The Cardiff Times

CARDIFF. had an onostially quiet appearance I faster Sunday, the utreets daring the Dart of tbe day being almost looted. rhousanda of residents naturally "tt advantage of tbe gloricas weather D«y *t>0 ra,aT faciliiiss, and spent the the enjoyment of pnte conntry air. k»d t Peoartb, La\oi nock, and Sully, to t^arry and places beyond, and also those 0Qt '8 ^ell. for the Garth, look large numbers <v, ^ardiff. For ibo.-e who rtmaiced in the I l^rti pa,i £ a were a source of attraction, and ^Qlaily tbe beautiful Roath Park, which adH* ,eocltzvoa8 of tboasands durioer the day. *)e| Ecores left tbo town Der motor and *pd hoise-drawn veh-cles, all tbe higb- QQC s 9eing crowded. Blany, on the other band, 'n religious obsenancea,special *ba Cf* ''einR held in all the chuiehts and klip1* B*cttcl concerts being given in tome Ct* of worship in the afternoon. Channel Trips: Record Easter 1 raffle. exceptionally la ige namber of trtpperll I i'ronlet:j Ibe excoisione run to Knatoi, K*»ton, Uiohehead, and llfracombe by Mesars iVpbail and tbe Ked Fai.nei L ne, whilst ^mdiods also took advintage of tbe trip3 frou scoi to Catdiff. Tbe arrat)geu^^t8 on Ibe boih com d* nit s were excellent, an J V5^<&-ber carried during the day is stated to beeu a record for Easter Monday. Thousands at Barry Island. ^Hth 8erly annphino and warm summer-like "er induced a larger number cf people than spar d tbsd-ty at Baity Island. Trxins ^ardig and tbe Rbondda up to midday "eavilv loaded, while the Vale of Giamor- Iju *aKeu notably Llantwit M»ifr, Aber- » and Rhoo«e—were the rendezous of to *ds- At Barry, too, the ppsaenger boat tra £ & 'I, hd lifiaconbe wa« ab',ormal, the con- I from Catdiff being augmented by large from Penartb, Ca2aD. Dinaa Fowls, 1. Bnd Bri geod diatricte. Baron's Son as Aeronaut. • Principal holiday attraction at Mon- Cb,tl" was a balloon accent by the Hon. f,om ^e^(i near tbe gas- l>f J, *• in the pitaence of a very largo concourse including Lord Llangattock and party koig Henry Jackson and party. Tbe balloon by (j8 **5,000 feet of gas, and has just been made fctG^'ncet Brothers, Ltd. Tbe gentlemen who j?/>an'8d Mr Rolls were Professor Qnnting WQ'41'Prank Butler, London Mr John T.older, *btf e#«fcr and M.r Arthnr Spencer wbo was in •Will of the Lalleon. 'The ascent wan made ^(j v At noon, and tbe balloon rose rapidly, e nioved in tbe direction of Uoaa, along hlr*e vvind. Mi Rolls intended passing 0as, LedbnrT, &c.,and after deaeending, to >a<bl«t0 üeDdre, A')01Ra%eaiJ7« Uat nigbt, if Ie. Penarth. tl'ro:,artb experienced a great inrush of Tieltors. ntorn the trains and 'buses were t»n, .etl with excursionists anxions to spend a at the seaside. The Esplanade was throughout the day, and tbe pier was W. '"ell patronised. Secular concerts were bv tbo Pier Concert Comedy Co, So,, 'eaaure iteamers also made fioquenl calls, I 'ting Ittrge nambera of people from tbe cf the coaat, aud al«o carrying many (.o tbe vtiicns leaoita in tbe Channel. was taken in the football matches I "tt e(j 00 the Penarth grourul both moioing and there waa provided a higb- c,0tlce»t far the musically iudineJ at Au- hall in aid tf tho proposed St. "tbb The viaitora were moat ordt-rly lowing boats were gieatly in demand, 1 tOt t t b8 lobe regretled that greater facilities ng and landing are not provided. At !bade Oee d Jast lIoasoo there waa a great cry JU |0 Popularise Penaith. The Diatrict Coun- ,'Hini nP lbo "train, and varioua schemes wero *'e^>°netf whi:h waa to double tbe Sbe, cf the present Esplanade and erect I ^ide, with jetties running into the *J><1 JL *bia scbt me *\as consi jercd too costly, waB great oppoeitior- from many of me I'M vbo claim ibat Penarth ia a rositien- b of Caidiff, and does not netd any of t Popalariaing schemes to induce visitois to h« lovvn' B0 "9 m*Ti no steps taken tobriug about Ibis improve- J^ttCe *he Alexandra and other parks proved a ?J*Hy j u9naiier»ble attraction, and there were Prairies respecting a ban j wbicb would j, Various times duting tho day, but Pen- D°' yet any of these modern *>t'' but relies open ita oalnra) beautiea for itactiveaeas. 0ftr llfracombe. Jjj llfracombe correspondent telegraphed i.ro n^ay The weather is glorious, and of vihitort. The Council I* offi8Ded notices to ibe harbour master c,ala that tbe bye-lawa mnat be strictly la^'atrf0' 80 10 P'eveDt disorderly and Po'aons arriving by atoamers from H *.and entering the town. In order eteamelll can land their tjae- at once, aud tbna obviate the present tide a new landiug stage is being •• the pier, Swansea. IJ'fotia r*9 visitors were brongbt by tbe Q9 aUway companies into tbe town. Tbe ^Rtst j- ,awnspeople was also great, the excursion be'rR to B<i«tol to an, pasaengen booked. The only 4k*fl"ea #c,,otl was the football match between ^eifaat Collegiana, and tbia drew A,, Newport 8n "nnsuallv large Influx of vreitors Mt b<t* a,ltar,ed doubtless bv tbe football ^iai^'fcsuU'C° Poniypool and tbe P'ttniers, | .ted ia a sensational victor y for tbe t^aed li tbo aftelDooD ar-ctbet large crowd I *bl,0UB annual spring atbletio sport*. "I trnJli lets Were Ihe ordt-r of tbe evening at «r at Poole's Myiioraoia enter- thort ■e Ha"- Tbe convict tj^h*r8 JD the Old Dock, loo attracted large being po ted up several I ,fcd hniCa *be day. Meswrb Gampbell'a boat CooJ4' hundret,s of trippers to Weston, and NT. y. sought the seclusion of tbe I accijj street traffic waa well regulated, »list a;b| were repot ted A lady attend- ■Wli* *a«.K, sports. Miss Qobday, of Ponty- j aaatB''KhUy irjjnied hb the reault of a | ari(j 9 Jnt-d by Edmonds, the Bristol bv f_jP^'ypool spectator at tbe football Of,afew ,DS from one of the stand*, b^b- *Ce0bj Dav 8l" bruises. He was attended by hi.an:' was able afterwards to b,s friends.

».hMERTHYR- Don 1 Pt8Vai,ed at Blertbyr, and nred into the taara durine the I coarse of the day. The attractions were not by any meana numerous, the football match at Ptnydarren Patk being perhaps tbe chief, while tbe local bouses of entertainment were also well patronised. Dnring tbe morning the members of the United Irish League, who turned ont in large DOaabers, paraded the streets in regalia with their bands, while tbe annual pleasure fair at Cefu proved an attraction in the evening, Pontsarn and other rnral retreats secured their usual quota of visitors.

