The Cardiff Times

South Wales Coal Trade. SLIDING SCALE AUDIT, Another Reduction. The resulb of the Sliding Scale audit as de. elared at Cardiff on Saturday is that workmen will soffer another reduction of 1% per cent, in wages as and from the 1st October last. The Joint Committee met at the Engineers' Institute on Saturday. Sir Wm. Thomas Lewis, Bart., was unavoidably absent, being detained in London. Mr W. Abraham, M.P. (Mabon) presided over the first part of the proceedings, while Mr D. Beynon occupied the vice-chair. Subsequently Mr Archibald Hood arrived and took the chair, and Mabon occupied the vice- chair. The following is the OFFICIAL RBPORT. A meeting of the Sliding Scale Joint Com- mittee was held at Cardiff on Saturday to receive the report of the joint accountants (Messrs T. C. Kirk and Charles E. Parsons) on their audit of the coalownera' books for the two months ended 31st August, 18%. As a ra. jult the wages payable to the workmen At the associated collieries shall be 10 per cent. above the standard of December, 1879, being a -zeduction of 1% per cent. as and from the 1st of October, 1896. tSieed)- FOR OWNZBS. FOR WOBKMBN. W*. T. LEWIS, W. ABRAHAM, ARCHIBALD HOOD, T. D. ISAAC, EDWARD JONES, DAVID BEYNON, EDWARD P. MARTIN, THOMAS RICHARDS, W. THOMAS, ALFRED ONIONS, 1. FOBSTKR BROWN, JOHN THOMAS, EDWARD DAVTKS, D. MORGAN, FRED. L. DAVIS, EVAN THOMAS, GRAEME OGILVIE, EVAN EVANS, JAMES WILLIAMS, CHAS. H. EDKN, W. GASCOYNE DALZIKL LaWIS MILKS (Secretary). (Secretary). THE COAL ALLIANCJC" SCHEME. The workmen's scheme for an alliance between the colliery owners and workmen, having for its object to secure such prices for South Wales and Monmouthshire coals as will guarantee reasonable profits to the owners and fair wages to the workmen," was referred to by Mr William Abraham. It transpired that a letter, signed by Mr Abraham and Mr Lewis Miles, had been sent to Mr Dalziel on the 17th of September, enclosing the draft scheme, which had also been distributed among the owners' representatives prior to this meeting. The subject, however. was noo now discussed in detail as the owners' representatives intimated that it would first be necessary to consult the general body of the Ooalowners' Association, and to take their views and instructions thereon. In response to an orgenb appeal from Mr Abraham and the work- men's representatives the owners' side promised to pall a general meeting of the members of the Coal- owners' Association for theearliest con venientdabe. Reference was made to the publication in the Press of the terms of the draft scheme prior to its being discussed by the Sliding Scale Joint Committee, and a general expression of regret was offered by both sides of the committee that the Press should have seen fit to publish the scheme, inasmuch as the copies were marked Private fond confidential," and that it was intended that the owners' representatives should first have the opportunity of considering the scheme. COLLIERY DISPUTES. The consideration of the dispute between the Ocean Coal Company and their hauliers at Treharris Colliery, which was to have beeu dis- cussed at this meeting, was deferred, as it was intimated that negotiations for a settlement are still pending between Mr Wm. Jenkins and the Workmen's Committee. The consideration of the dispute between Messrs the Blaenavon Company and their hauliers and day men was also deferred, as the parties are addeavouring to effect a settlement at home. The dispute between the Hill's Plymouth Company and their locomotive stokers was brought before the committee by mutual agree mend between the parties, but as according to the preamble to the Sliding Scale agreement en gin em en, stokers, and outside fitters are excluded from its operations, the owners' side elected to strictly adhere to the terms of the agreement, and declined to allow the diacussion to proceed. Mr Edward Jones and Mr Evan Thomas, who had been deputed by the Joint Committee to investigate the circumstances of the dispute between Messrs the Bargoed Coal Company and their workmen at Abernant Col. liery. reported to the committee that after several sittings they had now effected a settlement which was deemed satisfactory by both sides. AUDITS UP TO DATE. The subjoined table shows the effect of the various audits under the existing agreement and the dates upon which the alterations thus brought about became operative :— Percentage Date. REDUCTIONS. above standard. April 1, 1893 61f. 13% Jane 1,1893 3% 10 Jane 1,1894 2% Z7 Aug. 1, 1894 3% 23% Oct. 1,1894 1% 22% Bee. 1, 1894 IV. Z\\L Peb. 1,1895 .» W. 20 April 1, 1895 1 18% Jane 1,1895 W. Aug. 1, 1895 2% 15 Oct. 1, 1895 2 it 12V, Peb. 1,1896 l if. ,.w 11# Oct. 1,1896 1% 10 ADVANCES. Aug. 1, 1893 W. 11V4 Oct. 1, 1893 i i?. 12 Dec. 1, 1893 7% 20 P«b. 1, 1894 6V« 26V4 April 1,1894 3% 30 NO CHANGE. Dee. 1,18% .No change on- 12% preceding audit. Jane 1,1896 .No change on. 11% preceding audit. Aug. 1,1896 .No change on. 11% preceding andit. MR DAVID MORGAN'S POSITION. The following letter from Mr David Morgan, miners' agent, was read ab the meeting of the workmen's representatives on the Sliding Scale Committee on Saturday :— Aberdare, October 1st, 1896. My Dear Miles, —I have your circular calling me to take part in the business of the Sliding Scale next Saturday, for which I am extremely thankful to the committee and yourself, but I must inform you and the committee that I cannot rake part and sit on the committee until everything has been put right. The constituency is now about taking a ballot on the advisability of putting my position right, but l;don't. know what may be the result, and I shall not 'have any result till the latter part of next week. i am very sorry to think that the men are very in- different in this test again. Please read this letter to the committee and inform them again that I am thankful for their good,feeling towards me. I intend being there on the Plymouth stokers' dispute as an agent only, and will not sit on either the workmen's Of the joint committee.—I am, yours obediently, D. Morgan.

Coal Alliance. THE SCHEME DESCRIBED. The Workmen's Point of View. Unskilled Labour Question. A correspondent, fully conversant with the Mquiremente of the colliers and qualified to fpeak on their behalf, writes The scheme, aa I understand it, is to be an attempt, by cooperation, to protect the joint interests of both employers and workmen. This is very clearly set forth in clause 2 of the agree- ment, vis., And both profits and wages shall always be so regulated as to ensure only fair and reasonable prices for coals, so that the South Wales and Monmouthshire trade may not be endangered by outside British or foreign compe- tition. This clause is surely neither crude nor Impracticable, and goes a long way to prove that what the workmen's representatives desire is to have an alliance which will be of a permanent eharacter, and which, while giving fair wages and profits, will not do so at the expense of losing ibe trade. A minimum wage could be secured outside of any alliance if the men so desired, as has been done in the Midlands, where by power of their Union they have forced and maintained a 30 per oent. minimum upon their 1888 standard. South Wales workmen cou I d do the same and by power af uaio n foroe a 30 per cent. minimum upon their 1879 standard. But instead of using force to do it, the South Wales men are endeavouring through this alliance to not only get a minimum wage for themselves, but also that the people who risk their money in mines shall have a fair return upon the capital they lay out. They therefore, recognising that the owners, left to themselves, cannot dn that, are offenng the co- operation of the workmen to help them *.y getting such prices for Sooth Wales coals as vil return fair wages and protita to the people "lib lake all the risk in the production. lilhis ininimum wage can only be of a permanent character while the employers can pay it without injuring their own interest. But if they refuse an offer of alliance made by tjr" men, they will have no souse of complaMoe if the same method fob patting living wages abould be put into operation in Wales as is h* the Midlands, for the iJDen are determined to Av-D a higher minimum than the 1879 standard • %jtd whether it be got paggfeably and without ibuCnvenienoe it IS for the owners themselves to say. There is a way by which it Van be done and as it is left for the owners to ADOPT, AMEND, OB REJECT THE SCHEME, IStlr responsibility is very great; and it wooM be well if thry realised that they Will Oft be eitified in rejecting the workmen's seheme as ing impracticable unless tbey, with their greater knowledge of the commercial side of the industry, produce a better one. That the scheme would be ociliulaod goes without saying bat that the scheme should be I .lwtimse. with a view of making it better and Mt with the intention of smashing it altogether only what can be ex pouted as a oatMoi .IWtinQ between eaajyioywa aort madam* THE UNBJDLIJID IIBN. Another point in the scheme is that dealing with unskilled workmen. I presume the intention is so far as possible to prevent any more men being brought into the mines unless it is under Clause 39 in the Coal Mines Regulation Act, which states that a man should have two years' experience before he can be recognised as a skilled workman, and before he would be allowed to work alone at the coal face. This is an extremely important question, and one affecting both parties. I believe many workmen have been sent to an untimely grave owing to accidents caused by unskilled men, so that from the standpoint of safety alone this principle is a very important one. But in addition to this, the presence of unskilled men affects largely the cost of production at the collieries, especially under the contract system, which is in operation at some collieries in the coalfield. As is well known it is large screened coal that is required, and the smaller the percentage of small coal gotten the better. How can an unskilled work- man produce coal with the lowest amount of em" coal ? Whatever may be said to the conttP"$ coal-getting, in its proper sense, requires a good deal of skill, and the skilled man can always by careful dressing get his coal with a much lower percentage of small than the man who does not understand how to dress coal, for if it does not come with a bottom mandril he will smash it all to pieces with the wedge and sledge, instead of dressing it properly the same as the skilled mQ £ does. This is a fact admitted by everyone wdl understands anything at all about the practical pari of mining. Why, then, I ask, with all these disadvantages attached to it, will managers employ unskilled men, without thought or reason, as they do! The alliance, through the owners, are going to try to grapple with this hence the necessity of such a clause in the scheme. THE COST OP PRODUCTION. Clause 9, which deals with the computation of the cost of production, is also a very important clause and hemmed round with dIfficulties; still if the minimum wage is to be permanent this question is bonnd to be faced,for it is no use fixing a minimum wage unless the prices are advanced in proportion so as to cover the owners from any loss that would accrue upon the advanced wages being paid (assuming, of coarse, that the prices realised at the present time will not allow them to do so). And by taking the average cost over three years it would, unless in very exceptional instances, cover all the usnal costs that have to be met in a colliery. Of course the scheme of necessity, if adopted, will be a kind of experi- ment. Still it is much better to give the experiment a chance to prove successful than it is to start with almost certain failure before it. And as each failure makes it more difficult to get interested parties to try again the difficulties which are known to be in front shoald.be faced before starting and not at the end. DOURLE SHUTF Clause 11, which deals with the doable shift question, admits the right of working double shift in cases of emergency. I apprehend no opposition to that clause. Therefore, reviewing the scheme as it stands, one must conclude that it is not so crude or impracticable as some people would like to have us believe and as both owners and men now recognise the evil results of under-selling, it is their duty to grapple with it in no carping spirit, and the position the men should take up is this: Here is our scheme for dealing with under-selling. If you cannot accept it, give us a better one from your side, and we will support it, as it is a matter of indifference to us whose or what scheme is put into operation so long as it gives the workmen living wages and makes the industry remunerative to all parties concerned. Mr D. A. Thomas's Scheme. Mr D. A. Thomas. M.P., has completed the draft of his scheme to prevent undue competition and under-selling in the South Wales coal trade, and copies are now in circulation among a few of those mainly interested. As soon as a list of addresses can be completed copies will be for- warded to a much wider circle. The scheme is backed up with an enormous mass of statistical information of great value. The original in- tention of Mr Thomas was to issue the scheme and the statistical information in the form of a substantial pamphlet, but the collection and arrangement of the latter has taken up more time than was anticipated. Therefore, in conse- quence of the near approach of the time when some of the largest coal contracts of the year have to be made, Mr Thomas has thought it advisable to issue the scheme at once. The scheme and the statistical information will be published as soon as possible. A lengthy letter of explanation accompanies the scheme. Whilst it would be premature to disclose any details, we understand that Mr Thomas is gratified with the reception accorded his proposals thus far, several larga colliery exporters having already expressed their readiness to assist in carrying them into effect).

