The Cardiff Times

Colliery Disaster at Abergwynfi. EtGHT MEN KILLED. Late on Wednesday night the usual quietude of the colliery village of Abergwynfi, in Mid- Glamorganshire, was broken by an alarming acci- dent which occurred at the Glyncorrwfr Colliery, Abergwynfi, belonging to Messrs W. Perch and Co., Cardiff, whereby eight men lost their lives. The accident occurred at the No. 1 shaft of the colliery, where sinking operations have been going on for nearly two years. At ten o'clock in the evening it is usual for the sinkers to change shifts, and this was being done on Wednesday night when the calamity occurred, casting a gloom over the whole village. Each shift is com- posed of nine men, one of whom is termed an overman or charge man. The relieving shift had just been let down the shaft on Wednesday night, .,nd the retiring overman, noticing that they were one short, went up alone before his men retired, obviously for the purpose of finding an odd man to complete the number of the relieving shift. By this means his life was saved, for immediately afterwards the eight men who had put in their usual eight hours entered the bowk," or cage, and the signal was given to the engine- driver to go on." All went well till the cage reached the surface, where it was stopped in the usual way, a few feet above the bank, to enable the banksman to run the trolley over the mouth of the shaft with a view to the occupants of the "age alighting. What the actual sequence of events was for a few moments remains to be dis- covered at the inquiry to be subsequently held, but it is stated that the cage containing the men only stopped momentarily, and was then turned completely over the winding wheel, violently striking the end of the engine house, about 40 feet away from the mouth of the shaft. After striking the engine-house the cage," battered on one side and still connected wi, h the wire winding rope, was hurled to the ground -vith its human load. Six of the poor fellows fell, as the manager put it, "in a bunch," and all were dreadfully mangled about the head, one un- fortunate man named Humphrey Jenkins being disembowelled. The man Skinner fell heavily on the trolley which the banksman,Owen Hughes, and the overman, Raymond Travis, had had the presence of mind to run over the mouth of the shaft, or otherwise he must have fallen down the shaft, where eight men were still working. The scene which followed was of the most harrowing description. Several men about the colliery set to work immediately to help the in- jured, but little indeed could be done for the poor fellows. The agonised cries of the victims were mingled with those of the men on the bank call- ing for assistance from the village. Immediately a message was despatched for medical aid. Mean- while the prostrate bodies were picked up and carried into the engine-house. Some of the men were killed almost instantaneously, and these were laid gently aside, while attention was given to those who showed signs of vitality. The news ot the calamity spread rapidly over the village of Abergwynfi, and crowds of excited women, men, and children were quickly on the scene. The greatest confu- sion prevailed for some time. The first medical man who arrived was Dr Hemmings, and he was followed by his assistant, Dr Grant, and Drs Evan Davies and J. H. J ones, of Maesteg, who rendered every assistance to the dying. One man, it transpired, was killed on the spot. Six others died within half-an-bour after the accident, and the man Skinner lingered on till two o'clock on Thursday morning, but not one of the eight at all recovered consciousness. Within a short time of the occurrence of the accident half the popula- tion of the village of Abergwynfi and the hamlet of Blaengwynfi (which is springing up near the new colliery) were on the scene. The cries of women, frantic with grief, rended the air, and there was the greatest excitement while the work of identification went on. The scene was but another of the many tragedies enacted on the banks of Welsh collieries, and which come with grievous frequency. When the men expired the bodies were covered and quietly carried a distance of about 20 yards to the carpenters' shop, which was transformed into a mortuary, the bodies of the men being laid out on the benches and covered with tarpaulin. The names of the killed are :— Thomas Thomas (33), married, leaves two children. James O'Connor (36) (nothing known about him). Humphrey Jenkins (35), married, no children. Richard Skinner (28), single. William Evans, "Bangor" (51), married, two children. William Thomas, Number 2 (35), married, five children. Daniel Thomas (32), single. William Carpenter (44), married, six children. The manager of the colliery, Mr W. M. Thomas, had left the works only a short time before the accident occurred, and the sub-manager, who was in charge, after collecting all the particulars of the affair, travelled in the night to Llwynypia to report the accident, reaching his destination about three o'clock on Thursday morning. Mr Thomas visited the colliery early on Thursday, and made a thorough inspection in cotnpany with Mr J. T. Robsoh and Mr F. A. Gray, H.M. Inspector of Mines. The engmeman in charge of the winding engine at the time of the accident was a young man named David Davis, who is described as an experienced driver and, strailgely enough, that was his last turn on his shift. At the time he was running the engine and raising the eight men who were killed, the next driver on "—John R. Jones-was in the engine-room, and, preparatory to assuming charge, was hanging up his coat behind the man Davis. As to how tne accident actually occurred, or whether anyone is to blame, remains to be discovered at the inquiry, but the cause of the dis- aster was the main topic of conversation in the village during the whole of Thursday. There are several theories advanced to explain the accident, and the most current of these is that something went wrong with the valve in the steam chest of the engine. Whatever there may be in this proposition, it remains a fact that the engines answered the levers about two hours after- wards, when another cage was procured and geared and the eight men in the shaft were drawn up. h Another method of accounting for the mishap is that the attention of the driver was called from his signal dial at a critical moment, while some attribute the accident to the engine not being reversed after it had been stopped just above the bank, and thus, instead of the bucket being steadied down on to the wooden trolley whicn covers the mouth of the shaft, it was wound over the wheel at the head of the stocks. But these are opinions which must be taken for what they are worth, and it scarcely needs to be added that the manager and all concerned are—as they have a perfect right to be till the inquiry is held- exceedingly reticent. Abergwynfi is a mining village of about 2,000 inhabitants, in the Valley of the Avon, at the terminus of the Great Western Railway line, where a large and important colliery, known as the Great Western, is situated. The distance from Bridgend is about 0 12 miles. The village is completely surrounded by hills, and since the opening of the Rhondda and Swansea Bay Railway through the valley, with a station about 200 yards lower down, called Blaengwynfi. a little hamlet has rapidly sprung up near the Glyncorrwg Colliery sinkings. The workings, where the calamity occurred, are situated on the right bank of the Avon, which courses rapidly over its rocky bed within 50 yards of the pits. Row upon row of houses of the usual colliery village style are being erected, and in a few years Abergwynfi and Blaen- gwynfi will in all probability become a large and busy centre of mining industry. The new sinkings have been in course of progress for nearly two years, and this is the first fatal accident that has occurred since the workings were opened -rather a remarkable record. The two shafts are close to each other, and the No. 1 pit, where the accident happened, is now about 76 yards down with a bormg 60 yards deep. Coal has not yet been reached, and the relief shift at the time of the accident were engaged in boring. It is intended to work the No. 2 seam of coal by this shaft. The working is supplied with the somewhat primitive arrangements for head gear usually seen at new sinkings—four supports, with a winding wheel, over which is suspended the iron cage, or "bowk," by the steel wire rope working in a groove. The bucket which was in use is about twelve feet in circumference, smaller at the bottom, and five feet deep. HOW eight men can get into this receptacle, winch is used for hauling the rock hewn out in sinking, can only be under- stood by those who have actually seen work going on at pit sinkings. During Thursday there was constantly a crowd of curious people sur- rounding the carpenter's shop where the bodies lay, but nothing could be seen except the cover- ings. A workman who was placed in charge of the mortuary was too gnef-stricken to answer questions; and a solemn silence reigned in the dead-house, where a single dip candle was kept burning at the foot of one of the bodies. Some work was still being earned on in the adjoining shaft on Thuisday but practically operations had ceased, and the sinkers were con- gregated in the different public-houses near. Naturally there was a gloom over the whole villages, and the one topic of conversation was the accident. Some of the men whom our repre- sentative saw, depicted an awful and sickening scene which was to be witnessed on the pit bank immediately after the calamity, for six of the nien were frightfully mutilated. An ambulance box, which is kept in the engine-room, and which contained a quan- tity of materials for rendering first aid proved to be a valuable acquisition, but the men were injured beyona all hope of recovery. The eight men who remaihed working in the shaft had a terribly anxious time fcr nearly two hours, and some of them describe how they craned their ears only to hear sounds which told too well of a disaster. One of them was struck on the arm by a falling block of wood when the crash came, but not until the new bucket had been geared and the rope once more placed ovei the winding- wheel and they were drawn out, did they learn the extent of the disaster. In connection with the accident there is one of those strange occurrences which make facts stranger than fiction. Robert Skinner, the young man who lingered on till Thursday morning, had recently advertised for a young woman "corres- pondent, with a view to matrimony," and on the morning of his death the village postman of Abergwynfi delivered several replies. "Sinkers" are a nomadic class of men, and wander from one working to another, as the navvy does, but they are usually skilled in their difficult and dangerous work. At the Glyncorrwg pit, however, some of them bad stayed for months. Our representative saw several of them booking by the Bridgend train in the evening, and though they denied having me fear to go down the shaft again, they "preferred a change." Many are swayed by superstitious beliefs, and one—the absent man in the relieving shift—though he declared a belief in fatalism fa p nevertheless washed his hands of Glyncorrwg, and left by the same train as his companions. Opening of the Inquest. Yesterday Mr Howell Cuthbertson (District Coroner) opened an inquest on the bodies of the eight men who were killed on Wed- nesday night at Glyncorrwg Collieries, Aber- gwynfi. Mr Daniel Evans was foreman of the jury. Mr Robson, Inspector of Mines, and Mr W. M. Thomas, manager of the colliery, were present. The first witness called was Griffith John Williams, clerk at the colliery, who gave evidence of identification. Raymond Trevis, foreman over the boring at the pit, said the relief shift of eight men went down about ten o'clock. Eight men who were down came up. At 10 o'clock he was standing at the pit-top at the time. and saw the bowk ascend. Two stood in the bowk and six on the edge. It ascended at the usual speed, but it went beyond its distance. He shouted "Hold!" and the bowk madeasuddenstop. Suddenly he heard a rush of steam, and saw the bowk go over the wheel. He and the banksman pushed a runner across the mouth of the pit, and Skinner fell on it. The other men were scattered about, and the bowk fell with a crash near the engine-house. He saw Jones running, and said, "Whatever in the world have you been doing?" Jones replied, "Dai ie Davies had hold of the lever, and daren't stir until I shut off the steam at the valves." He saw Davies and told him to hold her there until he got some assistance. Witness then went and saw the injured men. He could not Ion form an opinion as to how the accident occurred. He saw Davies, who had not been drinking. He had heard no complaints about the engine, and it was all right an hour after the accident. There was plenty of light. Owen Hughes, brakesman, corroborated. Mr C. D. Hemming, surgeon, said he went to the pit at a quarter past 10. In the engine-house were three men alive, but all died in a short time. The deceased men received severe injuries about the head and body, and evidently most of them fell on their heads. Charles Walker, overman, said he examined the engine after the accident and found them all right. He had since run the engine himself. Jones, the relief engineman, had been drinking. Davies had not. He attributed the accident to Davies' attention being called from his work at a critical moment. Such acci- dents had occurred before. He thought when Davies saw he had overwound he lost his head. The inquest was adjourned till Monday.