NEATH YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION. Tbe annual breakfast of tbe above association, "birb "al held iu tbe association gymnasium on tbe mot ling of Good Fiiday, was a great success. Tbe president (Mr W. G. LLifcberi) waa in Ibe cb.ir, and sopporting him were the Rev. John Dvmond, the Rev. Edwatd Morgan, Mr W. H. Da\id (soliiitoi), Mr J. Brooks Taylor, Mr Levi James, Mr J. T. Baiaes, Conncflljr E. S. I'tiillips, Mr Jobu Hemming, Mr Motgan R. Morgan, Mr J. W. P«ul Mr liobert Young, Mr r. D. Price, and Mr E. Kobeits. After break- faat tbe President delivered a stimulating speech, in which he made Hllaaion to the bequest of ussful books wbicb ha.d bet o made to the amoria- tion by the l«te Miss Boucher. Mr W. H. David, wbo was given a very be art, welcome, spoke npon 44 Tbankfuloe?B." He named the mltn, causes for hearty thankfulness, oae of tbe cbiif being the g( Men gift of Ide. Ibey aboulJ sho be thankful for the lind of their birth, which was indeed a goodly heritage. He inculcated the Importance of striving to revive the wholesome reverence wbicb cbasacteriaod tboir forefathers, and concluded a wise and weighty adiieas with an exhortation to show for others the fetluig which they desired for them>-6lvea. Tbe Kev. John Dynsood fallowed with an admirable address on Christian warfare. The proeeedinsi-, which were mosl enjoyable, closed with a com- pr ebenliive vote of thanks ivb'cii was spoken to by Mr J. Brooks Tajlor and Mr Levi James. At Portbcawl there was a record camber of visitors. The pictnreeaue little village of Gilwern was the rendezvous of bundieda of yiaitora on Bank Holiday. No attempt was made in tbe Forest to cater to the public desire for recreation. For very many years the brass band contest at Lydoey held the field, bnt that having failed tbe Fciestera betake IbearseUbB abtoad." The railway companies ran excursions to Bristol, Bath, Hereford, Gloucester, Cheltenham Strcud, CurdtS, and Newport, and bookings wete fair. The number of visitors patronising the Royal foieat WitS in excess of those in fosmei years. The numerous attractions hrought thousands of visitors to Pontypridd Easter Monday at Tenby wat an ideal day, and the town waa crowded with excursionists. During the afternoon rustic sports, which were attended by about 1,200 people, ware held on lieywooti-Iane groundon behalf of the district nursing faod when a most intere>ting and imnaiug programme of events was gone thiongh. On Friday night, at Brynmawr Market Hall, Libanna Band of Hope Choir gave a > splcndd performance of tbe Song of Creation. 'under tbe leadeiabip of Mr J. T. Roderick.

WELSH MORALITY. A Slander and Its Denial. Writing on tba Celtic genius in the April number of tbe Welsh Review," the Rev. E. Griffith Jones, B A., cf B-ilham (aon of the late liev. E. Adton Jones, of Munordei !o), temsrka — There is one shadow that mnat not be left out cf our picture. The Celtic nations ^ro charged by their neighbours witb following a lower aiandard of motaliiy in certain direction-) thdo prevails acrong the other races of oar Empire. Is this true 1 Must we confers to a loner reverence for truth, a less rigid sense of bosinlss honour, a proneness 10 bold tigbtly oor plikbted word ? To tbe charge of sexual loose- ness and imparity we mast enter a Btionj; pro- teat and denial. It is only -a iballow inference which fin is in the bate figure* of illegitimacy a pioof of lower sexual ethics. Vice may be in inverse ratio to its outward results; the test here is not illegitimacy bat organised or sur- reptitious harlotry, and of that 001 conntry was till recently peculiarly free and if tbero baa been in the great centres of population a recent development of the coarser passions, this ia the direct result of contact cf other peoples. The homes of our people have been pare for genera- tions the blood of the race has not been poisoned with the shocking and destructive disease that follows promiocoity and if the marriage tie has been alas I too often anti- cipated, this ia a totally different, and very much milder form of evil than tbe alternative vice which makes ceitain vice" in the great cities of England and of tbe Continent the grave of eo mocb of tbeir maDhood and tha ahameof ten tbonaanda of their daughters. None tbe leaa we must confess to certain cualoms in our conntry districts which are better honoured in tbe breach than the observance, and to a too- teady filtbmess of mind and speech which runa beneatb the fair and specious sniface of our national life. The best we can nay is that tbe"o cnatoms sra dying out, and that public opinion is ftowcingly atern ia the endeavour to snppresa them. How fir the fiequent cbaige of a low and unatable ideal of a business morality is tine I do not personally feel at )e to determine. Bat I must cunlall to coosMer able appiehension that there is more truth in tbe charge than one carea to contemplate. It is Jt;rtaioly.. stnbboro preju. dice- if prt judioe it be—that tbe Celtic tem- perament is everywhere prone to a certain ethical slipperiness and plausibility. If so, here is a vice which strikes at Ibe root of life and it would be well if instead of furioatly denying it as is the custom, we were to set about mendir g oar ways. Whatever qualities of the Anclo-Saxon we may repudiate, let us reverence bis iuboln seose of honour, bis atraightfor ward rectitude, his willingness to swear to bis own heart without changing.

BOARDS OF GUARDIANS. Newport. At Saturday's meeting of Newpoit Guardians, Mr T. Dntfield presiding, a motion in favour of appointing a gentleman oil Ie to epeak tbe Welsh language, instead of Mr Bircbam, Local Govern- ment Board inspector, whose impending resigna- tion wall announced, waa cllrÙed on tbe motion of Mi R. T. Jimes, Bassaleg, seconded by tbe Kev. D. B Jonea, Caerleon. [t waa reported that tbe nnmber of tramps relieved duting the paat fortnight waa 502, com- pared with 476 ia tbe corresponding period of last year 125 bad been Bent o the lodging- houses at Ee,vport owing to insufficient accom- modation at tbe casual ward, A committee wbicb bad considered a sugges- modation at tbe casual ward, A committee wbicb bad considered a sugges- tion by Mr Bucham that tbe board abould inquire into the question of rearranging tbe relief districts reported that they did not consider it necessary at present to re-arrange tbe lelief districts or to appoint an additional relieving t fficer, bot alter careful examination of tbe statement of relief paid in tho various die* tricts they suggested that the Northern Relief Committee should carefully go through their esses, and endeavour to bring tbe relief given in some claesoh more in accordance with the Bcale prevailing in tbe other district. The committee b^vsng discussed the question of the appointment of » cross visitor resolved thst having regard to the fact that Mr J. H. Gtiffiths' dunes bad been tomewbat diminished by the removal of the borough lunatics to Caer- leon, M: Griffiths be required to make inquiries into any cases of relief when directed to do 80 by any 01 the Relief Commit teea through tbe clerk. MERTHYR. A meeting of tbe Merthyr Beard of Gaardians waa held on Salnrday Mr John Rt gets, chair- man, pre&idinp.. Mr David Evans moved that tbe board take attpa to support the efforts of the Leigh Union to hold a conference of Poor [Jaw Unions to consider the financial side of the vaccination question with a view to having the Acta imen led and tbeorder of the Local Govern- ment Board tbereon, and tba.t delegates be ap- pointed to attend tbe conference. lie pointed out that the coat of vaccination had increased very largely, and that it was a matter for care- ful consideration. The motion waa carried. The Clerk statedtbattbnConnty Council precept amounted to JE16,505 14s 4d, which showed an increase of £ l00 on tbo corresponding year.

MOTOR BUS BLOWN UP. An Edinburgh motor-omnibns plying betwoen Trenent and Levenhall has been completely wrecked as the result of an explosion. Whilo the vehicle waa parsing Biralie plantation, on the wsy to Levenball, tho machinery became overheated. The driver, dward Dowsett, warned by the smell cf burning, stopped, and the conductor, ronnins forward, 1 ffctd the co\er of the engine and nan flames. Witu remarkable promnttodo he ordired the pasaengars to dis- moni t. This bad jutt been deno, and tbe driver bad got cleat, wlien a violent explosion took place. The petrol t" ok centalni «»g 16 gallons bad brnt; the whole body of the machine went up in the air, the telephone wires overhead being wrecked by tbe flying fragments of iron. Fortunately no person waa injured, but the vehicle waa reduced to aorap iron.