CONFERENCE OF COLLIERY WORKERS. The annual oonference of the Amalgamated Society of Colliery Workers of the South Wales Coalfield was held in the Black Lion Hotel, Cardiff, on Monday. Mr Wm. Brace presided over a representation of between 10,000 and 11,000 workmen in the Neath, Clydach Vale. and Mid Rhondda districts and of the Monmouthshire and South Wales association; and amongst the members of the Executive present were (in addition to the chairman) Messrs Isaac Evans. Ben Davï., P. D. Rees, Noah Rees, and John Williams, secretary. News- paper reporters were nob admitted; bat we have been officially informed that Messrs R. Llewellyn, Morfa Colliery, Aberavon, and Bosher, Cilfynydd, were appointed tellers and Credentials Committee. The oonference firsb discussed certain alterations of the rales, and it was decided, amongst other things, to delete Rule 1 on page 4 and substitute the following :—" That each Miners' Association con- nected with this society be allowed full power to control and fix the amount of its own monthly contributions, but all contributions to be made payable outside the colliery offices." It was also agreed that in Rule 2 the word monthly be struck out and quarterly inserted that the last line of Rule 2 be deleted and 21st day of Janosry, April, July, and October respectively be inserted; that thefollowingbe appended to Rnle 3 And no member shall be supported from the funds of this society who has not been a bona-tide member of this and of his own association for a period of 13 weeks previous to the dispute arising." And that with regard to Rule 5, "2,000 be struck out and 1,000" inserted, and that the following be added Or fractional part thereof. The president to be elected in rota- tion from its respective associations." THE WAGE QUESTION. Discussion of the following resolution from the South Wales Western Association of Miners was postponed until the ensuing half-yearly meeting, which will be held in January nextM That inasmuch as so many futile attempts have been made to improve the position of the miners of South Wales and Monmouthshire re the wage question, we are fully convinced that the only practical way of securing a higher standard wage rate is to affiliate with the Miners' Federation of Great Bri tain, and we therefore propose that all colliwies connected with the Amalgamated should do so at once." The meeting, however, took op the wage question as it affected the South Wales and Monmouthshire miners and after the delegates had exchanged views the following resolution was adopted :—" This conference recommends that the Amalgamated Council should watch the proceedings re the wage question, aad also re the underselling scheme now introduced and submitted to the employers by the Sliding Scale Committee, and if those proceedings will not be satisfactory that the said Council be empowered to convene a general conference of the whole of the workmen in South Wales to consider the wage question in general." vmos. The meeting also took into consideration a proposition by the South Wales and Monmouth- shire Association of Miners to tbe effeot that steps be taken by the Amalgamated Society to get every workman employed at the collieries connected therewith to become members of the Union lodges, and that steps be taken to test the workmen at each oolliery as to whether they were in favour of union or not. The result of their deliberations on this subject was that the following resolution was passed :—" That this conference strongly recommends all those collieries now connected with the Amalgamated Societys however weak their respective lodges may be, to convene meettajrs for tbe purpose of farthering the principles of Trade Unionism among their own workmen, and that the Executive Council of the Amalgamated Society should arrange for speakers and defray tbe expenses thereof on of the central fund." BUKznoff or OITICEBS. It was resolved that the South Wales Western Association of Miners eleot the president of the Amalgamated Society for the ensuing year. Mr Brace was elected treasurer, and Mr J. Williams, Ynysybwl, secretary the following being chosen members of councilMessrs W. B. Morgan, Rhos Ben Davies. Skewen J. Gardener, Abertillery Ben Davies, Pfcntre N. Rees, Tonypandy and P. D. Rees, Aberaman, BWLTA STRUCK. The meeting pledged itself to do its utmost to forward the men on strike pecuniary support. THE BBYNCOCH jecpMaica. A resolution of sympathy with the sufferers from the Bryncoch explosion, in Angust last, was passed, and it was also agreud to render pecuniary aid forthwith to them. The conference then adjourned.

CONFERENCE OF COLLIERS AT MERTHYlt. A representative conference of the Dowlais, Plymouth, and Cyfarthfa Collieries was held at the New Inn, Ft-«iyd». ren, on Monday, with speoial reference to the qtreMtrn of supporting or not the Sliding Scale. Councillor Thomas Thomas was in the chair, and Mr John Evana officiated as The following resolution was passed l>at in the opinion of this conference tt is unnecessary to have a general ballot at the different collieries, there being no grow d or to justify us in proceeding with such a coarse, hot that we call our friends in the Aberdare Valley to rally round Messrs David Morgan and John Davies. Farther, we are cf opinio* that at the present Juncture we should not take any .œpø that may have a tendency 10 ados "Ir in any way do anything to wmknn the baluttd. oar repMaenta- tives on the SMhtg Scale Itnnmittee, and being that 2 £ essrs Morgan and Davies ace members of 1.0. 3 Division, that we are a part^rf the saic. division, we S*jl that we are in calling upon them to take their seat* .a- fib. ,,¡. I