CARDIFF SCHOOL BOARD. The monthly meeting of the Cardiff School Board was held on Thursday afternoon, Mr Lewis Williams (the chairman) presiding over an n) attendance which comprised Alderman D. Jones. Rev F. J. Beck, Rev J. Morgan Jones, Dr Tre- harne, Rev A. Tilly, Mr Hy. Butler, Dr Wal- lace, Monsignor Williams, Mr R. Hughes, and Mr John Gardner. The School Attendance Committee reported that their attention had been called to the allegation, that since the introduction of Free Education, certain teachers under the Board ohjected to filling up the attendance cards of children whose parents received relief from the guardians. The Committee recommended that a circular be sent to the head-teachers directing them to mark the cards as before, for the information of the guardians.— The Clerk (Mr D. Rees) failed to see that either the Board or the teachers were under any obliga- tion to do this, in view of the abolition of fees in the schools of the Board.—Dr Treharne thought the guardians might be influenced in the continu- ance of relief by the fact whether or not the children of the applicant were regularly attending school.—The Clerk said the guardians could not refuse to pay a pauper's relief solely by reason of the irregular attendance of his children at school. —The Chairman Still, it might guide them in the amount they allowed the applicants—The Clerk said if specific cases were given him of refusal to fill up the attendance cards he would write to the master or mistress, to be furnished with their reasons.—Mr Henry Butler declared that the master of the Radnor-road School had thus declined.—The minute was referred back. In consequence of the work of the School Attendance Committee being lightened by having no remission of fees cases to deal with, it has been decided that in future the committee shall meet monthly instead of fortnightly. The Sites and Building Committee have bad the subject of the congested condition of the Albany-road and Crwys-road Schools under their consideration, and at a recent meeting they ad- journed the question of providing a site for a new school in order that members might visit the dis- trict. The Board decided to increase the minimum and maximum salaries of second division trained male assistants by J65, the disparity between the two divisions being too great.-It was resolved to advertise for teachers, stating this alteration in the scale, and that the Board have under con- sideration a scheme for increasing the salaries of their assistants. A precept was recommended by the Finance Committee to be issued on the Town Council of the borough of Cardiff for the sum of L13,394, being the estimated amount required to meet the expenses of the Board to the 1st April next.- The Chairman, in proposing the confirmation of the precept, said tho eommittee had carefully estimated the probable expenditure and income for the next six months, and they made the fore- going recommendation. It would be remembered that th;ir former practice had been to charge the interest for overdrawn accounts at the bank as treasurer's salary. This was surcharged against certain members of the Board by the auditor, but afterwards remitted by the Treasury. It was obviously inadvisable to place members of the Board in such a position in the future, and thus the Board had passed a resolution adding 24, 000 as surplus working capital. He could not see that they could do with less than this amount. They had had £ 2,000 during the past six months, and it was thought better to enter into another 22,000 for the coming half-year.—The precept was confirmed. The Higher Grade School Committee recom- mended that the system of placing the whole school under one head-master be adopted, and that Mr Waugh be appointed to that position at a salary of 9425 per annum, share of Govern- ment grant to him to cease. It was also recom* mended that a head assistant mistress of the girls' department be appointed, under the supreme control of Mr Waugh, at a stipend of £ 150 per annum.—The Chairman said this system was being generally adopted in Higher Grade Schools in other parts of the country. They were going to double the Higher Grade School premises, ana this was the time to make the proposed altera- tion, if at all. The present salary of Mr Waugh was J3415, and in view of giving him supreme command of the whole institution it was proposed to increase the amount to 2425.The report of the committee was adopted. Towards the conclusion of the ordinary busi- ness, the Chairman referred to the position of Mr John Cory, J.P., with regard to the Board. Owing to absence from home and residence in London in the early part of this year, Mr Cory, who had been connected with the Board since its commencement, did not put in an attendance for six months. This cost him his seat. Mr Cory was in Cardiff, intending to be present at the third meeting, but was prevented at the last moment. The Chairman was bound to say that Mr Cory had rendered excellent public service by his advice to the Board, espe- cially in reference to financial matters. (Hear, hear.) He had shown a deep interest in any- thing appertaining to the extension of their work, contributing £ 50 every year for book- prizee, and being at all times ready with his purse for any special educational object, such as scholarships. Therefore was it that he (the chaii- man) suggested that Mr Cory be asked to allow himself to be renominated for a seat on the board. —Monsignor Williams said they had the power to co-optate hi-The Chairman thought the precise method of re-electing Mr Cory might be left in the hands of the clerk.—Dr Wallace said a resolution should be passed stating that the board regretted having lost the services of Mr Cory, and asking him to allow himself to be re- nominated. 1 he Clerk said if they were satisfied with the reasons for the absence of any member from six meetiugs, they had the power to re-elect him straight away.—Promptly accepting this view of tho position, the board, on the proposal of the Rev A. Ttlly, seconded by Dr Wallace, unanim ously re-elected Mr Cory.