HAVERFORDWEST GRAMMAR SCHOOL Presentation to the Headmaster. The tetiring headmaster of Haverfordwest Grammar School, Mr J. 8. 0 Tombs. M.A., bas been presented by the told boys with a pair of silver candlesticks, a porlle of gold, eigbt volumes of classical literature, and anillnminated address, expiessing tbeir high appreciation of bia great and valuable services to the cause of education. Tbe piesentatioo was made by Mr R. D. Lowless, town clirk of Pembroke, and Professor W. J. Roberts, ol Cardiff, and Mr R. VfiJliams, of Solva, two first olaasmen of Oxford, spt ke in tbe highest terms of what Ibey owed to the reboot under Mr Tombs' beadmastersbip. Mr Tombs, in accepting the gifts, made allusion to some of tbe many eac;es»eB obtained bv old boye of the school, and to the valuable exhibition and prizes founded by Dr. Henry O«von, and prizes given annually by General George Harries, U.S~A., and by the representatives of the )ate Bisbon of lilandaff. Sir Owen Sconrfield, Bart., and Mr James Thomas, J.P., governors of the school, and Mr H. T. P. Williams, chairman of Ibe governing body, aleo spoke in complimentary terms of Mr aud Mra Tombs. Mr Williams said Mr Tombs possessed tbe fnll confidence of tbe governors of the ashoot, and be would carry with him tbeir best wiabes to bia new fipbere of work at Datham. in Jhoii

SHOP ASSISTANTS. The Annual Conference. I COMPULSORY EARLY CLOSING. Living-in System Condemned. CARDIFF MAN AS PRESIDENT. (By Onr Special Representative.) The 15th annual conferenco of the National Union of Shop Assistants wan opened in tb3 Wharncliffe Rooms of the Great Central Hotel, London, on Sunday. Aboat200 del-gates are prwent, inrluding a veiy strong contingent from South Wales, which bas fjr many years enjoyed the rtpuiatiou of being tbe stronehcld of the organisation. Mr Joseph Chambeil-siu exDresaed the cpinton some years ago that sbop aB^isianta could not be or- ganiard on Trade Union Imps. It was one of Mr ^bambeilam's maoy tniscalcnltuions. The Trade Union of the men and women of the counter lennws its strength year after year in a. remar k. Lie manner, pin g np its members and its funds with bnsino^fl ke preciiiou, whilst Its ,i activities are no mean force tn the general Labour movement, with which it is dastly identified. Most of the delegates present are yonng men between 25 and 30 years of age, and they are in the filet flUdb,80 to speak, of the new hope which a sense of growing ttiengtb brings. The ladies of tbe shop are represented by several fair delegates, whoso earnestness and enthu- siasm are equally noticrafcte. In another room of the hotel an internat onal congress ia being held, %t which delegates from Fr»n;e, Spain, Belgium, Auatria, and other lands are discussing in tbeir respective languages the grievances common to shop workers the woild over. Aho- gether it ia a nnique reunion. PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. The iucoming president of the National Union is a Cardiff man, Mr W. H. Monis, wbo waatnttattedia the chair amid cbeeis, In his presidential address Mr Morris commented on the meeting of international delegate", and said they had all met for one common object, the consolidation of fbop woikera' interests atid the betterment of employment rbe world over. Fc hoped the time woald speodily ariiva when all classes of workers of all nations would be federated in the interests of peace, so that humanity oiigbt enjoy to the full tbe privileges of social and political freedom It was a matter of pride lo shop assistants that in tbe great awakening of labour at the General Election a pant president of their Union, Mr J. A. Seddon, the member for Newton, LaDcFI. had defeated an avowed enemy of Trade Unionism. Mr Seddon bad promised that the interests of sbop woikers would bo the guiding spirit of bia Parliamentary life. During the year the Union had conferred with the Co-operative Employees' Union on the need for closer unity, and be believed the way had been paved for the nliimate amal^Hmation 01 both societies. The conditions of cmuloymont in Co-ovelat,ve Stores were very l'ttle better than those obtaining in private aud limited lia- bility firma. The utter failnre cf the Sbopnoars* Act of 1904 bad,said Mr Motrin, proved that the opposi- tion of the Union to pormi^ive eaily closing legii lation was based on P, lid grounds. Not a sintl- order applicable to 111 irades had been put in operation in any part of the ci-untiy. He hoped the Home Secretary's ic-i ly to Mr Crooks in tbe House of Commons recenily was Dot an indication of tbe atttt ude of tbe Jovernment on tbe Union's propoa"l, for a compulsory measure with a definite I mitation of the bouts of trading to 60 a week. Nothing short of this woold effect tbe desired reform. The action of the Govern- ment in appointing a Committee to inqnire into the working of the Trm-k Acts and the living-in systems in abops was of great importance. The pavment of assistants' wagon piirilv m board and lodging was a violation of Truck 1liw, and the conditions under wfich this lysitra flourished were snch that if it were possible !O bring out in full the evilt and the abases of living in the ccur.tiy would ring with indignation. The eys- tern should be made illegal, ani, meanwhile, the Public Hexltb and Lodging Houses Acts should be extended to sbop dormitories to give Bbop assistants the same protection as the tramp. To the discredit of the co-operative move- ment," the President remarked, the living-in system is permitted by a committee of woiking men at Tieorchy, Wales." Refeierce waa made to the exclusion of shop assistants and Hoiks from the new Compensation Bill as a great injnstice to a Urge class. Guarantee bonds w-re, be continued, issued to large firms by ceraiD socia: ies which managers of branch sbopa were expectad to sign, and the premiums on which they were compelled to pliV The-a bonds insured fiims against loss by shortages in stock, bad book debts, etc. He cited several cases intended to prove that tbe guarantee societies'methods of busic, ea were oppressive, Sbop assistants, the pres cient CJI) inned, would have to fgbt this and other gtievancea. He waa in bsarty agreement with the demanj among the members for a militant policy. Whilst agreeing that it was necessary to enter t-nto alliance with other woikers for political Botion, anJ while re- cognising that they could eecure some reforms through Parliament, he was convinced that tbeir economic freedom could only be obtained by sound organisation and by tbe adoption of a vigorous Trade Union policy. (Applause,) Annual Report. The genera! secretary, Mr James Macpherson, presented the annnal report and balance-sheet. The report stated that last yeKr had been moie satisfactory financially than 1904. an increase of £ 2,283 being shown to the credit, of the Provident Fund, which had a balance of £16,245. A sum of £ 10,686 waa paid out in benefits during Ibe year, including 52 marriage portions 10 women and 31 death claims. Tbo total income of tbe Union was £ 23,236, compared with JEt9,235 the previous yenr. The membership waa 17,238, comprising 14,088 men and 3,150 women enrolled in 370 branches. Cardiff Central maintained Its reputation is tbe premier bl"DCh in the Union with a member-hip of 332. Leeds coming second with 287, and O^ford-atieet, London, third with 282 Rtforenjo was made tj three small diapntes I during the year, two of which occnned ii Sooth Wales—one fit Swansea and one at Dowlsis. La all cases satisfactory settlements ware effected. Two hundred and sixty-Dine legal caBea were I dealt with, the largest namber of these ba,ing reference to notice or wages in lieu of Dotice. The time is not far distant," tlHt report says, when the Union must adopt a strong constrac- tive policy in order to cope witb the great volume of thought, getting ripe for action, which has been created by our propaganda work doling tbe lust 12 years." Tbe remainder of tbe sitting was occupied fn discussing proposed amendments to rule?. In tbe evening the delegates were entertained at a The remainder of the sitting was occupied fn Tbe remainder of tbe sitting was occupied fn discussing proposed amendments to rule?. In tbe evening the delegates were entertained at a reception by the London District Council of tbe Union. -I I Mr W, H. Morris, Prosidem of tbo Shop Assistants' Conference. (Photo bv A. and G. Taylor, Cardiff.) Mr W. H, Morris, tbo new president of the Natiooal Amalgamated Union of Sbop Assis- tants, Warebousemt n, and Clerk, bas for over 11 years given solrd and strenuous work to the cause of Trade Unionism. A native of Glouces- ter, aged 38. be has for 16 years been in the eo," ploy of Oliver's, the well-known boot fitm, 15& years as manager. For 54 yellS he Bas at Haverfordwest. He is at present stationed at Cardiff. Mr Morria soon identified himself with Trade Unionism, and his ability, organising capacity, and zaal attracted tbe attention of bia colleagues. Ha was appointed chairman of the Canton biancb, and for five years was a me Tiber of the Central Branch Committee. Then he became secretary of tbe South Wales District Council and then chairman. Last year be waa honoured with tbe vice-preaidency of the National Union of Sbop Assistants. Now he is president -a position which does him infinite ciedit and is striking evidence of the esteem and confi ienee in which be if held by the members of the Union. FOI tbermole, it is a fictiDg jecognitica of bia services on behalf of sbop assistants. Mr Morria, who ia married, is member of tbe Catdiff Trades and Labour Council. Speech by Mr Seddon, M.P. Speaking at a reception given by the London Diatrict Council to the deloaateB of the National Union of Shop Assistants, at the clone of Sunclay's proceedings, Mr J. A. Seddon, M.P., an ex-president of the Uoion said the gathering this year waa epach-making. It celebrated the fraternity of sbop workera in all European countries. The spirit of the conference also showed that the dnobbiabness which had charac- teriaed their class was giving way to a Rerious and determined spirit of revolt against existing conditions. One of the foreign delegates ex- preused similar views. Sbop Honrs Amendment Bill. On the resumption of buaiaesn on Monday morning Mr W. tl. Morris, Cardiff, presiding, a lively discussion tcok place on the fntrue legislative policy of the Union. Owing to the failure of the Sbop [Ioors Act. 1904, the Exe- cutive Committee lecommended the introduc- t4ioo into the Roaee of CommOUlt-of an amending Bill, makitg it compulsory on local authorities to make closing orders, while empowering tbem to refer the question to tho ratepayer, l'be Bill fixes the hours ot closing and providea that no poraon aball be employed in or about a shop lot more than 60 hours a week. The recommendation was formally moved by the president, the principal aupportera in- I oludmg tbe general secretary (Mr James Macpherson), Messta A.. Parr, Cirdiff;G. P. Roberts, Pontypridd II. H. licper, Lincoln. An amendment waa proposed by Loiceater branch inatiuctiog the pew executive to draft a Bill to limit the hours of labour in shops to 60 per week without any provision for the closing of abopa. Thia was&apported by Mr Ben Wilaoo, Bradfoid; Mr W.T. Kees, Cardiff, and otbera, it being con- tended that a limitation of hours waa tbe only proper lioes for a Trade Union to follow. The Union had to meet the growing oppoaition of small tradeia to any propoaala lor closing shops. On a ballot being taken tbe sinendment wae defeated by 7,350 votes againat 6,60L Amalgamation of Uniona. A report was presented atating that an ottdeis stacdiDP bad been arrived at between the Nniion»i Union and Union for joint action on quuat ona affecting abop assistants, and it waa recommended that farther joint meetinRa be held to consider tbe feasibility of federation on general policy. Mias Griffiths and Mr IV. T. Rees, Cardiff urged that the Un ou abould diiect ita efforsa to secure tbe amalgamation ol both societies in piefeionce to federation. The Living-in Syatem. A resolution waa passed condemning the living-in system, and noting with satisfaction that the Government had appointed a Special Committee to inqui.-e into the Truck Acta, and ita relaiion to ibe system ot boardiDg and lodg- ing employees ia bouaea of bo ioeaa. A Bir- mingbem delogate moved an adieodum to the effoct that the Union should givo moral aud financial support to members wbo refuaed to accept employment where living-in prevailed. Tbi. secured only two or three aupp«rtera. Farther resolutions were paeBed condemning agreements, especially thoao wbicb prevented asB!8tants Irom earning a Jiving witbin a pre- scribed radiaa of 8[.Y particular shops, and which insured the employer against loaa at tbe expense of the poody paid managers oraHiat- ant. A Mare Militant Organisation. Tbe most inteiesting diacuasion of the day waa on at important resolution moved by ftlisa Ellis, Haulty, that tho Union ahoald take Bttpl to orgariae on more miltiant lino*,and recommending >ncb alterations of rales as will substitute the policy of securing shop life reform by Trade Union mothoda for that of reform by Parlumeniary legislation. On H vote being taken the resolution was carried by 69 against 54. Speech by Mr Seddon, M.P. Mr J. A. Seddon, M.P., wbo WI., among the visitots, in the course of a short addreaa. said sbop aeaistanta cboald not expect too much from Parliament in the way of a limitation of the boars of labour in shops. He bad found con- s'derable sympathy among all parties in tbe House of Commons with the grievances of shop assistants, but there Wae a strong feeling againet interfering s\iib adult labour. He be- lieved tbe Government was seriously in earnest in tbeir desire to do Booiething to lesson the evil* inevitable to tbe living-in system, and a majority of the members in tbe House were in favour of including shop assistants and clerka in the Workmen's Compensation Act. (Applause.) Other Business. A resolution waa Dassed deploring the great inflax of provincial assistants to London, •' with the reault that assistants earn- ing fllilJy gov-d Wngeg are displaced by othere wbo accept lower wages, inferior food, nud insufficient accommodittioo under tbe living- in system in order to gajn ib0 doubtful advan- tage of London exoerience." A motion submitted by the Pontypiifd branch to change the came of the aociety from tbe National Amalgamated Union of ShopAsaia- tants, Warehousemen, and Clerka to tbo National Union of Shop Assistants was defeated. Tbe conference entered an ampbalic protest against the exclusion of shop woikera from the Workmen's Compensation (Amending) Bill, and called apon the Labour party to use every meana in its power to secure their inclusioo. The demand for the abolition of Sunday trad- ing in the distributive trades waa affirmed with- out opposition. It was reported that there were present At the conference 257 accredit repreaentatives from 281 br-ncbes, representiDR II) 210 members. Mr H. fl. t,Per« ^'ncoln, was elected vice- pieiident by an overwhelming majority of votea. Mr creo'ga Ware, London, treasurer, and Mr A. Tyler, Gloucester, trustee. Mr C. P. Huina. £ *eatht was elected nnopD0ae(j executive mem- ber for South Wales and Shropshire. Sir C. Dilkeon Shop Hours. Sir Charles Dilke, speafcjng at the dinner of tba Nutiiusl Amalgamated "Union of Shop Assistants, said he was not sure that tho confer- ence bad done right in entrusting to him only the smaller measure with regard to shop hoara. No privatb membotcotitdhopetopaaaaBit) in tbe present condition of the House cf Commona, but a larger measure would bave aa mach chance Rg a small one. They should pieua tbeir BJ1 on the Government and peck to make it si Govern- ment meaaure. rr"