Tinplate Trade. j DEMAND FOR THE 1874 LIST. 57 Notices Posted to Employers. GENERAL STRIKE IMPROBABLE, By the time this ia read the much-talked-about round robins of the tinplate workers will be at the offices of the various tinplate works. At the close of last week there was much speculation as to whether they would be presented at all. Bat apparently those who had the business in hand knew what they were about, and the result will show that the tinplate workers have practically secured unity of action to an extent that will astonish the employer best acquainted with their ways. These round robins, or notices, had to be signed at the various works by each individual workman, a matter ot no small difficulty r7ben it is considered that so many thousands of men are affected. These notices after being signed were, it appears, returned to the Union offices at Swansea. It will be remembered that a Union council or delegate meeting was held a fortnight ago which ordered their presentation on October 5bh. On Saturday 57 notices were despatched from Swansea in registered letters addressed to the managers of the various works. These, we find, affected the tinhouse men and millmen of 249 mills out of 310 mills now at work. Of the 61 mills left the men of 14 mills are bound by contract to the end of December. Of the 47 mills remaining there are good grounds for the statement that the men at 15 of them will get the list in November, So that apparently there are only 32 mills not controlled up to now as regards the list, and of these a number of the men employed are on weekly and daily contracts, and they may tender their notices before the end of the month. The Morfa workmen are the only men in Llanelly whose notice have not been sent in, a two months' notice having been presented ab Old Lodge and Western Works. The following circular has been sent by the executive of the Union to the workmen in the tinplate trade Swansea, Oct. 2nd, 1896. Fellow Workmen,—The notices signed by you and forwarded to the Union Offices have this day (Oct. 3rd, 1896) been sent to the employers and managers of your respective works, so that on, after, and during the ensuing 28 days you will be working out the said notices. We caution and appeal to you, in your own interests, not in any way, by word or act, to compromise-, or annul the same by accepting any conditions other than the "1874 amended list." If you do so yours will be the disgraoe, but the loss will be conjointly yours and those whose unfortunate lot it will be to work in the tinplate trade. (Signed), THOMAS PHILLIPS, General Secretary. J. H. JOHN, Editor, Industrial Worli, T. BENJAMIN, Organising Agent. W. WALKEB, H. DAVIES, JONATHAN JONES, IVOB GWYNNE, JONATHAN JONES, G. FREEMAN, Execntive Members, W. HUGHES, >- IVOR GWYNNE, R. VAN STONE, j BY A SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT. To-day West Wales is on tip-toe watching whether the 15,000 men engaged in the tinplate trade will, in furtherance of their demand to be paid according to the list of 74, present their employers with a general notice to cease work a month hence. The keen interest felt in the matter is fully justified, for the presentation of notices is an ultimatum which has often been followed by an industrial war, affecting not the combatants alone, but the interests of the whole community. In addition to this the condition of the tinpiate trade as affected by American tariffs has occupied so much space in the public mind that a large number of people who have no connection whatever with the trade watch it with considerable interest, whilst all are agreed that a trade so affected should certainly be ( conducted in a manner such as to avoid any loss through disputes between capital and labour. Unfortunately the history of the tinplate trade ever since the list of wages, according to which the men claim to be paid now, was forced upon them by their employers in 1874. has been one of constant struggle. Employers in some form or another wringing concessions, and the men sternly fighting to maintain the list. The men's leaders speak of this with bitterness, and say that before the passing of the McKinley Bill, and when the tinplate trade was a perfect Welsh monopoly, it cost the Union some 29,000 per annum to compel makers to observe their own contract—the wage list of 1874. As the result of depression reduction of wages of from 10 to 12% became general in 1894, In March, 1895, a similar movement to the present was set on foot, which resulted in tbe re-establish- ing of the lisb in July, 1895. But it was only maintained for a few months, and wages became re- duced again from 15 to 25 per cent. Every attempt to press the wages generally below 15 per cent. on the list failed, but the tinplate workers have not been satisfied with this state of things. The average earnings of the roller-tbe best paid man is said to be B2 to 22 5s per week. Taking the general earnings to be 42. it will be seen that 15 per cent. off leaves a man with £114s per week and the contention of the men is that £1 148 per week does not enable them to main- tain themselves as should be, whose labour so destroys their physical power that they cannot follow their employment after they get to some 45 years of age. This view of the situation from tbe workmen s standpoint will give our readers a key with which they will understand where and how the present movement of the tinplate workers derives its strength. The tinplaters have never ceased to hope for the re-establishment of the list; but it is found that the present movement was initiated at a council held at Swansea three months ago, when the delegates thereat declared in favour of an effort to recover the list by united action." Foreseeing what was coming, I made inquiries among employers as to the possibility of a joint meeting of employers and workmen to adjust differences. Employers, in reply to questions, frankly admitted that the jealousy among them of each other was so great that it was hopeless. Inquiry among the men elicited the statement that they had time after time vainly asked employers to meet and arrange matters, and the following resolution, Dassed at a council of the workmen held on September 17tb, 1892, one of many passed at delegate meetings, was submitted as proof of the assertion ■ The council of the Tinplate Workers' Union, assem bled at Swansea, view with regret and anxiety the present depression in the tinplate trade. It observes that the American Legislature, with the object of establishing tinplate works in the United States, impose a tariff on tinplates almost equal to the price of plates in Wales, thereby dislocating business and checking consumption. Tinplate workers, through their delegates at the council, place on record their readiness to do all in their power to maintain the tin- plate industry in the land where natural advantages abound to produce cheap plates also instruct their Executive to confer with tinplate makers as to the best means to maintain the prosperity of the tinplate trade in Wales. Employers as a rule ignored such resolutions, or curtly intimated that they were of opinion that no good would come of such meeting." The result of this has been that the workers believe that the only way to deal with employers is by a display of power. But there is reason to believe there would be perfect readiness on the part of the men *o-day to meet the masters to arrange a time as to when the list should come in form One or two makers have given the public the benefit of this opinion. From these it may be gathered that the list under present circum- stances cannot be possibly paid, that if it is paid trade will be irretrievably injured. There is good reason for believing that these opinions are held by but a few. Makers' interests are much more dependent upon a uniformity of wage rate than a lowwagerate, and uniformity has never been more nearly secured than it will be if the men succeed in their present efforts. As to inability to pay the list the men's argument is something as follows they say the result of the advance of tin bars, say by 9d per box, has been made good to them by 9d per box on the price of tinplates, and they, therefore, contend that if masters have to pay 3d per box more for labour they can get that back on the price of tinplates in the same way. Employers, again, advanced the argument that they have now only the American business on which 99 per cent, of tariff is given back as rebate. If there is any. thing in this contention the makers have 5s per box advantage on American plates. So it cannot be contended that they cannot pay their men 3d per box to make their wage rate fair without injuring their business, As to tbe question whether there will be a strike or not. the public can rest assured there will be no general strike. A number of employers have hinted to their men already that they are going to pay the list, and a very general impression among makers is that the men will get it, but that they will be unable to retain it. However. much win depend upon the solidity of the men. If the men stand firmly together, stocks are low, plates must be got, and naturally the price of plates would respond to tbe price of labour as it did to the price af steel, and no maker will keep his works idle under Buoh conditions. So tbe outlook is not as bad as some would have us believe. There is one factor that will certainly tend to make the tinplaters stand firmly together, the labour cost of the tin bar has almost as muoh to do with the oost of the box as the labour cost of manufacturing the tinplate. Tinplate makers do not say that the list of 1874 gives too high a wage rate to tinplate workera. but they are not back- ward in saying that the ages of steel workers is extravagant. However w*t may be. the tin-bar steel workers on Saturday last obtained a general advance of 10 per cent6 on wages. Naturally, the tinpivae worker contends in view of this, as well as upon other grounds, that it is only fair and reasonable that he be now paid according to the list of 1874. Tinplate makers had not realised up to Satur- day that there was such power in the movement, and the presentation of 57 notices on the same morning is such a demonstration of unity all the oldest of them does not remember before. That at some plaoee some men may be weak is possible, but no wise employer would seek to take any advantage of that, as be would know that it would be useless, even with the men's assistance, to try to carry on work without effecting an arrangement. Employers are well acquainted with what behinders have done in the past, and they most know that with the Union behind them the behinders would control the situation at any weak point. These considerations lead to the belief that, as in the case of the sfceelworkera, the list will be paid without much ado. The makers who stand to lose are those who may have booked heavily forward. However, if they could only agree among themselves, there is reason to .1rLÕr. them in conference to arrange a time when the list should come into force. GENERAL ADVANCE OF STEEL. WORKERS' WAGES. A month ago the steelworkers engaged in tin bar manufacture in South Wales presented a general notice demanding an advance of wages of 10 per cent. This notice terminated on Saturday. At the various works deputations had interviews with employers, with the result that the demand of the men has been acceded to at all points. This cannot but have a great bearing upon the movement initiated by tinplate workers to get paid on the list of '74. BIG MILL DISPUTE AT SOUTH WALES WORKS. A SATISFACTORY SETTLEMENT MADE. A dispute arose at the South Wales Works, Llanelly, in connection with the payment of millmen for large sheets. On Saturday Mr T. Phillips, the general secretary of the Tinplaters' Union, had an interview with Mr Bond, with the result that the roller and other millmen in proportion get an advance of some 18 7d per day. This has given the men the greatest satisfaction. It may be noted that this is the first time for many years for a Union official to carry on negotiations on behalf of South Wales Works miUmen. THE PURCHASE OF THE TREFOREST TIN WORKS. We learn that the Treforest Tinplate Works, formerly the property of Messrs Hammond and Co., have been finally transferred to the pro- prietors of the Pentyrch Works, and that operations will be resumed at an early date. The closing of the works for a period of about four months has caused much poverty to prevail in the district, and the prospect of a speedy restart has given much satisfaction to the old workmen and their families. STOPPAGE OF AMERICAN TINPLATE WORKS. A New York correspondent telegraphs The tinplate works at Gas City, Indiana, which are the largest west of the Alleghanies, have stopped owing to the general stagnation of business.

DEATH OF MR TUDOR EVANS, CARDIFF. Well-known Welsh Journalist. The announcement of the death of Mr D. Tudor Evans, of Cardiff, one of the oldest journalists in Wales, will be received with sincere and wide- spread regret, and all the more so in that the sad event was quite unexpected. Even as recently as Thursday last, Mr Evans was about as usual. and to aU appearance was in the enjoyment of the best of health, It appears, however, that he had complained occasionally of ill-health since last May, and was under treatment by Drs. Price and Pritchard for chronic indigestion. In July this became acute, and eventually developed into bronchitis. On Friday last, pneumonia set in and his condition became so serious that it was deemed necessary to summon his sons, the Rev. T. Taylor Evans, vicar of Holy Trinity, Bolton, Lancashire; and the Rev. George S. Tudor Evans, senior curate of Northwlob, Cheshire, but before they arrived death had intervened, Mr Evans passing peacefully away at 11.30 on Friday night, at his residence in Angus-street, Roath. He was 76 years of age, and leaves a widow, two sons, and a daughter. Mr D. Tudor Evans was well known, particu- larly throughout South Wales, as a versatile journalist, a keen and trenchant critic, and an enthusiastic lover of his country. Though a zealous Churchman, he came from an old Non- conformist stosk in Pembrokeshire, his father being the Rev. John Evans, a Welsh Congrega- tional minister, of Penygraig, while two of bis brothers—the Rev. Simon Evans, of Hebron, and the Rev. John Morgan Evans, of Ebenezer, Cardlft-are named among the ex-presidents of the Welsh Congregational Union. Mr Tudor Evans's connection with journalism dated back to 1847, when he established at Haverfordwest an English weekly newspaper called The Principality. Find- ing the circulation increasing and appealing to a larger section of the public, he removed its headquarters about 1848 to Cardiff, and there conducted it on undenominational and non-party lines. The old office was in High-street, on the site now occupied by the premises recently held by the late Mr John James, draper. Many of the leading men in the district contri. buted largely to its columns, among them being the late Mr John Batcbelor but financially the venture proved a failure, and the journal, much to the regret of many, ceased to exist about the year 1850. Possibly its collapse may have not been altogether unconnected with the fact that Mr D. Tudor Evans worked assiduously in support of Lord Lingen's Commis- sion on Welsh Education, which sat in 1847. and whose report was so grossly unjust to the Welsh people that even to this day the incident is known as Brad y Llyfrau Gleision (The Betrayal of the Blue Books). At any rate, the circulation of the Principality suffered severely in consequence, and the paper soon afterwards ceased to exist. Mr Evans, who in 1851 had married a daughter of Mr Thomas Taylor, a planter in Jamaica, removed shortly afterwards to Hirwain, and subsequently in 1860 to Llebtyrhys, From 1865 to 1868 he resided in London, but eame back to Merthyr, where be established himself as auctioneer and aocountant. Daring his residence in the Merthyr district he took a leeding part in public affairs, among other positions he oocupied being that of a poor law guardian and a commis- sioner for income tax. On three occasions he acoted as election agent to Lord Aberdare-tben Mr Bruce—in his electoral campaigns in Merthyr. He was also election agent for Sir Hussey Vivian on one occasion, and subsequently acted in a similar capacity for Sir John Dillwyn Llewelyn in South Glamorgan. In 1881 he re- moved to Cardiff and became closely identified with the Western Mail, with which he had beenoon- nected from its establishment, having previously been a frequent contributor to the Cardiff Times. When the NatIOnal Eisteddfod was held 10 Cardiff in 1883 Mr Tudor Evans acted as general secretary, aad it is to his efforts that is mainlydue the credit that the Cardiff Eisteddfod wasthe first to publish its transactions," an example which has since been largely followed. He was an ardent eisteddfodwr, and was inscribed on the roll of the bards and the Druids as "Ap Tudor. "In 1893 his servioes to literature in Wales were recognised by a grant of £100 from the Royal Bonnty Fund. Mr Evans was one of the first to move in the matter of providing a Welsh church in Cardiff, and the erection of Eglwys Dewi Sant in Howard- gardens, of which he was churchwarden, is generally attributed to his energetic efforts. On Wednesday the remains of the late Mr D" Tudor Evans, one of tbe oldest journalists of Wales, were interred in Cardiff Cemetery. The funeral was strictly private, but a num- ber of gentlemen assembled at the Cemetery, and doubtless bad it not been for the inclemency of the weather the attendance would have been much larger. The chief mourners were Mrs Evans, the widow the Rev. T. Taylor Evans, vicar of Holy Trinity, Bolton the Rev. G. S. Tudor Evans, senior curate of Northwioh (sons), and a married daughter. The Cardiff Corporation were represented by Alder- man David Jones (deputy mayor) and Alderman Thomas Rees, while others present were Mv George Padfield (chairman of the South Wales District of the Institute of Journalists), Mr W. Davies, acting editor of the Western Mail; Mr Gwilym Hughes, South Wales Daily News Mr T. H. Thomas, R.C.A., and Mr David James, Aberdare, an intimate friend of the deceased. Several wreaths were sent, among them being one by the proprietors of tbe Western Mail, bearing the words, In affectionate remembrance of Gwyliedydd." The funeral service was read by the Rev. A. E. Hyslop, of All Saints' Welsh Church, Cardiff, who was assisted by the Rev. G. A. Jones, vicar of St. Mary's, Cardiff. The arrangements were satisfactorily carried out by Messrs Stone Brothers.