CHINA AND THE POWERS. Shall we have War ? The Central News learns that the latest liel" from China increases the anxiety of the Govern- ■ ment respecting the condition of affairs within the Celestial Empire, and on its frontiers* i Although Lord Salisbury is still in France; he is kept promptly advised of every phase of the situation, despatches, sometimes of voluminous character, being forwarded to hif daily. The movements of Russia on the Chinese frontier are, it is believed m diplomatic circles, calculated rapidly to hasten forward the ti&* when conflicting interests must be settled bY force of arms, in which Great Britain may not improbably be involved. The interval troubles of China will, it is thought, tend to deter her from making more than a formal protest asainst the action of Russia unless, indeed, should secure an ally to combat the aggression of the Czar's Government, a contingency whicbj at the present moment at any rate, is regarded as remote. The more pressing difficulty f°' China is the anti-foreign agitation, ana action closely connected therewith of th* secret societies in endeavouring to bring about an insurrection. In this connectlog it is considered singularly unfortunate that any British subject should have been interested,as Chinese Government alleges, in the of arms and ammunition to the conspirar6 and the point is one upon which China has made strong representatiolla to Great Britain. In Pekin, it is asserted tha6 Chinese authorities at the treaty ports and inland towns are fully able to cope with disorder* and especially to repress any attempted outrage upon foreigners. In the British Foreign Offi°* this sanguine feeling is not generally shared, and is no secret that arrangements have already been made to meet any emergency that waf arise. The Central News adds that the Government, in its communications to treaty Powers, maintains that the office have on the whole acted with energy and discretion in very difficult circumstances. O* the Mandarins degraded for want of energy, one is .the well-known Taoutai of Wuhu, whose place has been taken by a Mandarin's who was for, merly dismissed from office, but who, during the recent disturbances, distinguished himself by hio energy in protecting Europeans. Re-assuring Intelligence. The Press Association states that no immediate cause for anxiety has arisen in regard to the ante' foreign riots in China. A fortnight since was some cause for alarm, but the Britsb Foreign Office has since received re-assuring neWS. The Chinese authorities have made and are con. tinuing to make every effort to suppress any further assaults upon foreigners, and a few days ago the Chinese Minister to this country called At the Foreign Office and conveyed to the British Government a note from Pekin, that China would take every precaution to f rotect English residents throughout its territory- t is ^understood that a similar note was sented simultaneously to the other EuropeaØ Governments. A despatch received by telegraph from China states that the outbreaks have been put down where possible, and that there is alto- gether a favourable change in Notwithstanding this, however, the British Government, acting in concert with the other European Powers, has ordered ships of war to be placed so as to protect English interests in the disturbed districtS. The Chinese Minister to the Court of St. JameO remains in London for the present, and is tile recipient of numerous telegrams on the matter from his Government. Only one Englishman was implicated in the smuggling of arms and ex* plosives into the country, and he is now undet arrest and will be tried according to the la.- relating to foreigners. Altogether the outlook ig China is much more favourable.