FUNERAL OF MR DAVID EVANS. Interment at Llandaff. The fnneral of the late Mr David Evans, of theE.Rie Foundry, Llandaff North, took placo on Saturday afternoon, and waa largely attended by repreeentativeB of the public bodies with wlncc deceased bad been connected, and by personal friends and others. The cortege, con- aisting of an open bearae and throe coaches, witb rn?r'vata can'aRea, wa# beaded by the TJin- daff Fire Brigade, under Foreman Payne (in tho unavoidable absence of Capt. Lucas), and a large nnmber of gentlemen on foot, and waa followed by representatives of the Llandnff and Powi. Rnral Diatrict Council, tbe Han- daff Parish Council, thu Cardiff Board of Guard- ians, and tbe Wbitcburcb Pllrish Council, amongst those present b*ilng Messrs Kobert Forrest, J P., !1. Warren, W. Hopkins, R. Owen, Oliver Williams, Richard Williams, E. Jer.lutJs, Eli Rea. William Evens, J P. Moses, T. Thomas, S. H. Jones, aod T. Evans (district and pnrisb couneiIIOIB), the Rev. J. Wil'iams, Messrs S Mildon, P. J. Beavan. W. Lewii. —. Sutherland. A. J Hariris, T. Stephenson, and J. Cox (Boltld of Guardians). Dr. Pritehatd MeMra T. W. Da/id, R. L. Basset (Waterball). E. Thomas (Coillton), B. Parsons (Pendoylan), F. Hopkins St. Nicholas), T Cram (Dinas Powis), G. J. Edwards, T. Tbotnaa (Canton), D. Ed- wards (Barry), L. Llewellfn, J^b Llewellyn, E. Jenkins (Maenilecb), W. Holdeu (IIllrveyol), Tom Reea (overt-eer), A H Bollock, Tom Eva tin, R. Davies, Gomer Morgan (Pontyclui ), n. L..Good- >er, William Lewis, E. Phi)rpt, (Tyclyd), J. Reee, R. T. Jones, E. W illiams, Frud Williams, arid W. Rees. The chief mourners were Mr D. B. IT Evans (son of the deceased), Mr 8amuol Evan», Neath (brother), Messra A J. Hybart, E. David, J. L. Li-ea, U. Glass (sons-in-law), D. Thomas, T. Thomas, W. Hammett, and C. D gbt. Between twenty and tbhty of tha deceased B employees also walked in tbe proces- sion, and acted aa be«iers. The Reva. J. R. Buckley (vier of Llnndaff) and Hugh Willian s (Llandaff Yard) officiated, tbe service taking place in the Lsdy Ctupel of Llandaff Cathedral, andthetntermeotiathe Cathedral graveyaid. Tbe coffin was of Euelillb oak witb panelled top, fitted with heavy brass nionnting», and tbo grave, a bricked one, was lined wtth moss in which lijieu, hyacinths, and other flowers were entwined. AmongBt a large number of beautiful wrealhB were tributes of esteem from tbo members tod officers of the Llandaff and Dinag Powiø Rorel District Council, tbe employees of the Eablo ronndry, the members of the Crown Preserved Coal Companv's Workmen's Sick and Benefit society, and Messts Eamaods and Radley, Ltd. The Innetallllrllngenumtli were carried out by Mr Auguatine J. Stone, Cardiff.