SUICIDE AT CARDIFF. About U o'clock on Tuesday night P.O. Honey was called to the Penartb-road bridge, crossing the river Taff near the Havannah Industrial School, and was informed by two men named J. McCann and Thomas Young, of Dorset- street, Grangetown, that as they were crossing the bridge on their way home a few minutes previously they saw a man, apparently about 5ft. 4in. in height, who appeared to be of the working class, mount the parapet of the bridge and jump over. Tbey heard a splash and saw the body floating down the river. Efforts were made to recover it, bat as the tide was running out strongly at the time it is probable the body was IOOD canted away.

SERIOUS OMNIBUS ACCIDENT. On Saturday evening, in the central part of Sheffield, an omnibus, with four horses attached, was descending a steep street when the bones became unmanageable. After dragging the driver from bis seat they dashed into a hoarding. A girl named Henson, aged 15, was knocked down. kicked by fIbe horses, and so terribly mangled that she died a few honra later. A married woman, named Lea, sustained a fractured leg, and three little girls were hart bat not ■snaoely.

SHOCKING ACCIDENT. A shocking accident is reported to have occurred to a man named Thomas Bassett, 35, single, labourer, who had been working for Mr Edwin Price, butcher, Newnbam and Wern, It appears that he was on a riok of bay, of which he was cutting some with a large knife, when his foot slipped and be fell forward to the ground with the knife under him. The result was that his nose wan almost cut away, whUatJus cheek was also terribly lacerated.

THAT BOY AGAIN. An incident (says IIbeHull Daily Mail) occurred at Goole the other day, which is well worth recording. A boy, residing in Percy-street, Old Goole, had been sent on an errand by his mother, and amongst other articlee he had to purchase a box of Beecham's Pills, Instead of returning straight home the lad stayed playing on a raft in the Barge Dock, and whilst rocking to and fro be accidentally foil overboard. There were other yonfcbs with him at the time, but they ran away. A labourer, named John Grassby, employed at the gaeworka, apprehended that something was wrong, and ran to the side of the dock. All that be could see, however, was a box of Beecham's Pills floating on the top of the water, but direetly afterwards the bead of the lad appeared and the man saeoeeded in rescuing him. After this who atmU «%■ that the piUfl.. aw. no# worth a .h:

COLLIERS AT WORK. TIMBERINFCONTESTS. The novel competitions arranged by the Mining Section Committee of the Cardiff Exhibition attracted an enormous attend- ance on Saturday. The chief event was that which had to decide the timbering championship of Wales, for which there were no fewer than 156 pairs of contestants. The whole of tbe "beading work was done in the sports arena simultaneously by the various competitors, who had assiduously practised for the great event for some time past in their respective localities. The firing of a gun was the signal for the hundreds of competing colliers making a start, and thereafter for 30 minutes the scene presented was as inspiriting as it was novel. During the time immediately preceding the firsb competition the Monmouthshire Artillery Band enlivened the proceeding ovith a spirited selection of Welsh airs. Amory 08e present were Messrs D. A. Thomas, )i.P., W. Abraham, M.P. (Mabon), Ro Hooper, Dr. Evan Jones (Aberdare). William Gallo- way, Treharne Rees, Wm. Evans (New- E)rt), Thomas Griffiths (Cymf er), Dr. Ivor ewis, Mr Herbert Rirkhouse, Or. Taylor, and Dr. Lynn Thomas. It was a few minutes past 3 when the gun fired and the work begun. The scene that followed was one of the greatest interest, the spectators cheering heartily again and again. The proceedings were marred by one most unfortunate occurrence. Fred Bartlett, Bright-street, Cross Keys, Newport-Abercarn Colliery, was working so energetically that he missed the timber at which he was cutting, and the batcbet struck his boot, cutting his foot somewhat severely. The ambulance was soon in attendance, and tbe unfortunate man was carried from the field and removed to the Infirmary. By the time that the period allowed for the com- pletion of the work bad elapsed all the timbers were in position, and the judging commenced forthwith. While this was going on the rope splicing competition, for which there were about 50 squads entered, and the hand-boring and ambulance competitions were proceeded with. By 6.30 none of the judging was completed, and those present were summoned by a bell to the grand stand, where Mr Trehame Rees, as chairman of the mining section of the Exhibition, announced that it would be impossible to finish the judging that day. Referring to the absence of Sir William Thomas Lewis, Mr Rees said that he bad received a letter from Sir William expressing his great regret at being unable to attend, and consequently he, the speaker, had asked Mr Wm. Abraham. M.P. (Mabon) to distribute the prizes. —Mr Wm. Abraham, M.P., then explained that as it had been found impossible to complete the judging that day the judges would resume their work on Monday morning, and the results would be announced during the eisteddfod that is to be held at the Cardiff Exhibition on that day. He, the speaker, was glad to be able to state that the entries far exceeded anything anticipated, and he thought that the affair was unique, inasmuch as it far exceeded in point of entries anything pre. vioosly held in the Principality.

THE AWARDS. At the close of the fifrst day of the Eisteddfod at the Cardiff Exhibition on Monday the results of the great timbering and other competitions held on the Itprevious Saturday were announced as follows:— TIMBERING. The judges were Mr Thomas Griffiths, Porth; Mr Dan Evans, Llwynypia Mr D. Hannah, Ferndale; and Mr George Brooks, Risca. 1, John Griffiths, Llwynypia Colliery 2, Thomas Edwards, 68, Dumfries-street, Treorky; 3, W. T. Reea, 37, Tramway, Hirwain 4, John Stanford, 65, East-street, Pontypridd 5, Wm. Lewis, 10, Railway-terrace, Vochriw 6, Richard Evans, 23, Whitmore-terrace, Tredegar 7, Richard Jones, 16, James-terrace, Ynishir. ROPE SPLICING. The judges were Messrs Ed. Harris, Aberoarn Wm. Lewis, Merthyr Vale and David Thomas, Naval Collieries.—1, T. Lloyd. Lletty Sbeukin Colliery, near Aberdare; 2, David Jones, 3, Middle-row, Cwmpennar, Mountain Ash 3, J. Williams, North-terrace, Mardy ;4, David Lloyd. 41, Taldwyn-terrace, Troedyrhw; 4, Joseph Sweet, Railway Cottage, Hirwain; 5, John Williams, 3, Quarry.row, Duffryn, Merthyr. HAND-BORING IN REMNANT STONE. The judges were Mr Jacob Ray, Treharris Mr W. D. Wight, Pentre, and Mr D. Llewellyn Evans, Cardiff.-1, W. Tomlinson, 2, Brick-row, Pencoed 2, John Richards, 54, Llantrisant-road, Pontypridd 3, Rees Williams, Grove Villa, Resolven Wm. Price, 160. High-street, Black- wood Wm. Evans, 55, New-street, Ferndale 4, Thomas, Harris, High-sbreeb, Pontypool. AMBULANCE COMPETITION. The judges were Dr. Davies JoneR, Owm. aman Dr. Evan Jones, Aberdare Dr. J. Lynn Thomas. Cardiff; Dr. John Williams, Cardin Dr. Ivor Lewis, Porth.—1, John Davies, Cwm- twrch, Swansea Valley; John W. Morgan, Cwmllynfell, Swansea Valley and John Hughes, Cwmllynfell, Swansea Valley. 2, Thomas Handcocks, surface manager, Glen View, Llan. bradaoh George Rollings, timekeeper, Lewis- terrace, Llanbradach; and Thomas Pugh. collier, De Winton terrace, Llanbradach. 3, John Jones, 7, Fforcbnoel-row, Cwmaman Wm. Jones, Fair View-terrace W. J. Oliver, 34, Glanaman-place, Cwmaman. 4, Daniel Owen, 8, St. Joseph's-terrace, Cwmaman; Wm. P. Evans, 41, Brynhyfyd, Aberdare; Thomas Morgan, 16, Mountain-road, Cwmaman,