MR GLADSTONE ON SCOTCH REPRESENTATION. The following letter was received on Wedne9- day morning by the Liberal candidate for Bute:- Fasctue, Laureneekirk, Sept. 29, 189L "My dear Sir,— "In the arduous task which you have undertaken as Liberal 3andidate for the county of Bute, you are entitled, I think, to the warmest sympathy of the patty, and certainly to my own cordial good wishes. The voice of Scotland from the very first has been unequivocally given ,°0 behalf of that reasonable settlement of the IristA question, without which there can be no effectual prosecution of British reforms ill general, and no adequate attention to the claims of Scotland in particular. It can hardly be that the electors of Bute can desire the COO. tinuation of a state of things under which the known wishes of Scotland in its local matter* are constantly overridden by the votes of English members. As you will be able easily to discriminate b1 the facts and figures of actual experience it J' this state of things, so unjust to Scotland, which your opponent and his party seek to prolong, it is onlv by returning you victoriously to rarli*"1 1 ment that the constituency of But., can, a? • portion of the Scottish people, testify tueir desIrO Ll and contribute their share to amend It. I remain, dear sir, yours very faithfully, "W. E. GtADSTOtf* Mr John McCullooh."

THE INDUSTRIALSCHOOLS ACT. At Cardiff police-court on Wednesday-beforl the Deputy Stipendiary (Mr L M. Browne)- Alexander Melvin, 18, Pontcanna-place, Cardiff, was proceeded against under Section 14 of the Industrial Schools Act, for allowing his two boy' Alexander (11) and John (10) to be beyono proper control.—Mr Harrison, Superintendent ot the Cardiff School Attendance Officers, stated that defendant had been proceeded against" several times for not causing the two boys to attena school regularly, and he had taken no notice or the police-court proceedings. The Board had now determined to take action under the Industrial Schools Act.—The Deputy-Stipendiary orderea the boys to be detained in an Industrial oclioo* 4 nmtilihhev are 16 you.- of all.

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Ladies. Children, and Infants. SoM throughout the World. 14356 JJASS AND CO S PALE AND MILD ALES, ST5ASON BREWINGS) MAY NOW BE HAD IN PRIME CONDITION, IN CASKS OR BOTTLES, OF FULTON, DUNLOP, AND CO., CARDIFF 114 SAN T A L I I D Y. These May Capsules are superior to Copaiba, eMebs, aad astringent liquids, and will cure the lNDe diseases in forty-eight hours without ineon- Teaienee of any kind. Each Capsule bears the aame "MlDY," Paris, 8, rue Vivienne. Price, 48 6d, of all Chemists. Or post free from WILCOX A COMPANY, 2it9. OXFORD-STREET, LONDON, W. 14333 | Hasiiwss J\bbrtssts. BABY ON FIRE WITH ECZEMA I JgABY ON FIRE WITH ECZEMA JgABY ON FIRE WITH ECZEMA My little nephew suffered fearfully about two years ago from eczema following vaccination. His head, face, and parts of his body were in a terrible state, and caused him such pain and irritation that his mother could get no rest s,t night, through having to watch him to prevent him scratching himself in his sleep. For six months he was treated by the best doctors at Hertford and at the Infir- mary, but, though they altered the treatment from time to time, their best did him no good, causing the mother to lose all hope. Just about this time I sent her a set of the CUTICURA REMEDIES, they having done a friend of mine great good. The effect upon the child, directly the soap and CUTICURA were applied, was truly marve?lous. The mother shortly after wrote me, saying, Thank God and you for the CUTICURA REMEDIES! the dear boy's head, face, and hands are almost well; you would not know him for the same child." My nephew continued to improve rapidly, until now I am able to tell you that the child is quite cured, his skin is perfectly clear and smooth, and he enjoys good health, thanks to the CUTICURA REMEDIES. HENRY HARVEY. No. 267, CITY OF LONDON POLICE A BAD BURNING SORE LIMB A BAD BURNING SORE LIMB I was a sufferer with a most obstinate and pain- ful eczema in my left leg and foot about four years. 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THE THIRD ANNUAL CAERPHILLY CHEESE COMPETITION will be held on THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29th, 1891, For Schedules apply to T. Wright, Secretary, Caerphilly. 5403 TO BUILDERSTind CONTRACTORST- Wanted, TENDERS for the ERECTION ef WESLEYAN ."SUNDAY-SCHOOL and CLASS- ROOMS at CINDERFORD, on a new site. Plans and specifications may be seen at Wesley Chapel School- room, Cinderford, from October 5th to November 7th, 1891. Quantities may be obtained of Mr John Wills, Architect, Derby, on payment of Ss. Tenders to be sent to Re., J. P White, Cinderford, not later than November 16th. Building not to be commenced before next Spring.

BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, DEATHS BIRTHS. DAVIES.—On the 27th inst., at Northampton House, Swansea, the wife of D. Arthur Davies, M.B., Lond., of a daughter. 5350 HARRIES.—On the 27th inst., at 8, Machen-place, Cardiff, the wife of D. Harries, of a daughter. 349 HUNTER.—September 25th, at 258, Newport road, Cardiff, the wife of George L. Hunter, of a son. 181 POWEL,-On September 24th, the wife of Thomas Powel, 8, Victoria-road, Penarth, of a son. 151 MACINTOSH.—On Sept. 26th, at 68, Plymouth-road, Penarth, the wife of Albert Charles Macintosh, of a son. 281 MARRIAGES. CHADLEY WRIGHT. On the 30th September, at Atherton, Charles Chandley, of Trecynon, Aberdare, to Helena, second daughter of Mr Caleb Wright, M.P., of Lower Oak, Tyldesley 5411 DAVIES-JONES.—On Tuesday, sept. 29th, at Ebenezer Welsh Congregational Chapel, by the Rev T. C. Edwards, D.D., David Davies, Draper, Carlisle- street, Cardiff, to Mary Jones, Ammanford. 390 DAVIES-PRICE. On Tuesday, at Dowlais Parish Church, by the Rev Ll. M. Williams, Rector, D. J. Davies, Grocer, Twynyrodyn, Merthyr, to "Pollie," daughter of Mr J. King Price, Grocer, Dowlais. 486 HOARE-WEBB.-29th inst., at St Mary's Church, by the Rev A. Coe, Mr J. Hoare, of Battersea, London, to Emma, only daughter of Mr LI. Webb, Nibley House, Cathedral-road, Cardiff. 457 DEATHS. DAVIES.—Sept. 26th, at Bron Hwfa, Upper Bangoi, aged 65, the Rev D. C. Davies, M.A., Principal of Trevecca College. 447 DAVIEs.-On the 1st inst., at 51, The Parade, Mary, relict of the late Rees Davies, of Dowlais, and mother of Mrs J. T. Hancock, Castle-road, aged 75 years. 618 HARDING.-On the 30th September, at Penarth, J. A. Harding, late of Aberaman, aged 63 years. 5409 JENKINS.—Sept. 27th inst., at Glynogwr, Blackmill, Bridgend, suddenly, and without previous illness, Thomas Jenkins, C.M. Deacon; aged 83 years. JONES.—On the 24th inst., at Tynyrheol, Neath, Jennett, widow of the late William Jones. MORGAN.-On Tuesday, the 22nd instant, at the re- sidence of his son-in-law, Mr John Davies, West Canal Wharf, Cardiff, Thomas Morgan, late of Bryn- ffynon-terrace, Pontypridd, aged 72 years. PARKER.—On Sept. 26th, at 8, Devon-road, Newport, James Parker, aged 49 years, after an illness for 12 months. For over 20 years in the employ of Messrs Burton and Son. THOMAS.—On Sunday, Sept. 27th, Thomas Thomas. eldest son of Mrs Thomas, Red Cow Inn, Caerphilly. WILLIAMS.—On Friday,Sept. 25th, after a brief illness, Mr William Williams, mechanical engineer, of the Millbrook Engineering Works, Landore, aged 75 years. IN MEMORIAM. SMITH—In loving memory of Edward James Smith (late of the Griffin Hotel, Cardiff), who died October 1,1890. 534 1,1890. 534