HIGHER EDUCATION. Position of Rhondda Under the New Bill. In tbe Rbondda VaUey considerable iotereet is taken in the clause ia tbe new Education Bill wbeieDy non-ccunty borongba and nrban die. tiicts with a population of 50,000 may apply foraproviaionaiotderveating iu them the ad- niii istiaiion of higher education. Itiaofpar- tinjur interest 10 recall the fact that the Rhondda Education Jommitfee, acting on tbe advice of the clerk, Mr W. P. Nicholas, initiated a movement witb a view to concerted action be- ing taken on the Dart of authorities affected. The result was a confeience bold in London of du'egations from the various authorities in Febtuarv last, when a deputation was appointed to wait npon Mr Birrell. The depotation Walt received by Mr Lough, M.P., to whom the Mavor of Hornsey, the couference chairman, aud Mr W. P. Nicholas (clerk to the Hbondda authority) submitted tbe ca..o respectively of tbe non-county boroughs and large urban areas, pointing out tbe d fficalties arising from the working of tbe Education Act of 1902 in this connection, tbe case of the Rbondda beinc instanced in point where, owing t) a misonder- attending between tbe County Council and the Rbondda Education Committee, evening eon- tinuation classes were abandoned for two years. If tbe clause quoted is letaiced in tbe piesent measure it will be open for the Rhondda and alao for the Merthyr authorities- tbe only two admidistrative bodies with a sufficient popula- tion in South Walea-to apply fot a provisional order empoweiing tbem to deal with eeeondary as well as with elementary education.

NANTYMOEL WOMAN'S BABY. Catherine Thomas, single woman, 23, Biook- tand-terrace. Nantymcel, summoned Jobn Sex- IOn., colliery haulier, of Morgan-Street, Aberdare, at Bridgend Police Court on Satarday to show cause. Mr David Llewellyn repre- sented tbe complainant, wbo aaid that defendant was the father of ber female child, born on the 23rd of December. He bad kept company with her and promiaed to marry ber, but the new refused to accept bim. becanseahe bad beard something about bim wbich had caused ber to think tbat be would ill- treat ber. She had received letters from Sexton admitting tbe paternity. Defendant's sister went into tb.o witness-box. and caid she had written these letters at the dictation of ber brother, who did net deny tbe paternity. AD order of 2a 6d a wonk and coite "M v-> '•

I MEETING AT CYMMER, PORTH. Clauses Explained by the Agent. A meeting of tbe Cymmer. Porth, colliery hauliers was held on EaAter Monday to consider tbe new agreement. Mr D. Walta Morgan, agent, dealt with each elanse. Questioned as to the position of the men work- ing nnder tbe Ocean standard, he said thrt nnder whatever ba"ift or standard tbe men now worked the net result under the new agreement was tbat where dooting was done sway with the wages must be made up to 4a 11 80d ibis was the minimum below wbicb nooeof the day banliera would be paid, though in some cases tbeir wages might be more. Several qae-iiona were pat to Mr Morgan with regard to tbe overtime clause, and be observed that the men's representatires had to agree to a limitation being placed witb regard I to overtime. The owners wanted to tie tbe men down to nine hours, but tbe men's represents- ( tives blankly refused tbia, but ultimately tber bad to agree to tbe limit of six hours. What the miner's leaders were figbling for was the securing of an advanced standard rate of pay to the men, wbo abonld beeiven a reasonable wage based on Trade Union principles, and sa WII!! tbe case with every other iodastrvi time and a balf was allowed for overtime. He wished to impress upon tbe meeting the fact thttnoderthenew agreement tbere was no compulsion npon anyone wot king overtime unlets the owners made it worth the while of the men todoao. Tbe otject of tbo chaoge was to prevent iriegularity of woik, but provided Ibe men worked regularly, and could give gocd reason for being abreot then it was not intended tbat tbere should be any change of the pieeeut system io thi* respect Tbo men abould not attach too much importance to this question of overtime. As a matter of fact tbe employers were not at all favourable to tbe new agreement, bat it could be seen that it was not far distant before overtime would be done away with altogether; and be would welcome this. Ii had been a stumbling block in tbo way of bringing about an improve- ment in the conditions of the hanlierx. Where woald tbey be altar overtime bad been done away with? At many collieries even at preient there was no overtime. In the course of the negotiations, too, the men's rtpresentatives bad been considerably hampered in thtir efforts at raising tbe standard rale of wages owing to tbe emplovera utilising to tbeir advantage this mat- ter of overtime. He should like to see the men refusing to do overtime except whore thia was absolutely necesairy Mr Morgan next dealt witb the importance of Clause 8 of the agreement, wbbå was considered to be the great protective clause. Publicity had not, he pointed out, been given to tbe valno and import of this particular clanae, for by it waa tetained all and any privileges wbicb were ple- viously enjoyed by any section of the hauliers. At Bome collieries in tbe Rbondda a namber of allowances were given the hauliers to make up their wage*, and Clause 8, for wbish they bad to fight, bad been expressly incorporated in tbe agreement with a view to tbe retention of tbeio privileges. Any bonuses, or b tlf turns, or allow- ances made, and in some pit* tbeae amounted to 4s or 5* per fortnight for certain considerations, wonld all be reserved to tho men, and moat be paid tbem in future as had been the case iu the past under a special arrangement oiade between themsel¡eø "0[1 the management. Bat in addition to retaining these privileges ths men's repreaentatives bad jucceeded in miking tbe employers toe tbe line in the direction of fixing a minimnm wage, the advancement of the ataodard rate of pay, and the recognition of a universal praotice. Witb regard to boys, tbeir services would gradually be done away witb, bat be assured II them tbe lads would be provided for. As to the fears expressed that coLiora would have to take the boys, tbia would be entirely at tbe option of the colliers whether the boys worked with tbem or pot. was not then at liberty to give pub- licity to tbe mailer, bdt provision would be m-tde for the boys (thereby the, woold be given better, more suitable, and Iltrer employment. Witb regard to Clause 7, Mr Morgan said it mnnt be clearly understood tbat even where con- tract rates now existed wbeie tbero were door- boys, and the hauliers agreed with the manage- ment lo do away with tbem, the 6d per day was lob- added for every day that the hauliers worked. Provided no injury waa done to tbe boys, and that the hantterawontd be relieved of responsibility in connection witb dooring, it was not very important or material to tbe hauliers if tbey were day wage men and received a fair day's wage, whether tbey were eneaeed daring tbe day in dooring or driving or shackling and deprived 01 tbe boys tbey would not be expected to bring oot 80 much C()H!. Tbe orillioaløY!ltem with regaid to boys waa that each banlier waa to be provided with a boy, but wilb the exception of Abergorky and tbe Ocean Collieries theie was no cOIJiery in tbe Rhondda tn-day where b ys ] travelled about witb tbe hauliers. The custom had been giadnally encroached npou, and at first tbe hauliers were paid Is forwoikmg without the boys. Questioned aa t3 these allowances, Mr Morgan explained tbat it bad been very difficult to get tbe owners to admit tbe principle of making any allowance to tbe night hauliers for woiking without boys, aa night httaliers had not been accustomed to get any allowances in this connecti< tJ. except in a few exceptionul cases. Continuing, Mr Morgan contended that tbe dictates of humanity should make them less averse to changin? tbe occupation of boys when it was borne in mind that, with the exception of bitcbeis, the namber of fatalitiee showed that tbedoor boys' occupation was the moa! dangerous in tbe ccllierv, tbo namber of fatal cases during the last ten years being no less than 5 34 per cent. Some little incoovenience might be fell at tbe commencement, he said, but it was not iniended to dispense with tbe services of the boya nntil June ht. latei if It were found necesaar y to postpone the date in cer tain caa> s. At the Cambrian Coiliede". two years ago, 200 boys were given other employment, and it ba1 been proved tbat Ibey were mncb better off. UndeA t be new agreement, those working under tbe 1879 standard would be benefited to tbe extent of about 1B per day, whilst those working nnder the 1877 etandard would benefit pro- portionately. When tbe agreement catre into operation tbe hanlie'a' wages all over tbe coal- field would be 4s 11-801 per day. The meeting resolved by a majority of three, a namber remaining neatial, to isk the manage- ment to allow tbe men to work under tbe old agreement until tbe matter was farther explained and considered. Meeting at Llwynypia, The hauliers at tbe Glamorgan Collieries, Llwynypia, beld a meeting at tbe Hippodrome, Tonypandy, on Saturday uvenini;, when Mr David Thomas, haulier, presided. Messrs J. P. Kent, Barlon, and J. Granville, cbeckweigbers, explained tbe terms of tbe new agreement, Much diaaatisfaction waa manifested, as hitherto tbe hauliers had been allowed a balf turn for two boora* work per evening, whereas now they would only be Qutited to one turn for tbrce evenings' work of two boars each. It waa decided to adjourn thu meeting until Mr D. Watta Morgan ahoald personally attend and explain mattera folly. Meeting at Ynysybwl. A mass meet ng of tbe night and day baoliers of the Ludv Windsor Colliery, Ynysvbwl, was beld on Saturday night, when Mr Ben Davies, miners' agent, attended to explxin the cliooses of tbo new agret ment. The operation of tbe agree- ment, said Mr Davies, would increase the standard of wages at this colliery by 2&d per day and inclading tbe money for dooring It would mean about 3s 6J per w<?etr. In the case of eeveratyonng mei above" 18 years of aga it would resale in an immediate advance of abont Is per day. One of tbe hauliers compiained that tbe tarn allowed for shackling and dividing trams would be done away with by tbe new agreement, and tbat henceforth they wonld have to work three boars' overtime instead of a maxi- mum of two hoars be'ore receiving a half-turn's pay. Mr Davies replied tbat some privi- leges enjoyed by a few of the workmen, such as tboee enumerated, wonld be discontinued nnder tbe new regime, bat whereas the few wonld suffer Bligbtly, all tbe other men would benefit. On tbe question of whether tbe working of over- time was optionil, Mr Davies promised to obtain legal advice. Tbe meeting wad finally adjourned for n week to enable one of the workmen'* sub committee, wbo drafted tbe agreement, to attend and fartber explain ita provisions. Dissatisfaction at Ci Ifynydd. Mr Evan Thomas, Rhymney, and Mr T. Harries, Tytorstown, attended a mass meeting of the Cilfynydd workmen on Satnrdav night, and daring their explanation of the provisions ol tbe new agreement tbey *ere subjected to numeioas interruptions signifying the men's dissatisfaction upon several of tbe points. Mr Thomas advised tbe men to loyally abide by tbe agreement, and aasated tbem that in six months theywoniddifcover that tbey woold be bo ter off. W ilh reference to dispensing with dootboya. the objection raised mere sentiment, because the management bad promised to find them other employment at all the collieries atlected by tbe change. At many coliieriss no dooiboys were engaged at pretent. The agreement waa based ontbepunopteof doing away with woiking overtime, and tbe aub-commitiee appoiott-d to deal with the matter beld tbe opinion that,given a fair day's wage, overtime was unnecessary. Tbe meeting was adjourned until Monday, Apiil 26ib, 10 enable Mr Watts Morgan to attend. In tbe meantime, tbe men will continue to woik nnder tbe old scale. Measrs Thomas and Harries note thanked for tbeir attendance and clear explanations.