EXHIBITION EISTEDDFOD. ENORMOUS ATTENDANOE, Exciting Choral Contests. The Cardiff Exhibition Eisteddfod, from what- ever point of view it may be regarded, must be voted a glorious success and the sanguine expectations cherished by the promoters, of whom the energetic Councillor Edward Thomas, J.P., is chairman, have been more than fulfilled. True, there were many draw- backs to contend against. There was the weather for instance, which proved as disagreeable as it well could be. The morning dawned cold and cheerless, and when the heavy-laden special trains from the valleys around reached the town about 10 o'clock the visitors, numbering several thousands, were forced to seek the nearest shelter from the frequentand drenching showers that fell. Fortunately the Exhibition was open, and here for many hours the visitors found ample objects of entertainment. At 11 o'clock, when the doors of the Exhibition Hall were thrown open, the platform was found occupied by candidates under. going the preliminary test in the violin competi- tion, and this was permitted to proceed without interruption until nearly half-past 11, when Herr Wolff and his Old World Band arrived and gave an admiiable selection of music, for which they were twice encored. It was thus an hour after the advertised time when the president, the Ven, Archdeacon Griffiths, of Neath, took the chair, and still another half-hour elapsed before the opening ceremony was disposed of and the serious business of the day entered upon. Under ordinary circumstances this waste of time would have bordered on the scandalous, and would have been very emphatic- ally resented by an audience. As it happened, however, in this case, the audience were wanting, and it. was not until 2 o'clock, when the more attractive items on the programme were reached, that the pavilion began to fill*. Later on every available seat was occupied with the exception of those in the president's gallery, and many hundreds were forced to be content withstanding room only. Mabon, M.P., was afforded ample opportunities in the interval to display bis qualities as conductor, and bis ready wit and playful sallies served to keep the audience in the best of spirits. But the hours thus lost were never regained, and for the remainder of the afternoon the officials, in their endeavour to get through tbe programme, had veritably to run a race against time. This was rendered all the more difficult by the otherwise gratifying tacll that in every contest the entries were not only numerous, but included the best talent in the district, thus rendering it impossible to skip any events entered for decision. Idriswyn made a model secretary, and it is doubtless to his activity due the fact that the entries were so numerous and repre- sentative. As the day passed into evening, and the evening again advanced rapidly before the chief choral contest was reached, tbe audience showed manifest signs of impatienoe, bat, like a skilful pilot, Mabon steered the vessel through the stormy billows of opposition, and eventually, though at a late hour, reached the babonr of refuge afforded by the chief choral contest, for which many thousands in the building had throughout the day waited with exemplary patience. The non-appearance of the Merthyr choir was the source of deep and general disap- pointment, but the contest between Llanelly and Pontypool proved exceedingly interesting, and the viotory of Llanelly was certainly popular. An Eisteddfod, it would appear, IS considered incomplete these days unless a Welsh hymn is sung. Father Ignatius recently suggested that each Eisteddfod meeting should be opened with prayer and praise. Mabon has evidently strong faith in the soothing powers of a Welsh hymn upon an Eisteddfod audience, and it may soon pass into a proverb that wherever Mabon conducts an Eisteddfod there also will the hymn be beard. The opportunity for bymn-singing was afforded on this occasion by the elements, for the ram falling upon the corrugated iron roof of the building created such an uproar as to make it impossible to continue with the contest then proceeding. This was Mabon's opportunity—the opening strains of Orugybar were struck, and when the audience had finished the grand old hymn the rain had ceased, the sun shone, and the competitions were merrily resumed. The Eisteddfod adjudicators were Music, Mr F. H. Cowen. F.R.A.M., Mr David Jenkins, Mus. Bac., and Mr Charles Lee Williams, Mus. Bac. brass band, Mr Walter Reynolds, Ketter- ing; poetry, Dyfed recitations, Councillor Henry White and Mr S. W. Allen; essay. Mr Lasoelles Carr, J.P., and Mr Evan Owen, J.P. THE PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. The Vet Archdeaoon GfSths was very cordially mceived in rising 110. deliver the presidential address. SpeakinfiT ID, Welsh be recalled the fact that it was now close upon 40 years since he first became connected with the Eisteddfod, and in the interval that had since passed he rejoiced to think that the Eisteddfod bad attained a position in which it commanded the respect of all people, and had made for itself an abiding place deep in the affections of the people of Wales. He congratulated the promoters of that great Exhibition for having associated with it an elsteddfodio branch, for no was •more attractive 3D "Vaifl* tbøI. I Eisteddfod, He felt confident that as the day advanced that great building would be crowded. The attractions of Cardiff were so many that the sons and daughters of their valleys, who had come down tuab day in their thousands, found it exceedingly difficult to divide their time, or to lengthen the day to such an extent as to permit tbem to give that Eisteddfod more than a portion of their holiday. Incident- ally referring to the performance of the Old World Band, the President highly complimented Herr Wolff and his organisation upon the admirable manner in which they had just acquitted themselves, and he ventured to think that some of the Welsh bands might profit by listening carefully to their wonderful performance. I (Cheers.) Later on the President spoke of the slanderous attacks recently made upon the morals of the Welsh people. His blood, he said, boiled warmly when he read those furious articles upon the men and women of the Rhondda which had been commented upon with so muce severity. In his opinion, the man who wrote those articles had never been in the Rhondda; in the second place, be had no knowledge of the people there and thirdly, he was ignorant of the characber of the whole of the Rhondda and 'its inhabitants. (Loud and prolonged ch^srs.) Criticism would do them, as Welsh people, no harm, and let them rise to the dignity of the position in which Christian privilege had placed them. (Cheers.) MABON, M.P.. following the old custom of addressing the Eisteddfod president in verse, haited the Archdeacon;in the following impromptu verse :— Adwaenom ein Periglor dri deg o flwyddfn ol Mor ieuanc ac ysprydol a neb ar fryn a dol, Mae heddyw yn Archddeon, ac eto yr un yw ef, Pa un a'i mewn Eisteddfod neu'n dysgu'r ffordd i'r net Hawddamor fytbol iddo cadeirydd o'r lawn ryw, Mil gwell na chladdu meirw—mae'n cadw pawb yn fyw. On tbe motion of COCHFABF, J.P., seconded by Councillor JOTBAM, J.P., the thanks of the Eisteddfod were heartily tendered to the Arch- deacon for his address and bis presence, a similar compliment being, at tbe suggestion of Mabon, paid to Mrs Griffiths, who occupied a seat on the platform. THE COMPETITIONS. The competitions were then proceeded with at 12.30 p.m., the opening proceedings much to the mpatienoe of the audience, having dragged on for nearly an hour. PIANOFORTE SOLO, "Fountain" (Sterndale), prize £2. This proved a highly popular contest, no fewer than 41 candidates putting in an appear- ance at tbe pteliminary test. Three of their number, viz., Miss Rose Pulman, Adelina," and Madge," were selected to appear on the platform for the final contest. Mr F. H. Cowen, F.R.A.M., in deliverine the award of Mr Charles Lee-Williams, Mus. Baa, and himself. said that excellent as the competition had proved, they had not very much difficulty in selecting the winner, though honourable mention must be made of the second player. Taking the artistic qualities into consideration and the general conception of the piece they awarded the prize to Adelina, who turned out to be Miss Adelina George, of Tredegar. He (Mr Cowen) trusted that the other competitors would not be discouraged. As to the third player, she was young, and no doubt would yet win many prizes. (Cheers.) Miss George, who was heartily applauded. was then invested by tbe president. DUET, The Sailors" (Emlyn Evans) prize, £ 2.—There was a very interesting competition witnessed for this prize, the competitors including among them some of the best voices from the principal Welsh male voice choirs. Twenty-nine parties entered. Of these three survived the weeding-out process, viz., Ap Hywel Oynon and friend, two Cousins, and Todd and friend. Mr L. Williams said that some difficulty had been to decide upon the best in the contest, bub the final decision went in favour of Todd and friend, while the adjudicators highly commended the rendering given by Two Cousins." The winners were Mr W. Todd Jones and Mr Gabriel P. Williams, both of Treherbert, the principal solo singers of the Royal Treorky Male Voice Choir. In the SOPRANO SOLO, I love the sweet breezes of the evening," the firsb place was easily taken by Miss Gertie Wedlake, of Cardiff, who was invested by Mabon, M.P. There were 31 candi- dates, and of that number three sang on the platform, "Molly," Gertie," and "Madge." Mr Cowen declared that they showed great artistic qualities, and deserved every encourage- ment. How TO ENSURE A MUSICAL FKSTIVAL.