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1891. PAST AND FUTURE. DURING the past week two events have occurred which are of more than passing interest to Welsh Nonconformity. The one lifts up the veil from the distant past, the other shows us a glimpse of what the future may be. One had to do more especially with the early struggles of Nonconformity, its time of trial and persecution the other with what may reasonably be expected to be its noontide of prosperity. The one speaks of past dissensions, the other foretells future union. At Penrna-en, in Monmouthshire, was celebrated the bi- centenary of the oldest chapel in the county, and the two hundred and fifty-first anniver- sary of the second oldest Nonconformist Church in the Principality. At Bala was inaugurated the new departure in Welsh Theological training in the formal opening of the institution over which Principal EDWARDS is to preside, and which has been regarded as the Welsh Mansfield College. With reference to the Penmaen meetings the departure from traditional usage is much to be commended. Instead df having a number of meetings all devoted to preach- ing services, as has been the almost in- variable custom, two of the most important were set apart for the reading of papers having a direct bearing upon the occasion which had brought together a representative gathering from a wide surrounding district. We are far from discouraging preaching in connec- tion with anniversary services, but the pulpit is not the only means by which audiences may be edified. Papers dealing with the history and principles of Noncon- formity or the denomination afford an opportunity the pulpit does not always possess of impressing upon the public im- portant truths, and deducing valuable lessons in a direction too frequently ignored. Take, for instance, the papers read at Penmaen. Mr W. JONES (Asaph Gwent) gave a resume of the history of the church at Penmaen, from its birth, in 1640, to the present time, giving the salient features of a record extending over more than two and a half centuries. The inhabitants of the district were thus enabled to compare them- selves, their privileges, and actions with those of their forefathers, and to see how far, and in what manner, they were in- debted to their own efforts or to the efforts of those who preceded them, for what they now enjoyed. The next paper by the Rev Dr. JOHN THOMAS, Liverpool, recounted the trials and perse- cutions of the early Nonconformists in the county, bringing into striking contrast the present and the past, and enabling many to realize possibly for the first time what the modified privileges they now enjoy had cost others. The lessons deduced from the lives of WILLIAM WROTH, WILLIAM ERBURY, and WALTER CRADOC, are lessons sadly needed' at a time when people have been in danger of forgetting that the religious liberties they now enjoy are only enjoyed on sufferance and not as a right. The Rev JACOB JONES, of Mynyddislwyn, traced the gradual growth of Nonconformity in the county generally, taking for the county at large practically the same course as the first speaker had for the locality. The pastor, the Rev ROBERT EVANS, fol- lowed with a treatise on the fundamental principles of his denomination while the Rev D. M. JENKINS, of Liverpool, wound up by driving home the lessons which present-day Nonconformists should learn from the experiences of the past. We need hardly point out how valuable such in- structive papers must be, not alone to the particular denomination in connection with whose meetings they were delivered, but to the great body of Nonconformists. It is perhaps to be regretted that so much work was crowded into so short a space of time. A free general discussion upon each paper would have served to emphasize the lessons it taught. This, however, was impossible under the circumstances, and the papers, with their mass of facts, had to be digested at leisure. The example set at Pen- maen might with advantage be generally followed throughout the country. Such papers as these need not necessarily be confined to anniversary services. One or more of such subjects might with advantage be taken up at the periodical gatherings of each of the denominations. More than this, during the winter months, the young folk — and indeed the adults—connected with most Nonconformist chapels, might far less usefully employ their evenings than by undergoing a course of study in the history and principles of their common Nonconformity, or of their par- ticular denomination. As to the Bala Theological College, we have on previous occasions expressed our approval of the aims and objects which Principal EDWARDS has in view. If by means of this institution Principal EDWARDS can help to lessen sectarian jealousy, to diminish denominational prejudice, and to draw more closely the bonds which unite Nonconformists together, he will have rendered his country invaluable service. Mr THOMAS ELLIS, M.P., pointed out that theological dissensions had divided Wales in the past, and, by dividing, weakened her. The new departure was intended to unify the theology of the nation; in fact, it was in religious matters the outcome of the Nationalist spirit which has done so much to unite and to strengthen Wales politically. It is of course too soon to say whether Principal EDWARDS'S high ideal can, as yet, be realised. All we can say is that Wales will immensely benefit by its realisation.

