by Mr J. B. Lee, F.S.A., and illustrated by himself. out the town of Cardiff taey would find that artistic skill had flourished in no inconsiderable manner, and in many poor dwellings he had no doubt they might, discover numbers of paintinfC and drawings which, though execrable in exeO*|* t on, were yet invaluable through the light which they threw upon antiquarian or hlstorrCIiI research. In the architectural branch of arG they had several names of especial merit. Mr Pritcbard, who. designs had giv-jj them the beautiful .ruoture of Cathedral, and the late Mr Burges, R.A., who38 graceful skill was shown in the almost over- gorgeous decorations of Cardiff Castle. Amofltf others who had helped to build their city SI) rapidly and well was Mr Harris, whose work W*3 to be seea at Penarth well as Cardiff. Othef names famous in this ar; were those of Thiessr! Robinson, Seward, Frame, .Jones, Bruton, their esteemed chairman. So far he had said nothing of sculpture, that noble and selective 3d for which the Welsh seemed to have a particullit inclination. Mr Matthew Arnold pointed out that they bad as a nation the Celtic love for t imposing and large in art, and certain it was that there appeared to be mere Welshmen hewers of marble and moulders of bronze thaJI painters on canvass. Joseph Edwards stood prominently forth here, as did WilliaD' and David Davies from Merthyr, and M'lo Griffith from Pembrokeshire. In regard to the art of painting, the work now undertaken bY professional artists was chiefly performed in NortO Wales and of these the greater nu-nber were members of the Royal CallJbrian At;éi.UBmy, tbe principal exceptions being the highly poetic work* in oil, water colours, and mezzo-tint, by Joseph Knight of Bettws, Ellis and Julian Hare. Amoctf famous members of the society were its president H. Clare Whaite, J. D. Watson, Charles Potter* George Harrison, and Meacham. A number of notable Welsh artists who worked away from principality were Charles Jones, B. S. Marks, and Graham Clarke, of Rhayader. Regarding the general progress of high art in Wales, Colonel Cornwallis West recently gave sotne interesting statistics bearing upon the departmental branches for the encouragement of science and art established by Government aid. There were five schools with 442 pupils, and of I art classes in other sellouts there wera eight wit'1* 218 pupils, thus making a grand total of 700 students receiving instruction more or less dis- tinctly artistic. Thia number was doubtless increasing, and this showed an awakening itl- terest in art education. More or less connected with Cardiff school, which far and away headed the depariiiK.ntal list, had been several youths of promise, and ha might mention Mr John, who had taken the medal of the Royal Academy in sculpture, and Mr Thomas, whose excLJilent work obtained the Eisteddfodic medal and tha geuerous aid of Lord Bute and AL '.n, Tad^ma- Among the influences at work reckoned the Eisteddfod, v. h from rtg peripatetic nature, was planting tne seeds of art among the population. The Royal Cambrian Society-worked both individually and collectively* and, in conclusion, he would commend the task most heartily to their The paper throughout was listened to with attentive appreciation, and the points of the lecturer were frequently a oplau led. At its conclusion several geatl'unej, including Messrs Seward, J. Harris, Rev 1. Jones (iJt Newport)* Mr Tudor Evans, Dr Treharne, Mr Pi.ce, and Mr H. J. Evans entered into an animated dis- cussion upon the questions raided by the lecturer. Several suggestions were made, among other;, the desirability of encouraging local art by grant* for extended si o-Jies, the meeting closed with unanimous, votes thanks to the lecturer and chairman.

) TRBWV—Morrvtk s Patent Suap«a«t»*i oo gf»n UR8 BO bar J pvis wiiiU i-mawij, post iree. — l-.ee»U, r,h*rju.si, Ctlfw., iirvw M.1U iooTHACHR WOOL, 5d. the acr»e. Of cbenuHts. r«d lro« sUmas Sole B. Henfl, QWM* CWka uiyf J