—Six essays had been received on:" A Musical Festiva for South Wales and Monmoathshire, with thel best means of making the same a permanent institution," for whioh a prizoofJES was offered by Mr E. W. M. Corbellt, who initiated the movement which culminated in the recent South Wales Musical Festival at Cardiff. Mr Lasoelles Carr, J.P., and Mr Evan Owen, J.P., were adjudicators, and the award was delivered by the last named gentleman. All the six essays, he said, were exceedingly well written, and the competitors had evidently taken a great deal of trouble to commie and condense the facts which they adduced. The best essay received, however, was that sent in by Bellisarius," who dealt with the question in a detailed and comprehensive manner, and set forth a scheme which seemed to be more practicable than anything suggested by the other competitors. f Bellisarius" criticised the management of tbe last festival somewhat severely, but in good spirit. He attributed the failure of the last festival to eisbeddfodio influence, and more especially to the attractions of the Biynmawr and Llandudno gatherings. The organisation in his opinion was incomplete, the advertising insufficient, and the choir not a fair representation of the musical strength in tbe distriot. Briefly, his scheme is that festival should be movable, the next to be held at Cardiff or some convenient centre easily accessible to the committee of the last festival; that representatives from varions towns of South Wales should be convened for the purpose of appointing officers and the General Committee to draft a general scheme of management, fix dates of meetings and select works to be performed; that local sub-committees from all towns from which help is expected should be established for the purpose of obtaining snbscriptions, selecting sectional ohoirs, and selling reserved seat tickets. The old system of booking places was strongly condemned, and a recommendation was made that tiokets should be sold without a plan, and seats subsequently balloted for, The appointment of these committees the writer deemed to be of tbe utmost importance. Choristers should be selected from the great competition choirs, and the best singers from those bodies that did not enter for Eisteddfod competitions. One of the great English musicians should conduct the festival, and one permanent conduotor appointed for training purposes. So far as possible an amateur orchestra should be formed, works to be performed should not be confined exclusively to the Welsh aubhors, and the competitive element should be excluded, except by way of experiment, until the festival had been established on a firm basis. The adjudicators, while stating that some of the suggestions made might be open to objection, were unanimous in awarding Bellisarius the prize. The writer of tbe successful essay proved to be Miss Emilie Burley, Liverpool. OBCHKSTRAI BAND COMPETITION.—A prize of :£30 and a second prize of £10 were offered to the orohestral band (30 to 40 performers) that would best render Schubert's Rosamunde," Four bands competed, and appeared in the following order :-(1) Cardiff Junior Orchestra, conducted by Mr E. T. Roberts (2) Tredegar and Pontlottyn Orchestral Society, led by Mr Tom Lewis; (3) Cardiff Amateur Orchestral Union, conduoted by Mr A. C. Toone and (4) Llanelly Orchestral Society, led by Mr T. J. Williams, Mr Cowen, who delivered the adjudica- tion, said his fellow judges and himself conscientiously believed from too general concep- tion and the better light and shade that the best performance was that given by the Cardiff Junior Orchestra conducted by Mr E. T. Roberts. The second prize went to the Llanelly Band. CONTRALTO SOLO.—There were no fewer than 41 entries for the prize offered for the best rendering by a contralto singer of the solo, U 0, ye that love the Lord." Four vocalists appeared upon the pavilion platform, and of these Miss Mary Thomas, Momston, was adjudged tbe best. DUET FOR CHILDREN.—Three couples wan selected to appear in the pavilion as competitors for the prize offered to children under 14 years of age, for the best rendering of the duet from "Up to Date"—"How often have we panted up." Mtss Brown and Miss Burgen, of Abertillery, were eventually declared the successful vocalists. JOVKNILE OHom COMPETITION. —The test piece selected for juvenile choirs was Mr Tom Price's chorus, Come, praise your Lord and Saviour," each choir to contain between 50 and 60 votces. Mr Cowen and Mr David Jenkins adjudicated. The contesting choirs sang in the following order: —(1) Alexander-road (Newport) Baptist Juvenile Choir; (2) Tabernacle (Pontypridd) Juvenile Choir (3) Ainon (Cardiff) Band of Hope Choir; (4) Goboith y Rhos Choir, Mountain Ash. Mr David Jenkins, in delivering the adjudication of Mr Cowen and himself, said that the first ohoir were very unfortmnMe in that they went oat of tone, and remained so to the end. No. 2 kept better tune and had a better style, and gave a very fair performance. No. 3 went oat of tone. No. 4 sang well; the enunciation was very dear, and the quality of voices was fuller and richer. Un- doubtedly the competition lay between choirs No. 2 and No. 4. No 2 did remarkably well, bat they were not quite so devotional or graceful in the six-eight movement. Tbe second prize would be awarded to choir No. 2 (Pontypridd Taber- nacle). conducted by Mr T. Powell. The last choir were very successful from the beginning to the end, especially in the middle portion. They sang with great feeling and devotion, quite in accord the subject in hand. The first prize was therew/e awarded to choir No. 4 (Mountain Ash), conducted by Mr S. PowelL The announcement was received with loud cheers. Judging from the interest evinced in its progress by the audience one of the most popular events of the day was the elocution contest, the test piece being a selection from Marc Antony's oration out of Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar." There were 42 candidates for elooutionary honours, and they were heard by Mr Councillor White and Mr S. W. Allen, who kindly under- took the duties of adjudicator in place of Mr Lasoelles Oarr, who had been called from home. Councillor White, in announcing the decision of bis colleague and himself, said that as usual in such competitions tbey considered fidelity to; text, general delivery (ioolading aooent), pro- nunciation and dramatic expression, and finally the spirit of conception as the primary testing powers, and having regard to the whole of these they unhesitatingly awarded the first prize to Eurfron, the second to Gwen, and the third prize to Jennie. It transpired that these persons were respectively Miss Gwenllian Williams, Treher- ben; Miss Florence Locke. Newport; and Miss Jane Haddock, Treaarbeft. SttN Ocacmwoa^—Tnojttee# j tests in this contest, confined to parties j containing 30 to 40 voices, Dr. Parry's Ar don o flaen y gwyncoedd being the Welsh test, and "The Sea hath its Pearls" (Pinsuti) being the others. Five parties competed and sung in the following order:-(I) Pontycymmer Musio Lovers; (2) Peurhiwcelber Glee Society, conducted by Mr D. T. Lewis (3) Touypandy Glee Society, conduotor Mr T. Jones (4) Cardiff Harmonic Society, conductor Mr Towyn Thomas (5) the Mozart Glee Society, Abertillery. The adjudi- cators agreed in the wish that one of the test pieces should have been unaccompanied by pianoforte musio so as to afford a better example of the part singing abilities of the respective choirs. The winning party proved to be Pontycymmer, and Mr John Phillips, jun., the conductor, was invested with the prize. HART SOLO.—Only two juvenile harpists under 14 years of age entered in the competition for the best performance of the solo, "GwenithGwyn," upon the national instrument. The artistic rendering by Miss Botterill, Merthyr, however secured her the prize. TBNOR SOLO.—The inspiring solo, "0 fy ben Gymraeg," formed the test piece in the tenor solo competition, four singers being selected in the preliminary contest to appear before the audience in the pavilion. The adjudicators described the competition as good in every respect. D. Ltoyd, Llangennecb, secured premier honours. VIOLIN SOLO.—Notwithstanding the manifesta- tions of impatience by the audience, who anxiously awaited the chief choral competition, five violinists were allowed to perform the test piece, viz., Romance (Svensen). Mr Cowen said that the adjudicators would have liked in this case to have given the prize more for artistic promise than for absolute performance, but as it was not in their province to do so, they were quite willing to allot the prize to Mr Benny George, of Tredegar. who was fully entitled to it. (Cheers.) CHIEF CHORAL COMPETITION. Ab last, about 6.30 p. m the principal event of the day was reached, viz., the chief choral com-I petition, open to mixed choirs ranging from 160 to 200 voices. The test pieces were three in number, viz. :—1, Dewch i ddawnsio rhwng y gwydd (" Trip we gaily o'er the green ") (" Dewi Sant," Jenkins); 2, When his loud voice in thunder spoke (" Jephtha," Handel) 3, How sweet the moonlighb sleeps (Leslie), (unaccompanied). The prize was £100, with a afeilverlftnglish lever watch to the cond Ilctor (gi ven by Mr Phil Phillips, 24, St. Mary-street, Cardiff). Two choirs sang, viz., the Llanelly Choral Society, conducted by Mr John Thomas, and the Abersychan and Pontypool Choral Society, led by Mr Walter Prothero. The Mertbyr Choir had also entered, but did not put in an appearance. A dramatic incident was witnessed during the progress of this competition, a violent storm of thunder and lightning furnishing striking accompaniment to tbe rendering by the Llanelly Choir of tbe chorus from "Jephtha." When His loud voice in thunder spoke It was 7.30 before Mr Cowen stepped forward to deliver the award. The task of the adjudicators, he said, had been a much lighter one j than it was at Llandudno a few months ago. They bad been very pleased indeed with the performance of both choirs that day. The singing of the losing choir was equal, or very nearly equal, to anything they had heard at Llandudno. (Loud cheers.) There were one or two points, perhaps, in which they failed. There bad been a little want of tone, and perhaps a rather wrong choice of tempo in the part-song, for they had taken it a little too quickly. The losing choir, however, deserved every encourage- ment, and he wished them very great success in the future. The name of the winning choir was Llanelly. (Loud and prolonged cheers ensued, during which Mr John Thomas, the successful conductor, was invested by Mrs Alderman Carey.) THE AMBULANCE COMPETITION was another interesting feature of the Eisteddfod, though unfortunately time did not permit of its taking place within view of the audience. This contest had been got up by Dr. John Williams, of Cardiff, who, with Dr. J. Lynn Thomas, Cardiff, and Dr. R. W. Jones, J.P., of Penrhiw- ceiber, acted as adjudicators. Eighteen squads, consisting of railwaymen, colliers, dockmen and others, competed. The winners were:-I, Dowlais Railwaymen; 2, Cwmamon Colliery Colliers' Squad.