THE LICENSING SESSIONS. NEVER before, perhaps, have the annual Licensing Sessions received throughout the country so much attention, or aroused anything like so much public interest. The actions of every Bench has been closely watched, not only by the inhabitants of the district more directly concerned in the de- cision, but by the country. generally. There can be no doubt that the decision in the SHARPE v WAKEFIELD case is responsible for this, and that to it is directly traceable the change in the policy of many Licensing Benches. What will at once strike even the most casual observer is the great diversity of opinion held by various licensing authorities both as regards their powers and their duties. What is regarded as legal in one district is as distinctly illegal in another, and what is right in one parish is wrong in the next. On more than one occasion not only have the decisions of the local magistrates been reversed by the general body for the county, but the same Bench has changed its own mind, and, after refusing a licence or licences, has been induced to reopen the question and reverse its own de- cision All this does not tend to increase public respect for unpaid and irresponsible magistrates as licensing autho- rities, and people are beginning to ask themselves how long this state of affairs is to be borne. There can be no reasonable doubt that all this tends to emphasize the demand for a general revision of the licensing laws, and to ripen public opinion on the need for a radical reform in those laws. It is increasingly evident that the country is not inclined to give magistrates much longer the carte blanche they now possess in the matter of granting licences, and that whenever the licensing question is taken in hand, the privileges and powers now enjoyed by an irresponsible, body will be transferred to an authority in which the voice of the people will be directly represented.

A painful incident was witnessed at Waterloo Station, London, on Saturday, on the d jparture of the Hamburg-American boat train. An American gentleman had taken his seat, but just before the train moved off he was seen to be in apparently a dying condition. An American doctor travelling in the same compartment said that the gentleman was dying from heart disease, and before further assistance could be procured the unfortunate traveller expired.

CARDIFF FREE LIBRARY' EXTENSION. Fresh Financial Difficulties. A meeting of the Free Library Committee of tho Cardiff Corporation was held on Thursday, under the presidency of Aid. David Jones. Ten- ders for the erection of the extension to the Free Library and Museum buildings in Working- street were opened. The firms tendering and the prices were as follows, each party specifying, in addition to the total sum for the completion of the building, the amount at which they were pre- pared to undertake the alteration of the existing eastern front, and their charge if the deductions set forth in the possible bill of quantities were made:— Messrs Stephens and Bastow, Bristol, for erection of building, £ 22,499; alterations, £ 1,800; deductions, £700. Messrs Brown and Blackmore, Chatham-street, Liverpool, £ 23,083; alterations, £ 1,462; deductions, £ 1,215. Mr Charles C. Dunn, Cardiff, £ 23,942 12s 7d; altera- tins, £ 1,781 4s 5d deductions, S821 5s lOd. Messrs W. Lowers and Co., Bath-street, Hereford, £ 22,4901; alterations, £ 1,547 10s deductions, £ 1,432. Mr John Hopkins, Newport-road, Cardiff, £22,265 12s 7d alterations, Bl,421 17s Id deductions, £ 1,459 10s9d. Mr D. J. Davies, 64, Crwys-road, Cathays, 225,800 alterations, £ 2,200 deductions, £800. Messrs Burton and Co., Working-street, Cardiff, 221,578 alterations, £ 2,100 deductions, £ 1,000. Messrs Turner and Co., Cardiff, E20,705 altera. tions, £ 1,470; deductions, £ 1,145. Messrs William Thomas and Sons, Cardiff, E23,208 alterations, £1,983 deductions, £ 1,675. The CHAIRMAN pointed out that the lowest tender received exceeded the amount the com- mittee were authorised to spend in the work by something like £ 5,000. Alderman CORY inquired whether the amounts, which were so much in excess of the estimate, were increased by reason of extra wages, or through the adoption of too ornamental a plan. Alderman RRES replied that it. was not very long since the whole thing was projected, and there had been no tremendous increase of wages since then. The structure was in some way or other more expensive than they had intended that it should be. Mr SEWARD stated that he had taken as a basis the cost of the existing building which cubed out at 6d per foot. That would give the estimated cost of the new structure as a little over £ 16,000. There were a few items where some extra expense had been gone to, and which came to some £ 1,100. The difference between the esti- mate and the tenders oould only be accounted for by the uncertainty with regard to the labour question. One contractor told him that id mak- ing his calculations he had found it necessary to make a very considerable allowance in antici- pation of labour difficulties. The men were un- doubtedly going in for the eight hours movement. On pressing the contractor he (Mr Seward) got from him that he had made an allowance in re- spect of this of something like 5 per cent. on the work. The contractors felt that they wera taking the whole risk of what might arise in the future, and the increased cost of building at the present time was largely accountable for that. The CHAIRMAN said the cost of labour and materials had gone up of late, while the hours of work were shorter. Stone, sand, and bricks were much dearer than they were. He suggested that they might alter the character of the work, or reduce the cost in siindry items to bring it within their means. Mr SEWARD enumerated certain modifications which might be made whereby the cost would be reduced by about 21,500. These included the re- jection of a group in sculpture (which Mr W. John was prepared to model and supervise) over the entrance arch, ;E300 heating, £ 100; gas fittings, £ 130; flooring, £527; steps and landings, B150 cellar 2300. Several members spoke against the idea of spoiling the building in a spirit of false economy, or of adopting inferior material with a view to bringing the cost within the estimate. Alderman CORY said the only way they could really make a sensible reduction was by taking off a storev. The TOWN CLERK pointed out that under an Act passed last session for the provision and maintenance of museums the Corporation had power, if they adopted the Act, to levy another %d in the £ The CHAIRMAN pointed out that the School Board rate was likely to be 8rl in the £ per annum there were Technical Education Act and Intermediate Education Act charges as well as Free Library and Museum rates. Where was the increase to end ? Finally, on the motion of Alderman REES, it was resolved that the estimate, tenders, &c., be referred to a sub-committee, consisting of the chairman of the Building Committee, the chair- man of the Free Library Committee, Mr Ballin- ger, and Alderman Rees, who, with the architect, should consider and report to the General Com- mittee the best course to be adopted under existing circumstances.

CARDIFF MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS The Labour Candidates. At a meeting of the Cardiff Trades Council, held at the Black Lion Hotel on Thursday evening, under the presidency of Mr G. Milsom, the replies of the branches affiliated to the council were received with reference to the proposal to "run" Labour candidates at the municipal elections in November. The proceedings were private, but thesecretary (Mr Richards) furnished our representative with the following report The replies were on the whole pronounced to be of a highly satisfactory character, the promises of financial support warranting the Council in deciding to run two candidates. The nominations of candidates were approved, and it was decided to take another plebescite with a view of obtaining the two most popular members. After much discussion, it was agreed to allocate one of the candidates to the Roath and the other to the Cathays Wards. In the Roath there is a vacancy caused by the death of Mr Councillor Reynolds, and in the Cathays Ward the council have reason to believe that Councillor Richards will retire. It was stated outside the meeting that the four members nominated are Mr Gardner (superin- tendent to the N.S. and F.U.), Mr Davis (secretary to the N.A.L.U.), Mr Chasey (plasterer), and Mr J. H. Davis (carpenter). The ballot papers will be issued at once.