ALARMING FIRE AT SPILLEU'S MILLS, CARDIFF. A fire which occasioned a large amount of ex- citement occurred at Cardiff on Tuesday evening. Shortly after six o'clock some of tbe employes at Spider's mills observed Sames proceeding from the roof of a. seven-storeyed building connected with the mills called the Smutter bouse," and they at oncave an alarm. Messengers were immediately despatched to the central lire brigade station, Westgate-street, and to the Bute Dock police-station, and in an exceedin ,iy short time a steam fire engine from the former place, quickly fellovved by the Bute Dock water boat and the dock hydrant, was on the spot. In the meantime the private fire brigade of tha firm had set to work with their appliances with a vie '• of holding the conflagration in check. On the arrival of the steamer from the central station a vast volume of flame and smoke was ascending from the roof of the burning building, and there appeared every likelihood that the mills were once more to be made the scene of a disastrous conli igrat.on. The mills are situated on the west side of the West Dock, and the dock itself being ouly a few yards distant, an unlimited supply uf water was, of course, t available. The fire, as before stated, originated inthe"smutter" or wheat cleaning house. This building, which is fireproof, was surmounted by a slight structure, called the "dust-room," the latter having a roof of corrugated iron. It was in the dust-room that the l" broke out. The next three storeys are termed wheat cleaning floors, and the floors beneath thesj contain a quantity of valuable machinery. The united resources of the firemen engaged enabled I them in a short space of time to greatly subdue the flames, and in about one hour from the time the alarm was given aH cause for anxiety was practically at an en With a view, however, of cooing with any emergency, a second "steamer" was brougir. fromthe Westgate- street Station, and r. stream of wa' 0 poured on to the of the building unto not the slightest vestige of fire was discernible. The damage occasioned was confined to the room, and while the whole of this is destroyed, the floors beiow are uninjured except of course by water. A few hundred pound5 would in all probability cover the monetary 1< occasioned, and this is covered by insurant In what way the fire originated is a rays' >• y. Tha dust room is a department complete:- isolated from the rest of the building, there an "fires anywhere in its vicinity, and no men id been engaged at work there during the day. ople connected with the establishment confess a.niselves unable to set up even a theory as to tho orobable cause. The mills have twice, within the last few years, been visited by outbreaks of lire, on both of which occasions very iarge amount of damage was sustained. It should be stated that the head-constable, Mr Hemingway, although unable, owing to a very severe cold, to accompany tha borough brigade to the scene of the conflagration, did all he could, by keeping himself in constant communication, to direct the efforts of the firemen.

ANOTHER ESPARTO GRASS FIRE AT CARDIFF. A fire of esparto grass, making a third within a period of five weeks, broke out on Sunday evening among a ;*argo, consisting of some 50 truck loads, standing on the Great Western Tyndall-street siding at Cardiff. The outbreak was discovered at 8.50, and at 9, Supt. O'Gorman of the Bute dock police, with a number of his men were on the spot with their reel. A hose was attached to a hydrant in Tyndall-street, and there being an excellent pressure, the brigade were enabled, with the exercise of extreme care, to prevent the flames from spreading. The hose had been in play a. minute or two, however, when a source of great danger was revealed in the close proximity of a truck load of vitriol, exactly parallel to tha hindermost of the three trucks of flaming grass. Superintendent O'Gorman at once proceeded to divide the cargo, semilog one half on another truck up the line, and placing the other portion as far distant as possible from the fire. Only a few minutes were occupied in this work, and by that time the borough fire brigade, under the com- mand of Inspector Taniblyn, had arrived with the steam engine. All fear of the flames extending Wd." removed, and the efforts of the tiremen were confined to raising the burning grass with pitchforks, in order to pour water into the recesses. Only, tin trucks and their con- tents were destroyed, so the damage is compara- tively small. Several Bute ofii ials were present, but the cargo being in tnmb it could not be ascertained who were the con s of the grass. Two policemen were told off to rd against any I possiblo incendiary attempt while the extinction of the fire was in progress. The origin of the fire is unknown.

UNEMPLOYED CARDIFF SEAMEN. LETTER FROM SIR E. J. REED, M.P. TO TH 1-; HDITOR. SIR,—Will you kindly give space for Sir E. J. Reed'a reply to the petitioa of seamen of Cardiff ? —I am, &c., E. T. LAISTER, Sec. 21, Broadway, Roath. Broadway Chambers, Westminster, "London, S.W.,10th March, 1886. "Dear Mr Laister,—I have had much pleasure in forwarding to the President of the Board of Trade, and in recommending to his most careful consideration, the petition of the seamen of Cardiff wlCn you havo forwarded to me. I have enclosed with the petition the resolutions passed 'by the meetings of seamen in Cardiff. be leave to express my warm sympathy with the unemployed seaman of the country, and especially with those of Cardiff, and trust that no effort will be spared either by themselves or by others to secure for them that preference uf employment in British ships which it is but reasonable and natural for them to expect — Yours truly, E, J. REED."