SECOND DAY, Alderman DAVID JONES, J.P., presided and delivered his address, and his appearance was the signal for a hearty outburst of applause. It was not his intention, he said. to trouble them with very many words on that occasion, for the day's proceedings were sure to be lengthy, and unless they got at bhe competitions in due course at an early stage it was possible they would be kepb there until such a late hour in the evening that the proceedings would become tiresome. He occupied a somewhat anomalous posibion that day, for while his friend Mabon addressed them in Welsh as a Welshman, he (the president) as a Welshman spoke to them in English. Nor was this his fault. Hisanceetors. as far as beoould trace them. were Welsh Welsh-(bear, hear and laughter)— but when the descendants of the Welsh Welsh came to an English town they played with the boys in English, and attended schools where nothing but English was spoken, and the result was that the second generation of the Welsh Welsh became English-speaking. He had therefore some excuse for the fact < in\t he was that day unable to address them in Welsh as he would have very much liked to do. He had come there more particularly to show his sympathy with the Eisteddfod and to show that amongst the English-Welsh of our towns, there was as profound a sympathy with the Eisteddfod as an institution as there was among the Welsh- speaking population. They were there to encourage them in competitions that were to take place, and which must, he thought, exercise moral influence and teaching upon all those who took part in them. The one universal language of musio was well understood by all musicians, and ib needed no interpreter, He was pleased to think that on the previous day, in spite of the rough weather, that building was very full, and that seemed to him to be an assurance that the Eisteddfod was not losing its popularity. (Loud cheers.) At the close of the address MABoN addressed the conductor in the following poetical effusion:- Cyfeillgarwch pur a cbariad, Yspryd byw o gydymdeimlad, Sy'n llywyddu llaw a ohalon, Ein Cynghorwr, Dafydd, dirion. Subsequently, on the motion of Councillor E. THOMAS. J.P., seconded by Dr. TREASURS, the thanks of the audience were tendered to Alder- man David Jones for presiding. THE COMPETITIONS were then proceeded with, the first item taken being the pedal harp solo, in which originally there were six entries. Two of these survived the preliminary ordeal, and gave a very artistio rendering on the platform of Mr John Thomas's arrangement of the air Morfa Rhuddlan." The premium was 02, and this the adjudicators (Mr F. H. Cowen and Mr Lee Williams) awarded without hesitation to a young boy named James Williams, of Aber- gavenny. Awake, Sweet Love," a melodious piece by Moir, was the test piece in the duet contest for sopranos and tenors, and 11 parties appeared to oontend for the three sovereigns which con- stituted the prize, this being the gift of Mr C. A. Pearson. The prelimi- nary competition was evidently a close one, for as many as four of the parties were allowed to sing before the audience. All the competitors, according to Mr Lee Williams, sang excellently, and the adjudicators were very much struck by their performance. The prize was awarded to Miss Maggie Griffiths and Mr T. M. Jones, both of Cardiff. A SCENE. This announcement was received by a few persons in the cheaper seats-evidently friends of the other compelliiors-with audible ories of "Shame." A word from Mabon, however, sufficed to restore order, but the incident did not escape the notice of the adjudicators, for subse- quently, when delivering another award, Mr F. H. Cowen took occasion to refer to it in very outspoken terms. "If," he said, "we do not invariably agree with your verdict, it is unfortunate, but we are here not to judge of what is, after all, the thing that impresses roost people most, and impresses us also—that is the voice, which is a pure gift of nature and a very pleasing and happy one to have but we are here more especially to judge of artistio quality aod musical rendering--(loud ebeers)-and it is entirely on those grounds that we endeavour to base all our adjudications." (Hear, hear.) On the bass solo, "She alone charmetb my sadness" (Gounod), in Key E, a very keen contest was witnessed, as many as 34 entries hav- ing to be dealt with. Messrs Metzler and Co., Ltd., of London, were the donors of the prize. Three competitors, viz., T. L* "Ap Hywel Cynon," and "R. G," sang on the platform, and, in the words of Mr Cowen, "gave a very creditable rendering." The winner was Mr Tom Lewis, of Cardiff. The quartette competition was a distinct frost." There were originally nine entries, the test piece being Mr David Jenkins's "Softly breathe." Only one party, led by Mr Gabriel Williams, appeared, however, and the prize, much to the amusement of the audience, was withheld, the adjudicators declaring that the rendering was not up to proper form in any way "—a declaration which was all the more remarkable when it was remembered that the party included such well known singers as Todd Jones, of the Royal Treorky Choir Miss Gertie Wedlake, of Cardiff; and Miss Annie Giossop. A very weloome diversion from the monotony of solo singing waa afforded by the next item, vis., "Penillion singing with the harp, after the manner of boxith Wales." The harp was manipulated by Miss Annie Jones, R.A., and the competitors (three in number) sang a number of verses to the strains of the old Welsh melody "Nos Galan." A good deal of amusement was occasioned by the performance of Mabon, who, stepping forward, sang one verse to the accompaniment of the harp, the audience joining heartily in the refrain. Mr David Jenkins adjudicated, and awarded the prize to Mr William Hopkin, of Oapcooh, Aberdare. There was a very olose contest on the baritone solo, Rhys ab Goronwy," four eompetlbors- M T. L. T. T„" •• Glyndjwr Elian," and Llewellyn "—giving an excellent rendering of the pieco on the platform. The award went in favour of Mr Tom Lewis, of Cardiff. On Tuesday theelocutionists were all Welshmen, and no better evidence of the popularity of this form of the dramatic art in Wales could bo furnished than the fact that the entries numbered 53, and that the large majority of these were present ab the prelimi- nary trial. Three of the competitors re- cited the selected piece — Glan "Geulunyddfa ineaioi»r»bta poenv Rhuddlan "-before the audience. Councillor E. Thomas, J.P., and Mr Evan Owen, J.P., were the judges ,and the winner again turned oat to be Miss Gwenllian Williams, of Treherbert, the young lady who wou on Antony's oration in the previous day's contest. The second prize was awarded to Mr Rees Rees, of Cardiff. The successful compactors were invested by Mrs Edward Thomas. j The committee had offered a substantial premium for an elegy, either in Eoglish or Welsh, on the late Sir Joseph Barnby, and it appeared that 14 compositions, six in Welsh and eight in English, had been sent in. Dyfed was the adjudicator, and his award was read by Idriswyn, the hon. see. of the eisteddfod. The author of the successful poem was Mr Wm. Williams, of Pontypool. Three out of the four vocalists who figured in the quartette competition fared better when the trio contest came on. Dr. Parry's Angel Night Song" formed the test piece, and two parties out of 14 entries were selected to sing on the platform. Mr Lee Williams and Mr David Jenkins awarded the priza to the party consisting of Mr Todd Jones and Mr Gabriel P. Williams, Treherbert, and Miss Gertie Wedlake, of Cardiff, a declaration which waa received with very hearty applause. In the 'cello solo competition on the serenade Saint Saens the prize was withheld, the test j piece being declaredunsuitablefor the instrument- Two out of three competitors who had entered appeared in the flute solo competition on the test piece, Long, long ago (Nicholson). Mr Cowen and Mr Lee Williams awarded tbe prize to Mr Charles Bielski, of Cardiff. SECOND CHORAL CONTEST. It is curious that while in all other depart- ments the entries should have been bewilderingly numerous, a substantial prize of j350 offered to choirs of 70 to 90 mixed voices in the secondohitjf choral contest attracted but one competitor, viz., thePontypriddTemperance PhilharmonicSociety, under the conductorship of Mr W. Thompson. The test pieces were Mr J. T. Rees's chorus. Hear my prayer, 0 Lord," and "Through peace to light" (Mr J. H. Roberts). The adju- dicators wer Messrs Cowen, Jenkins, and Lee Williams, and they adjudged the Pontypridd Choir to fully merit the prize. LADIES' CHORAL COMPETITION. The ladies' choral competition was now reached, and it was found that the prediction of Mabon that the pavilion would be full ere this event came off was literally verified, for, with the exception only of the president's gallery, the vast building, as far as eye could discern, was packed in every corner. Loud ringing cheers greeted the appearance of the contestants, for the competition attracted excep- tional interest from the fact that most of the competing choirs had previously met at the Llandudno gathering, and were eager to fight their battles over again. Birkenhead, the jlandlldno winners, were not entered, but the London Kymric Ladies' Choir, who took second place on that occasion, were present, and so also were the Pontypridd Ladies Choir, to whom the judges at Llandudno had allotted the third place. The test pieces were those sung at the National Eisteddfod, viz., (1) God in Nature (Schubert), and (2) Tjlwyn On (Emlyn Evans). The prize was j315. and the voices were limited to thirty. Mr Cowen, Mr Jenkins, and Mr Lee Williams adjudicated. The choirs sang in the following order :— 1. Gwent Ladies' Choir—conductress, Mrs Alfred Morris (Llinos Gwent). 2. The Pontypridd Ladies' Choir—conductress, Mrs Annie C. Williams. 3. The London Kymric Ladies' Choir--=. ductress, Miss Frances Rees. TheCardiff Ladies' Choir (Madame Louie Hooper- Rees) and the Swansea Ladies' Choir (Miss Jones) were also included amongst the entries, but for some unexplained reason they did not put in an appearance. Mr Cowen delivered tha adjudication. They hfcd listened to this competition with the greatest possible pleasure, and the choirs ran each other very close indeed. They had had great difficulty in deciding as to the winning choir. There had not been more than one point difference between the three, and they had only been able to decide these points by slight matters of detail, probably unnoticed by the audience, but which the adjudi- cators had had to take particular notice of. Taking the Gwent Choir first, the Schubert piece was on tbe whole excellently well sung, but the choir was a little handicapped by a somewhat wrong choice of tempo—that it was taken con. siderably too fast. "Llwyn Onn" he. personally, thought, was more charmingly sung by this than by any of the other two choirs. The difference was very slight, but he thought that the humming effect was absolutely perfect. With regard to Pontypridd, the Sohubert piece could hardly have been better sung-(loud cheers^—though perhaps they sang just a shade too fast. "Ash Grove" was beautifully sung by Pontypridd, as far as the melody was concerned, but be did not think the humming effect was quite as good as in the Gwent Choir, being rather too pronounced. The London Choir sang Ash Grove first; it was exceedingly well sung, but slightly heavy, they thought. In the Schubert piece, the tempo chosen by the London Choir was on the whole better than any other of the three cboirs-(Ioud oheers)-al though they took occasional liberties with it which were quite unnecessary and quite unwarranted. The intona- tion was occasionally a little incorrect, and the general effecb, they thought, was somewhat coarser than in the other choirs. After consider- able consideration, the adjudicators had decided to allot the prize to the Pontypridd OhaIr. (Loud and enthusiastic cheering.) Miss Annie C. Williams, the conductress of the successful choir, was subsequently invested by Alderman David Jones, J.P., the day's president THE MALE VOICE COMPETITION. Next came the male voice choral competition, the test pieces being Dr. Joseph Parry's Dwyn- wen" and Goetz's "Drinking Song"(unacoom- pamed), The choirs sang in the following order: 1. Porth It Cymmer Male Voice. Mr Rhys Evans 2. Mountain Ash, Mr T. GIyndwr Richards 3. Cardiff United, Mr Tom James 4. Porth, Mr Taliesin Hopkins 5. Newport Orpheus, Mr Spencer E. Jones 6. Tredegar, Mr D. Jones (Dewi Degar) 7. Taibacb, Mr James Singleton 8. Swansea Cymmrodorion, Mr James Thomas xne competition occupied over two boors, and was followed with intense interest by the audience. Mr David Jenkins, speaking in Welsh on behalf of the adjudicators, said the competition had attained a very high level of excellence, much higher, in fact, than that attained at the recent National Eisteddfod at Llandudno. Mr Cowen said that the competition bad been an exceedingly close one. Most of them were. (Hear, hear, and laughter.) He was most pleased with what he had heard during the two days be had been in that pavilion, and with the immense amount of talent that had been exhibited. He would not enter into a detailed adjudication of that contest. Some of the choirs had excelled in points that others had failed in, and vice versa. On the whole he thought that Dr. Parry's piece bad been the most successful of the two with the generality of the choirs. He wished particularly to highly commend two choirs-Tredegar and Swansea-for their excellent rendering; Tredegar especially for Dr, Parry's piece, and Swansea not only for Dr. Parry's piece, but more especially for the Drinking Song of Goetz. (Cheers.) It was only by little points that the adjudicators were able to distinguish the difference between the choir, and the winning choir was but very little above the two that be had mentioned. He did not think it necessary that be should say anything further but merely to announce that the winning ohoir was Mountain Ash. The announcement was received with a great outburst of cheering, and it was very evident that the adjudicators' finding was in complete accord with the feeling of the audience. Mr T. Glyndwr Richards, the successful conductor, was invested by Mrs Evans, the wife of Mr Tom Evans (Pilotage Board), who, as vice-chairman of the Eisteddfod Committee, has been con- stantly in attendance at the meetings and acted as Mabon's deputy in the conductorship. TRR BRASS BAND COMPETITION. It was now half-past six, and there was still the brass band competition, with seven entries, to be decided. Some thousands of people quitted the pavilion after the disposal of the male voice event, but a crowd quite as large remained and sat for another couple of hours to witness the contest between the bands. This competition was conducted under the rules of the South Wales Brass Band Association. The test piece was Round's grand selection Halevy," the first prize being 220 the second, 212 the third, £6.1 and the fourth, jM. Mr Walter Reynolds, of Kettering, was the adjudicator. The Lancaster Town Band, Blaina, and the Cymmer Colliery Brass Band did not appear. The others played in the following order:— 1. Ferndale Priz. Band, Mr J. Bailey. 2. Tillery Collisnes Band, Mr J. Griffiths. 3. Arael-Griffin Colliery Temperance Band, Mr E. Su-to i. 4. 3rd V.B. Band, Mountain Ash, Mr W. Shaw. 5. Llanelly Band, Mr James Samuel. The competition was over at 8.15, and shortly afterwards the result was declared as follows :— 1, Arael-Griffin, Abertillery 2, Ferndale; 3, Mountain Ash 4, Llanelly. The Eisteddfod proceedings were then brought to a close.