STRANGE ADVENTURE OF A SOMNAMBULIST. About nine o'clock on Sunday evening persons walking in Westminster-bridge-road were greatly concerned to find in their midst a young woman walking in her sleep. A short time before the hour named the young woman, who had neither shoes nor headdress, and was covered with a long cloak, made her appearanoe in St George's-road, Southwark, and, walking past Bethlehem Hos- pital towards Westminster-bridge-road, soon attracted attention by her peculiar manner and garb. The strange figure was at first regarded with surprise by a few people only, but their numbers grew, and by the time the railway-arch in Westminster bridge road was reached the crowd had assumed considerable proportions. At this spot the somnambulist, who was awakened probably by the buzz and excitement of the crowd, suddenly paused, and, rubbing her eyes, began to cry upon finding herself in so singular a situation. A police-officer here came upon the scene, and the young woman, who soon recovered her composure, got into a cab and was conveyed .to her home in West-street, St George's-road.

CARDIFF RATEPAYERS' ASSOCIATION. The Stipendiary's Salary. At a meeting held on Thursday evening, it was unanimously resolved that a protest against the §roposed increase in the salary of tne Cardiff tipendiary be sent to the Cardiff County Counci 1 the amount now being paid for three days weekly being quite sufficient, according to the salaries sett in ether similar towns, |