WESTERN VALLEYS MINERS'COUNCIL Recommendation to Hauliers. The president (Mr W. H Jones, Aberbeeg occupied tbe chair at tbe montbly meeting of the above Council at Abertillery on Saturday. Tbere was a large attendance, including the agMnt (Mr W. Brace, M.P.). The assistant agent (Mr M. Roach) reDorted that as a result of an interview with a deputation, tbe management of tbe Cwmtillery and Rose Hey worth Collieriea (Lancaster's Steam Coal Collieries Co., Ud.) bad agreed to rectify a grievance that workmen after being idle tbroogh illness had been relneed work Tha Council, bv 16 votes to eight, rejected a. motion from tbe Cwmtillery and Roae Hey- worth lodges in favour of appointing a per- manent agent at a salary of JB156 per annum in Ibe placo of Mr W. Brace, M.1. for South Gla. morgan. Mr W. Brace reported on tbe bilnliera. new wags agreement, and tbe Council passed a resolution recommending tbo hauliers cf the Western Valleys to continue at work nnder tbe old late* »ntl conditions until tbe agreement b88 been explained, and an arrangement come to beiween the men'a leaders and the respec- tiyeeoitierymanagera. Association Quarterly Meeting. On Saturday tbe 67tb quarterly meeting of the Monmouthshire and South Wales Colliery Eoginemen, Stokera, and Surface Craftsmen a Association was held at tbe Acgel Hotel, Car. diff, under tbe presidency of Mr Jacob Morgana, Danbrajach. Tbere were also present Meaari W. Hopkins, agent *V. Boaley, treasurer and W. Woosnam, general secretary and organiser. On tbe roll being called 50 delegates responded repreFentinx an aggregate membership of 5,650. Tbe financial statement showed that the receipts were much in excess of the expenditnre, and a substantial sum w*s transferred to the reserve fund. The organiser also atated that two addi- tional brnncbea bad been formed during tbe msrter, which would mike a total of 52 brancboi, and that applicatioua bad reached him for per. mis»ion to eai&blish other biancbea. The Agent reported at great length npon the various matters of disputea which bad been dealt with, and in a number of instance" be bad suc- ceeded in obtaining improved conditions for tbe members at several collieries. In reference to coupeoBation c'aims upwards of .£],250 in tbe aggregate b.d been secured to members daring tbe quarter in consequence of injuries. In two fatal cases the maximum amount of .£.300 was paid, and in two othets JE281 7a and JE165 respectively. One weekly claim in respect to tbe los^ of an eye was com- muted, tbe injured person being paid a lumpeum of JE105. On the motion of tbe Mountain Ash Biancb the rules were amended, whereby the Executive Council would in future be empowered to invest tbe lunds of the association in tbe various ways mentioned in tbe rules. By the alteration it will avoid tbe necessity of con- vening a conference for loeb purpose. The recommendatian of tbe Executive Council to g<ant a funeral allowance cf £5 from the aaxiliary fond where the death of a member resulted from an accident wat not adopted. The tiustees reported upon tbe progreaa made by tbem 10 ensure a site at Pontypridd whereon to build a bouse and offices to canyon the basineas of the association. Subsequent to a lengthy dia- costi n tbe trustees, in conjunction with the Council, were instructed to proceed witb tbe matter fortbwiib. It was resolved that a sum of £ 2,000 be withdrawn from tbe banking account Bodiuvetted in property at the lale of 5 per coat, per annam.

DISPUTED RIGHT OF WAY. The Riot Act Read. Local excitement o/er disputed public rights at Leckhamcton-hill, Cbeltenham, led to such a tuibulent scene on Good Fiiday evening that a magistrate waa called in by tbe police and the Riot Act read. Many of tbe inhabitants claimed a right to roam at will over tbe bill, but, tbe land having been purchased for quarrying, the new owner built a workman's cottage npon it. and blocked several fences. Twice the fences bad been destroyed, and on tbe last occasion bui ned, tbe fire also involving tbe cottage. The matter went to law, tbe case for the poklic being taken np by tbe local aatborities. Mr Justice Swinfsn E&dy decided that certain will-de- fin, d public paths to tbe top of tbe hill bad been proved, bat not a right to roam. Accoidingly theowcerofthe ,bill fenced in the paths on I either side with high rustic raila. On Good Friday, according to custom, thou- sands of people made their way to tbe hill. Some men, wbo had championed the popular cause, for which three of tbem bad already snffeied imprisDumsnt, constituted themselves leaders, and after haranguing the crowd forced an open- ing through tbe railings. Finally tha fence waa foiced doan with a crash, and aoon its staves wers al laze, brushwood adding to the fary of tbe Cames. A move wall then made to tbe newly- erected cottage, bnt hI re the aggressors were met by a strong body cl police. Stonea ware thrown, smashing tbe windows, and a pel ceman's btimet waa knocked to tbe ground byawell-directedsbot The interference of the police raised the anger of the crowd. Mr G. B. Wilts, a ja»tice of tbe peace, Appealed ia vain to tb<% mob to disperse. The cottage door gave way under a twice-renewed assault, and so tbe ringleaders asserted tbeir right to traverse the spot on which tbe building stands. Hearty rbeeis greeted this piece of bravado, whereupon the magistrate, in a lond voice, read tbe proclamation order the Riot Ast, made in the first year of King George I." King George was dead long sgo," was one of the jeering com- ments passed upon ft bat tbere was felt to be DO need for further destruction, and tbe crowd ¡tiøpersed. Police remained 00 tbe spot to aee that the cottage was not fited.