SHOCKING SUICIDE IN THE RHONDDA. A shocking case of suicide took place at Blaenclydach, Rhondda Valley, during the early hours of Sunday morning. Living at 57, Clydach- road, was a young plasterer named Daniel Buckley, aged 20 years. and it appears that when he returned to the house just before midnight on Saturday he bad a conversation with his sister- in-law, and he told her that be waa gc'ng to shift. Sho. however, did Lot understand what be meant, and proceeded upstairs. When, how- ever, she got to the lanumg Buckley called her back, and when she got to is kitchen she found him sitting and holding an empty glass in his hand. He told her that he had taken carbolic acid, and Dr. Washington David. of Clydach Vale, was immediately called, but the unfortunate man died in great agony about an hour afterwards.

WHAT CAUSES PIMPLES ? Clogging of the pores. The little plujj in the otre of the pimple is called a blackhead, grub, or «*r»edone. The only real preventive is CUTHIUBA bOAT, the most effective skin purifyiio and beautifying soap in tha world as well as the purest and sweetest for toilet, bakj, and nursery. It is tue only preventive of p-niples, blackheads, red. rough, and oily skin, red, rcm-h bands, Wtth shapeless naile, dry. thin, and falling hair, and simple baby blemtf es, because th only preven- tiTe of inflammation and clogging of the pores, tt 'caU16 of minor affections of the gin, scalp, and hair. Sa." a create* than tae combined sales of all other skin and 0QlB(i £ si0llJ0U^

DEAJJi OF MR BYRON REED. M.P. Victim of a Carriage Accident. We regret to announce the death of Mr By- Reed, M.P. for East Bradford. Mr Reed, was staying at Ventnor, on Saturday met carriage accident. He, however, appears to & attached no great importance to the mis^ for on Sunday he wrote to bis uncle, Sir Ed#* £ Reed, conveying a cordial invitation to Venf' and making no mention of the accid^j Grave symptoms showed themselves later, on receipt of a telegram to that effect^ Monday in London Sir Edward was to Mr Victor Horsley to secure his servidj when another telegram announcing Mr death at 9 o'clock on Monday morning put into his band. Sir Edward left London Ventnor almost immediately. DETAILS OF THE ACCIDENT. I The Cen tral News Ventnor corresponden b t. -Mr Byron Reed, M.P., met with his accidj on Saturday. He was driving a two-wh pony carriage to Woodcltffe St. Lawrence, w he was staying with Mrs Reed and sons, when the pony swerved ran against the bank. The trap upset, Mr Reed was thrown out and sustained a the forehead. He wac token home in a ddj state. Next day his condition improved,< £ a relapse followed, accompanied by unconsci<o ness and fits. He died at 20 minutes past 0 Monday morning. A PREVIOUS ACCIDENT. The Press Association is mformed by 0" Mr Byron Reed's colleagues in the hooøt Commons that the hon. gentleman met witla similar accident aboub three months ago. Ret ing home in a cab early one morning, he about to alight at his owu house, when ths^J suddenly stopped and Mr Reed was throj forward on to the pavement, where he lay iu^J sible. He was taken into the house, and it found he bad sustained a severe cut on tbel^ temple. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. Mr Reed well known South Wales so lecturer of 0 Church Defeo Institution, oio which he JIll" been nected since youth. For years he rePv anted the itool tution i n b", Northern P to vince, which 00r prised what r. known as the ,is northern coudlo of E n g1 a naking Darlingo, bis headquarters. Here he identified with journalism, editing the North Easter* deptndent, and being mainly inscrumental in establishment of the North Star, the only OOD vative daily newspaper between York and :N castle, and on the directorate of whioh are Marquis of Londonderry, the Marquis f Zetland, Mr James Lowther, and other north*? notables. Mr Byron Reed was also at time Conservative agent for South Durham, was highly appreciated for his zeal and courage in an antagonistic district on behalf JJ the cause he advocated. His political servi^ were recognised by his nomination to the oojjj mission of the peace for the borough of Darlingjy by the Earl of Durham, Lord Lieutenant ot 00 county. Aftei unsuccessfully contesting Western Division of Bradford in 1885, Mr B Reed was elected for its Eastern Division in following year. He suffered defeat at the 11 the succeeding General Election, but last J he was again returned for his old constituevct beating his opponent, Mr W. S. Oaine, by 704 vo Mr Reed bad been a regular attendanb National Union conferences since the one hold Nottingham in 1878, and at the Newport 100 ference in 1885 he was elected a member of '{J council. Each year since then he had b returned to the council, having the unique$1 tinction of being head of the poll at Liverpool 1890, and again at Birmingham in 1891, whilst? Sheffield in the following year he was second to bhe then chairman, Mr C. B. Stuart WortWft M.P. for Sheffield. In 1887 he was appoio'Jj one of the three vice-chairmen of the council, again in 1888 and 1889. In 1890 he was appoin^ to the dignity of chairman of the council, and^ that capacity he presided over the Birmingb*g Conference of 1891, Mr Reed, who was only? years of age, leaves a widow and several

THE LATE CANON HAWKINS. It is probably safe, says the Wesimilow Gazette, to affirm that Canon Edward Haw who has just died at the HawtborfJj Newport, was the oldest residential^ canon of a cathedral. Born in 1800, kept his residences iu Llandaff Oathed** UP Jp last year, although he resigned the vioa'*5 of St. Woolos, Newport, in 1882, after haV# held it for more than 42 years. He graduated Pembroke College, Oxford, in 1802. and "J ordained the following year by the Bishop Gloucester (Dr. Bethel]) to the curacy of Ohurcb<^ Gloucestershire. He served two other shire parishes—Taynton and Ooleford—bef°jj going to Wales. At Newport he was simplj idolised by the people, and his erect figure great old age as he walked through the town pointed to with pride by the inhabitants. served under three bishops—Copleston, Olliva'jJ and the present prelate—and watched t|jj cathedral rise from a ruin to its present statsJJ proportions. He was for a long time proctor tjj the clergy of the diocese in Convocation, and one of the most active of the Welsh clergy. tfj reminiscences of the events in the early part the century were vivid in the extreme, and it *jjj a treat to hear him describe the receipt of news of the Battle of Waterloo. He at one time a frequent visitor when London for Convention in both Hou*' of Parliament, and he took a ke** interest in public events. He was an intid friend and trusted counsellor of Bishop Olli and successive Welsh bishops have consulted hij on questions of importance. He was a typ'6* clergyman of the old school, a hard worWj an independent thinker, and a hater f. fads. Yeb few meu, while revelling in bM memories of the past, adapted themselves mor: readily to the needs of the present, even when J* did not entirely approve of the changes. He the most courteous of men, and devoted to interests of tbe Principality. By his death stall in the Cathedral falls to the Bishop Llandaff. Funeral at Newport. The funeral of the Rev. Edward HawkjJI" canon of Llandaff Cathedral and one of oldest beneficed clergymen in the kingdom, too* place on Wednesday, at the Cemetery, NewpofJ The remains were conveyed from the deceased]! late residence, the Hawthorns, Stow Circus, to St. Woolos' Church, of wbiOJ he was for many years vicar, n'j here the first part of the Burial 9<' vice was read. The coffin, which flower-laden, was met at the west door by t{L Ven. Archdeacon Griffiths, canon of LiandoA and by Archdeacon Bruce, vicar of St. and as the surpliced choir moved do^* the aisle Archdeacon Bruce pronounced the op^ ing sentences commencing I am Resurrection and the Life." The coffin placed in the chaucel, and Archdeaoon Griifllbo read tbe Epistle 1st Corinthians, xv., 20, onwards. Only one hymn was sung, the Now the labourer's task is o'er." Prior to service 0, Rest in the Lord" was played oj the organ, and at the conclusion, as the cofB* was borne out of bhe church, Funeral March." At the graveside the t^* archdeacons also officiated. The spot on tb' south side of the Anglican Mortuary Chapel Hj! selected by the deoeased canon himself about » years since, and bad been reserved for him the intervening period. The breastplate ooV tftined the inscription- EDWARD HAWKINS, I Died Ootober 3rd, 1896, In his 96tii year. The coffin comprised a shell and an outer envelop of English oak. In accordance with 'J*! wish of deceased every detail with the ceremony was of the character. The cortege consisted of a hearse a"? four mourning coaohes, followed by nearly dozen private carriages. The chief mourO^J were Mr E Twisden Hawkins, Mr Wm. Hawk» £ (of London), Mr Edmund Eilis, Rev. Charles lpmr ham, Seetham (Penrhos Vicarage, near RaglaV J ham, Seetham (Penrhos Vicarage, near RaglaV J Miss Feetham, Mr Wm. Feetham, Rev. Bed well (vicar of Caerleon) and Mrs BedW^Jf! and the other mourners were Mr H. J. DO and Mr A. J. Stevens, churchwardens of Woolos, and Mr Thos. Colbourne, Bath, < Amongst the congregation at the church those who gathered at the graveside were 0 Roberts, Llandaff; Rev. E. Owen, Lia Cathedral School Rev. W. H. Evans, ru dean Rev. W. A. Downing, Vicar of CaerweBV Rev. E. Jenkins, Vicar of Malpas Rev. J. 0- Darby, Vicar of Machen Rev. T. LI. Lis^f' Vicar of St. Mark's, Newport; Rev. W. D- s Mackintosh, curate of St. Mark's Rev. T. • £ Wrenford, Si. Paul's, Newport; Rev. C- Griffiths, Vicar ol Trevethin, Pontypool H. Morris, Holy Trinity Revs. J. F. W. W. Garry, P. Mortimer, J. George, Newpo'" Rev. Watkin Davies, St. Bride's Colouol Messrs T. G. Cartwright, Horace Lynn, ? Rev. Watkin Davies, St. Bride's Colouol Lyy Messrs T. G. Cartwright, Horace Lynn, ? Webber, J. C. Llewollin, Charles Cullum, A. Filleul, Dr. Melville Brewer, Dr. BegioffJ Brewer, and Dr. Williams. Ilaiu fell heav*JJ throughout the proceedings. The decoased held in high esteem by all classes and religious thought, aud everywhere along route manifestations of respect were shown. *5 funeral arrangements were efficiently carried 0 by Tovey Bros.

WRECKED OFF PLYMOUTH. I An exciting scene was witnessed in PI. Sound on Tuesday afternoon. During a W d gale the three-masted schooner Brrjughby (10 ) of Ramsey, slipped her anchor, and sh^J% afterwards, when her cable parted, she I ashore tn Jennycliff Bay. It being higb tide I verael was carried high on the rocks, where will probably become a total wreck. Plymouth lifoboat was launched. CtoP Davis? and four of the crew had been PreV'c"rl|« rescued with the rocket apparatus by tbe guards. The Broughty Castle was bound "zZ Poo'e »o tVe Mersey wltb china day, and Into Plymouth on Monday morning