THE RECENT EXPLOSION AT CARDIFF. AID FOR THE BEREAVED. Oa Saturday evening a meeting was held at the Royal Hotel, Cas diff, in support of a movement already inaugurated to raise a, sum of money fur the relatives of the men killed by the recent boiler explosion at the Docks. Mr W. Gibbs, who was voted to the chair, said Mr Cory was the first to suggest that a fund should be raised. Already several of the coal merchants and brokers had been vis-ted, and promises had been obtained of about £100, It was thought such a sum should be subscribed as would provide for the immediate necessities of the bereave and also enable some/bing to be invested for the benefit of the children, He might mention that there were four widows, 16 children, and two aged mothers. The Mayor had given tive guinea to the fund.— Air H. Moreton suggested that a dramatis and miscellaneous entertainment should be given in tha town.—Captain Pomeroy said that ca the following day a collection would be inj de ou board the mission ship Thisbe.—It was agreed, on We motion of Mr T. Plain, that the ministers of the various churches be asked tc made collections, and it was further decided to give an enbrtain meut, Messrs More ton, Lock, Williams, aud Rowlands being entrusted with the arrangements for it.—Mr Hor3er, a member of the Cardiff Football Club, undertook to use his influence with that club for the purpose of getting foot- ball match or an entertainment in aid of the fund.—The meeting next resolved itself into a committee of management, with Mr Mo: ey as treasurer, and Mr G. G. Williams as secretary. The whole of th wreck of the Cardiff tug Rifle- man has now beiM removed from its position near the entrance to the West Dock. Subscript ons in aid of the widows and families of the victims of the explosion on board the ill-fated vessel ar being actively canvassed for at the docks, and, so far as can be ascertained, with a fair degree of success. In order that the appeal may not escape t to at- I tention of the general public, several tradesmen carrying Oil business in the vicinity of th- pier- bead have adopted the expedient of disp aying contribution lists iu their shop windows. I

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THEFT OF JEWELLERY AT PEN V It Til. On Mondav, at Pouarth Masses J. S. Corbeft, V. Trayes, ana F.W. G.G. Gore—Emily Masson and Alice Webber were charged by Carl Wain-ley, watchmaker and jeweller, the former with stealing witches and articles of jewellery to Uie value of £ 30, and also' a purse contain.ng £ 1. 2* 61. and tne latter with having received some the articles knowing them to na ve been stolen.—Carl Wehrley deposed he was a watchmaker and Jewe]ler, r'Jid ing at; 43, Windsor-road, Penarth. The defendant- Masson came into his employ as a servant girl about a month ago. For some con -idecablo tlma back he had missed things from the shop, Out had not suspected prisoner. Last Tuesday he found the safe had been broken open, and he then had the lock repaiied, but on the following morning he found it again broken opeii and missed some money. He then got suspicious of the prisoner, and sent for a oonstaoie, who ac- companied him and the prisoner to her room, where they searched her box and found everal articles belonging to Mrs Wehrley, whkh were not included in the charge. They then searched prisoner's bed, and between the bed and tho mattress they found watches and chains, silver bracelets, gold and silver rings, gold ear-rings, and silver lockets, a.nd sever *,i other articles (all pruduced). In the back kitchen, under » box, they found a purse containing £1 2s 6d, and two silver watches. The defendant pleaded guilty, a.nd the bench taking her age into sideration, s.vai they would deal ieniantly wil.b her, and her to three months' imprison- meut with haid labour. Weober was remanded for a week.

DEATH OF MR GEORGE BURNS, CARDIFF. We regret to have to announce the death of Mr George Burns, the well-known and popular lam.1- lord of the Griffin Hotel, St. Mary-streei* Cardiff. His death was comparatively sud- den. Mr Burns caught cold a few days ago, but not thought to be serine,ly ill until Friday last, wheu ha was unable to leave his bed. He was attended by Dr Wallace. On Tuesday he became worse, and at aalf-past ten that night he died, cause of being congestion of the lungs. Mr Burns was not oniy of the best known men in Cardiff, but one of the lIH;st esteemed. The news of his death will be receivad with profound regre, on all sides, and especially by the local sporting fraternity, maong whom he was ne»d m the highest regard. He first came to Cardiff as stud groom for tiie Tram- I ways Company when they commenced operations here some ten years ago. A couple ot v«,urs afte» he became landlord of t-3 Uorso -ltlld Gro -m in Wornanby-street, v/hich he left for the Old his death m ,llty-ee:- Ac Ula too# of f was tne proprietor of both the Old Ivoyai and tne Gr tfln. Mr Burn* h.v> loft widow and «eve».al c, Idren to mourn hi* W II* was only 4b ye;irs ot ase> widow and «eve».al c, Idren to mourn hi* W II* was only 4b ye;irs nt :1;e,

II A NEW TIMBER I'OND AT CARDIFF. I A. timber pond is in course of construction on 'anu oaiween the Glamorgan Canal and Dum. alls-road, Cardiff, The pond will be exleaaiva covering between seven and eight acres of ground, Th contract for thf; work, winch iu^ludaa I the making of a lock in the canal, has been placed in tbe hands of Mr J. Strachao, of Cardiff, and will be completed in J uua or July, This u. tension for the convenience of the litnbfr d. being effected at the instance of the Marqai* 01 Bute, who is the lessee of the c*a*L

FA1LURE OF A CARh!FF A ND S W A NSEA TP A DE*M AN. A receiving order has c< en <f18 ø estate Walfer of 1'¡; i';0-,trsn Swansea and Great WeeVein-bu,Jdjags CaniifF* genera d sler. The first will be b !1,: at the office of che offici- recoiTrtr, Swansi-i. on the 27tb of this nijuth*. »rhu»' public examination of the debtoi u t» uka j oo the 24th inat.