ORDER OF RECHABITES. East Glamorgan Juvenile District. Theannnai meeting of tho East Glamorgan District, Juvenile. Order cf Recbabites was beld at tbe Engiiab Congregational Cbapel, Blsckwood, under the presidency cf Samnel Davies, juvenile superintendent, on Monday. Ibere waa a large gathering of delegates. Tbe report of thn Executive was read by the stcretary, Mr J. F. Neat, Brynmawr, and showed that financially 1 he district bard improved to tbe extent of JE20 3s 5d. The tOI..1 membership was 1,015, an increase of 109. The aueBtion of reduced sick r< lief, adult section, was raised by the high treasurer of tbe Ordt r, Mr D. Thomxa, Rhymney. Mr R. Thomas differed from tbe high tieaBoreras to tbe rest.lt of the change, contending tbat several tentB had in consequence lost some of their beat members. Tbe high treasurer and Bio. ty. Evans replied and defended the course taken, which bad enabled tbe Order to accumulate funds. At tbe sugges- tion of tbe high treasurer, it waa unanimously dtcided tbat tbe several execotive committees should be convened to consider the qnestion of tbe protection of tbe fonds of tbe Order. The following officets were elected P.D. superintendent, Samuel Davies district treasurer, D. Evans, Tredegar; district superintendent of juvenilia, D. E. WillialDs; district secretsry, J. F. Neat senior aoditor, R. Roberts junior auditor, Jas. Dodds. A resolution was passed calling npon the Govern- ment, in their intended measure on the liquor traffic, tOtsivetboratepayera power of vetoing thegranongofticences, tbe supervision of the Beveml debs by the police, and the abolition of grocers'licences. The commemoiation of the coming of "Ilb of tbe juvenile organisation was deferred for consideration to the nnited action of both sections of the Order in tbe district of G..ent and Glamorgan.

MANSION GUTTED. One of the most serious conflagrations that ball been seen for yeais in County Down occurred 00 Saturday, when tbe fine residential mansion at Donagbeloney of Mr S. B. Combe, of tbe great sngineering firm of Fairbairn, Lawaon, aod Uombe. Leeds and Belfast, was completely gutted. Ibere were several narrow eBcapes Ibe aoiaoottho roaring flames, combined witb the occasional falling of hea»y beams and maaonry, added to the excitement. Dmiug tbe course of tbo fighi with the flames an employee sustained a ssvero injury, and it waa subsequently ascertained that bis kt.ee bad been bndly fractured, a btavy piece of falling timber fettrgaim. and it was with difficulty be was remo.ed. At last it wallleen that fnrtber exertion b" tbe willing staf fof woikers waa bat energy thrown away, the flamts steadily increasing in volume and eating tbeir way to other eecuocs of tbe hoase. The work was reluctantly abandoned at lant. after all had been tried tbat posaibly could have been done 10 save the house. Then the crowd stood by and watched the manaion being gradually teduced to rain. Tbe roof fell in with a terrific rraib, and a great abower cf sparks aud fi-tme borst forth. Tbe flames then, fanned by tbe additional current of air, raged with renewed fary, till soon nothing but tbe bare I walls of the magnificent mansion remained standing, Mr aDd Mus Combe, whohadonty recently returned from their honeymoon, were from bome aC tbe time, attending the Ballybaft races.

COLLIER AND HIS CHILD. An Extraordinary Case. Jeonbt Laws, of 70, Hermon-road, Caeran, Maesteg, summoned William James Griffiths, a collier, of Caeraa, at Bridgend on Saturday to abow caOle. Mr T. J. Hughes, who represented complain- ant, said that tbe case was of ratber an extra- ordinary nstare. The child was born as long ago as 17th September, 1901. Complainant was a married woman, but ber husband bad deserted ber, and ahe had not met bim for two years previous to tbe biith of this child. When the child "all! bom defendant entered into an agreement drawn up by a solicitor in which be admitted the paternity of tbe child and agreed to pay 5s a week for its mvintenance. Tbis mm was paid regulaily until recently, when defendaot related to PlOY any more money except 00 condition that MIa Laws lmd with bim and cohabited Tbis she refused to do as her bunband was still alive, though be had not returned to her. Mrs Laws bore out ber solicitor's statement, and aaid tbat Grffi'ba was a single man witb no dependents. Mr Hughes put in tbe agreement between Mra Laws a no Grlffi t bs. Tbere was nothing in tbe Hgreement to indicate that tbe child was illegitimate, Mr Hngbes remarking that this waa for the purpose of saving tbe cbilll to some extei t from the atigma of illegitimacy. He called GwiJym Jamea Evans, brotber-in- law of MIB Laws, who waa also a party to the agreement, and be said tbat the agreement child was tbe one for wbicb MrsLawa was now claiming maintenance. Mr Charles, solicitor, Merthyr, one of th, attesting witnesses, had read tbe agreement over to Griffiths, and explained it to bim. An order for 5s a week and costs was made.

ATTEMPT TO WRECK A TRAIN. A Warrington correspondent saysi Details have just come to light of an attempt on Satur- day nigbt to wreck a London to Liverpool express. Tbe train reached Warrington aboat eight o'clock, aDd the driver rsported running over anobBtrnctjOD between 300 and 400 yards from the slation. It was found that railway sleepers bad been laid acrosB tbe line and fastened down. These bad been smashed into atoms by tbe train, and tbe permanent way was torn ap for a distance of over 100 yards. It is surprising that tbe train, which was crowded with jpaaBOGser*. aid not 1tay.:¡ £ J*e mat»ls.. .1 ILl I'

Education Bill. a Father Vaughan and a "Chance Majority." Preaching at Brighton on Sunday morning Father Bernard Vaughan, referring to the Education Bill, aaid tbeir prayers must be that overy true Christian meAn in tbeir dear coantry might riss and make himself beard, understood, and felt in this critical stare in tbe life of England's Christianity. He could not believe that a great Chiatian community waa goi fl to atand belplearly hopelessly t-i'enl with folded nml wbile a ctiacee majority in the tyranny of ita might turned Christ and His Christianity oat 01 their Bcb^ols. Expert Educationist's View. Mr Arthur Dyke Acland, who was Minister of Edacation onder a firmer Liberal Government, presided on Sunday evenlnR at a leclae upon the Edocation Bill delivered in Hcarboiougb by Dr. Macnamaia, M.P. Mr AcNnd said he dil not think ibat tbe opponents of tbe Bill cculd complain of iojuatice so far as concerned tbe transfer of properly. Confiscation was too florid a telm to nle. He argued that the pro- vision prohibiting otdioaty teachers in inral schools from giving dogmatic denominational teaching was no real restraint upon thei* liberty, bat a prudent guarantee of impartiaiity- Wales and the Bill. A meeting of the Welab teachers was bsld at the Balmoral Hotel, Scarborough, on Mouday nigbt to consider the Laccatioo Bill resolutions at the National Union Coufeience. The proceed* inga were private, bat oar representative waV informed tbat tbe meeting adopted a reflation approving of the prrpoeed tsiaLlinbrnent of a National Council of Edncation for Wales. Objeo- lions were raised to the constitution of the National Council as proposed in Mr Bineli'a Bill, and IbesecbjectiollS will be urged when tbo Education Bill lesoialiens come before confer- ence. Cardinal Logue's Condemnation. On Monday afternoon Carolina) Logue opened a new Carnegie free library in Drogheda. In thanking Mr Carnegie for bis munificent gift bis Eminence said tbe question of education was iast now a burning ot e. Ihe English Education Hill was ooe wbicb could nevel be accepted bv f either Anglican Churchmen or Catholics, It was established on & piinciple frangbt with danger. If one wanted to have a nation of clever rogues, give the rising generation a secular edu- cation, without a koowledgs of religion, aud they would have the smartest naiion 01 r gues ia tbo world. The people of Ireland, from north to soutb and from cut to wect, would be opposed to the Edacation Bill at present before Parliament. It was established 00 a very vicious puneipte, and tbey could Dot imagine tbe Caihjlic b'abopo and priests of England being a party to acquies- cence in locb an abominable mtasure. Ttiero was no such thing as undenominational edaca- tion. Bishop of London's Protest. The Biehop of London, in a letter to thw rural deans in bis diocese on tbe f-abjtct of I be Bill, save:—To have merely ethical treatment of tbe Bible foicitej upon schools which tbey have built for quite another kind of teaching, end to have tbe other teaching in thste very scboola tbroBt into the background, is simply intolerable. He veclnres to hope and believ* that among and even outside the ianks of Churchmen Ibere will bo many Liberals wbo will deplore the fact that a sinuultirly strong L beral Government should have introduced a Bill which violates some 01 tbe first principlaa of religions equality.

CATHOLIC POSTCARD TO MR BIRRELL, The Catholic Association for the Diocese of Newport have circulated postcards to enable every Catholic pare t to senl the following declaration to Mr Birrell, Micifer of Educa- tion ;—" 1 declare that I .b..11 ne\er allow my children to attend non-Catholic scboola, or schools which sio only Catholic in name, and moreover as an inviolable right afid a, vital necessity for my religion I demand and insist 00. baring CAtbolic schools f r Catbo ic children under Catholic teachers and Caiholic manage' ment Bishop Hedley on the Bill. The beantilol cburcb of St. David's m.c.) Ou- diff, NIU crowded at tbe Easter Sunday morning service, when Pontifical tl gb Mass was sung by Bishop Ue-il-y, assis ed by the Very Rev. Canon Woods, 0 S.B St. Micba<l's, Heieford, assist- ant prie-t Rev. Van den Haav< 1, deacon of the Mass; Rev. M. tloge ty, eab-deacco; Father litn nl and Esther 0'K.eafe, deacons at tbe throne, and b) Father Gibbons, M C. Tbe mass waa to the masic of Kaim, aDd tbe singing of the choir, especially tbe bove, wss exceptionally good. After ibe Gospel Bishop Hedley preached the Bermon, in the course of wbicb be said tbat in spite of her tud. troutles, and vici shades, tbe Oatbclie Cnnrch was stronger now than ever. A csl»mitv was now threatening their Bchools. Still Easter Day was tbe IHSI dôy upon wbicb tIe ahoclj counsel despair. Ho urged tbem to be praverlrl and tiuBtlcl in tbe peiil-* wbicb now threatened tbeir education and to pay lleEld to the t-erionB si lemn words of tbeir pastors, The Catbcl cs tf tbat district wo> 1J not be found wanting. Evidence of tbat was found in tho great Cathilic meeting wbicb tonk il»ce in OardiS on tbe day tbe Education B II was intro- duced to Pailiament. Tbat was to him a good aneoryoftbeephitand temper which Cattr.Tca would display in this crisis in connection with ibeir national scboola. In tbeevening tbe special preacher was the Rev. Canon Woods. Thttte was again a l*rge congregation pretent. Sir Charles Dilke's Views. The member for D"&a Forest is of opinion that tbe Bill fairly keeps tbe three pledges given by Liberals at the General Election. He re- asserts bi3 view put forth first 10 1870, tbat the State would do well to keep clear of all associa- tion with religion* teaching. The present Bill is not, however, open to tbe same objection 00 tbis score aM could be urged against tbe Bill of 36 years ago, wbich be opposed, as alllo did the Premier, Sir W. Lawaon, Lord Edmond Fitzmaurice, and Mr J. Illingworth, wbo survive amongst tbe small minority against the BBI on that momotab e occasion. Sir Charles thinks tbat tbe clause re- lating to special or "extended" facilities will be safeguarded so tbat it will not app:, to small orbtn centre-, socb as lie contained in Dean Forest. Tbe Roman Catholic sati-faction with tbat ciaatetette upon tbe belief that Roman Catholic teachers will as a fact be appointed in tbe case of schools which are to be spt-ci ally maintained by tbem. Another clsnse which la also vague, and wbicb Sir Charles claims h»s a local application is that giving incieased powers of delegation toloenl education autborities aa regards some sub-districts. The financihl ques- tion was in tbat piriir-nlar the paramount one. A diatrict geographically separate and anxious to have its own way was otten one in which ccl- 1;erica or factories bad caused tbe presence of population not in complato genetal balmooT of ideas and habits witb those of ihe ccuntiea in geneixl and bB\ing an nodae proportion of Board..cbcd cb.Idlen as compared witb tbe general county areteee. In Ibose cases the school rate was natuitlly bigbrr, and was some- what reduced by drawing upon tbe county average. Although tbe district in Bucb a ca"e preferred bome rule, it woold be a sltp in the wrong direction to force it to pay extrava- gantly for tbe privilege L'robally tne financihl provision of tbe cl4U<?e would be amended. It would be sure to be tbe »*object of very cHleral consideiation. Witb further reference to ilaoss 4, Ibe right bon. geml-msn pointed out that H urban is 1 mited to populations of 5000 or moie and does net, thprpfote, at) it stand", apply to any area in bis constituency. Clause 26 refers to parishes, of wbicb Dean Forest proper ia dIvided into two-Ealt and West Dean —whilst the eld Dean Forest Scbocl Board area consisted of these two townshipa added together, plus the i parish of Nenlmd. In regaid to tbl., Sir:, Charles hopes to be alia to consult some of tbe beet known educationists of hill own conaliU. 7 ency.

GLASGOW AND DRINK. Startling Figures About Licensed Houses Remarkable figures about Glasgow public- booses are given in a pampblet iaeued by the Citizenlo Vigilance Association of that city. Tbeteare 1,322 pabticbonaes, 298 licensed grocers, a.cd 17 licensed hotels in tbe municipal boundaries. The aggregate rental of tbe 1,322 public-bouses is pet »t £ 138.598, an syerage of £104 per house. 10 1890. before the surrounding suburbs were added to the ci'y, tbere were 1,448 pnblic-boues within the then 16 wards fora. popalstion oi 557,603, tbe gross rental being £120,693. Compared with tbat period there are now In the extended ciiy 126 fewer pnblir-hr>uses, but tbere baa been an increase of JE17,905 in annual rental. The numsrical reduction is thus mora than counterbalanced by increases and exten- sions cn many of the remaining bouses. One public bonee in Gordon-atreet. rented st fElOS in 1890, bad a rental of £ 2,050 in 1905. Another in Renfield-street, reconstructed, bas risen from JE500 to £600 a year. In Union-street a public-bouae was removed across the street the rental bas risen from JH50 101890 to JE1 COO in 1905. And so on. The Vigilance Association deeiret a reduction of 486 pablic-house*. Tbis would leave 836, in addition to licensed grocers aDd botels. De«ling only with old licences," says the panphlet, is roerelv toucbiug the outer fiinge of an evil bicb cannot be satisfactorily grappled with ex- cept in a thorough and draslio manner.

MR FARRELL, M.P., AT SWANSEA. Speaking at a meeting of tbe Swansea branch of the United Itiah Ltagaeon Sunday Mr J. P. Farrell. M.P., said the root principle for which the Irish party were working was tbat Ireland should enjoy its own land, its ovm created wealth, and, above all, sboald control itl own destiny. The strangle maetpoon. and Irishmen at Swansea or else- where, anless they wanted to sink their personal identity with those who persecuted tbeir fore- fathers, must stand at the back of their repre- sentatives. Demonstration at Dowlais. In connection with tbe Thomas Davfa branch oftheLeagao a demo' Btra ion was beld on Monday, in which Mr Farrell, M.P., took part. A proceBaioo, headed by tbe Uhymney Irish League Fife and Drum Band, proceeded to MRrtbyr to meat the bon. member, who was escorted to the OddfeHowa Hall, whore » pnblic meeting was addraowd by hi. .others on Irish tOptOt.