The Welsh Campaign in England. THE NEWCASTLE MEETINGS. NKWCASTLE-ON-TYNE, Thursday. The fourteenth annual Conference of the National Liberal Federation was commenced this afternoon in the Town-hall at Newcastle-on- Tyne. There was an unusually large number of gentlemen present, about 2,000 delegates having been appointed to attend. Dr R. Spence Watson, president of the Federation, occupied the chair, and amongst those who accompanied him upon the platform were the Marquis of Ripon, Lord Brassey, Mr John Morley, M.P., Sir Wilfrid Lawson, M.P., Mr H. H. Fowler, M.P., Sir C. M. Palmer, M.P., Mr Henry Broad hurst, M.P., Sir Horace Davey, Q.C., M.P., Mr James Craig, M.P., Mr Sydney Buxton, M.P., Mr Schnadhorst, secretary of the Federation Mr R. A. Hudson, assistant- secretary ;and many other well-known gentlemen. Several female delegates attended. SPEECH BY DR SPENCE WATSON. The CHAIRMAN, in opening the proceedings, said they all rejoiced that their great leader, Mr Gladstone—(cheers)—was able to be once more among them. (Cheers.) Last year, in Sheffield, they met under a heavy cloud. The affairs of Ireland, which were always uppermost in the minds of Liberals, were in a very critical state, and now, after 12 months, they could rejoice in that cloud having passed away, in the fact of the Irish people and the Irish party having shown emphatically how admirably fitted they were to deal with one of the most serious crises that any people or party could have to deal with. (Cheers.) On many matters they had made progress since the last meeting. They were delighted that free education, in a sense, had become a fact, but they would agree with the Federation in pointing out that no measure of free education which was not accompanied by popular control could ever be satisfactory. (Cheers.) They would also rejoice that Welsh Disestablishment had made decided headway. (Hear, hear.) The fact of the second reading of the Welsh Liquor Veto Bill was one which also gave them gratification. (Hear, hear.) The whole question of dealing with the liquor traffic was one of the most important issues with which they would have to deal. (Cheers.) The report of which he had to move the adoption showed that satisfactory pro- gress had been made by the Liberal Federation. The Federation wasformed on the most absolutely democratic basis, and existed for the purpose of ascertaining the opinion of the party through the various associations. That was a meeting for making declarations rather than for discussion of the objects. Certainly they did discuss objects, but not at the annual meetings and conferences. Defending the course which was adopted in the matter of procedure, Dr Watson said that a General Purposes Committee prepared all the resolutions on those which were submitted to them from the associations, and then the annual conference brought them forward as the declarations of the party which they were prepared to fight for with all their hearts Referring to the recent Trades' Congress and their discussion of the eight hours' question, he defended the attitude which the Federation took up on the matter last year. Only five associations had sent up resolutions on the question, and out of those there were four diflerent opinions. The question was. therefore, still in the stage of discussion and argument. Under the circum- stances could it be said that it was a question upon which the great Liberal party could pro- nounce? (Cheers.) They did not wish to stifle discussion, but they wished the question to be searched out to the very bottom—(cheers)—and they were prepared to give a general committee meeting for the discussion of it. He claimed that the Liberal party had worked side by side with the working men, who were really the back- bone of their party, and they looked forward to the coming election with absolute confidence. (Cheers.) They would then fight side by side, and he was confident that they would secure a victory for the cause of justice to Ireland and the cause of the people against class and privilege. (Cheers.) In conclusion he moved the adoption of the report of the council, which has already been published. Thr Rev Canon BDLSTRODE, Ipswich, who seconded the resolution, said he felt that its adop- tion by the meeting meant a great historical event, and a great move forward in Liberal pro- gress. This annual meeting derived deep impor- tance from the fact that we were nearing a general election. In allusion to Irish affairs he expressed the opinion that the Irish party was better organised at the present time, and better fit to take its place in the National Council, and to re- present Ireland, than it was before Mr Parnell's fall. He spoke in favour of the establishment of parochial councils, and said he should like toseethe parson, the tithe, and the church all thrown into the melting pot. (Loud laughter and cheers) They should be brought more into one, and if the parochial council absorbed them all he should not object. (Loud cheers and laughter.) Mr JOHN MORLEY addressed the meeting in support of the resolution, which was then put and adopted. HOME RULE FOR IRELAND Sir EDWARD GREY, M.P., moved the following resolution, viz. :— That this conference holds thae the case for Home Rule in Ireland has been still further confirmed by the steadfastness, sound judgment, and moderation with which the great body of the Irish people have, during the last year, successfully faced one of the sharpest ordeals in political history, and it looks with unshaken confidence to Mr Gladstone upon his return to power to frame and, in spite of idle menaces from the House of Lords, to pass a measure which shall fully satisfy the just demands of Ireland and leave the Imperial Parliament free to attend to the pressing claims of Great Britain for its own reforms. The resolution was adopted. DISESTABLISHMENT FOR WALES; Mr THOMAS ELLIS, M. P. for Merionethshire, moved :— That this Council reaffirms its belief that the time has come for the Disestablishment and Disendowment of the Church of England in Wales, and for the application of tithes to the public purposes of the Principality and declares that this question should be dealt with in the next Parliament as soon as Irish Home Rule is attained. He said Welshmen had been allowed four times to lay their grievance before the Federation, and the Federation had pledged themselves to redress that grievance. Once again they asked the Con- ference to renew their pledge, and they asked itnot only on account of political justice, but in the in- terests of the religious life and of the social peace of Wales. Those who were representatives of rural England knew how the Established Church embittered and impoverished the life of their villages. (Cheers.) Every baneful influence that it exercised there was accentuated in every village and country town in Wales. Some denied this. A dignitary and champion of the English Church in Wales lately said that at the present moment the one difficulty in the way of religious union and re-union in Wales from the Noncon- formist point of view was the relation of the Church to the State. But in reality," he said, this is not a difficulty; it exists only in the imagination." Did it exist only in imagination ? Let the facta speak. The Welsh peasants had their goods distrained for tithe, their corn, their cattle, their hay, even their pigs and potatoes were .seized in the name of religion. (Laughter.) Auctioneers, bailiffs, emergency men, police, and soldiers invaded their homesteads. One peasant in the county of Cardigan not twelve months ago had to pay JB98 198 9d for a tithe liability of £10 15s lOd. Yet, according to this dignitary, it was all imagination. Tithe-paid clergymen exercised every device and ingenuity in order to frustrate and defeat the Burials Act, and by technicalities to harass those who mourned for the dead. The schools, the charities, and other means were used as weapons for proselytising, and even the Bishops were the leaders of the anti-national movement in the Principality. In fact, one of the Bishops never lost an opportunity of denouncing and denying the nationality of Wales. That circumstance was made peculiarly comical by the fact that in his pre-episcopalian days he gloried in the name of Jones. (Laughter and cheers.) Another Bishop insulted the lan- guage of Wales, and a third denounced the farmers who had protested against the pay- ment of tithe as dishonest and im- moral. But the insults felt by Welshmen and Nonconformists were all imagination." Even the £4,200 paid to each of the bishops was all imagination, although it happened to be paid out of the hard earnings of Nonconformist peasantry. (Hear, hear.) No! It was not a matter of imagination, it was a real, pressing, bitter wrong. (Cheers.) Tried by every demo- cratic test, the Establishment in Wales was as indefensible as Dublin Castle in Ireland. (Laughter and cheers.) Next week Church- men from all over the United King- dom were going to meet at a Congress in Rhyl in order to talk over the Church revival in Wales. But the soul of Wales had quitted the Episcopalian Establishment, and it was the spirit of ascendency and of privilege which was trying to galvanise its friends to it. With all ita phenomenal activity under threat of Disestablish- ment, the Church was still a mere minority in almost every parish in Wales. It was anti- national in its sympathies and in its action, and it strained its legal and social privileges so insidiously here and so wantonly there as to create constant ill will and irritation. The continuance of the Estab- lishment under these conditions was to Welshmen a degradation. (Hear, hear.) For two centuries the Welsh, in spite of the hostility ot their nominal rulers, had built up their own religious organisations. They had dotted their hillsides, and their valleys, with places of worship. They had purified the moral atmosphere of Wales and quickened its intellectual life. And yet the first fruits of their land, their toil and thrift, was filched from them by law to build and maintain a castle for Episcopa- lianism, which in Wales was the creed of a class and for Toryism, which was the gospel of privilege. (Cheers.) To a continuance of this degradation Wales had determined, onca and for ever, that she would not submit. (Cheers.) They were not likely to waver in their determina- tion to be rid of the Establishment. To-day Wales appealed for freedom, and they were con- fident that the democracy of England would to that appeal give an early, a generous, and an enthusiastic response. (Cheers.) Major EVAN R. JONES, formerly of Newcastle- on-Tyne, and now of Cardiff, in seconding the resolution, said that in the bitter and hostile attitude against conceding to the Welsh nation absolute religious equality there was a slight trace of the spirit which, from the reign of Charles I. until that of George the.Thirds filled our-jails with prisoners, out westward bound ships with exiles, and our forests with Nonconformist fugi- tives. The Welsh Nonconformists had no quarrel with the Episcopalian Church. They only objected to its connection with the State, and 4he iu^uaJify, the injustice, and the oettv tyranny which were everywhere inseparable from this connection. It was so when the Lutheran Church was associated with the Stata in Ger- many; it was so with the Presbyterians in Scotland; it was sc with Catholics and Pro. testants both in England and in France. The conditions existing in Wales were different from those in England. The Chureh in Wales, histori- cally, was the church of the oppressor. It had been an engine for stifling the language, crushing the spirit, and breaking the heart of the Cymric race. It was the church of the rich, yet drew its sustenance largely from men who never darkened its portals. It was the church of a section, a comparatively small section, of the people. Usurping the national title, with rare ana glori- ous exceptions, it was the church of men who sneered at the language, and who were absolutely indifferent to the nistory, the hopes, and the aspirations of the people; and he said that to maintain that order of things was an injury and an insult to as loyal, as religious, and as law-abiding a people as were to be found within the Queen's dominions. (Cheers.) The Welsh people appealed to that conference to-day as the flower of the Liberal aruy on the eve of a great campaign. Full of faith, those whom he represented, by virtue of their devotion to Liberal principles and their long suffering, asked the Liberal party to make this cause in earnest their own, and to win for the Welsh nation the oft-deferred but priceless boon of religious equality. (Loud cheers.) The resolution was then put to the conference, and carried unanimously. POWERS OF MUNICIPALITIES. Professor BRYCE, M.P., moved:- That this Council declares that the interests of good government urgently demand that the London County Council should without delay be put in possession of full municipal powers, including the control of its own gas and water supplies, markets, and police, and should, by taxation of ground values, and by other financial reforms, be enabled to govern and improve the Metropolis without undue pressure upon the occupying ratepayers, and that such powers should be enjoyed by all other municipalities. Iu supporting the resolution Mr Bryce said the reforms specified in the resolution were called for alike by principles of financial justice and of local self-government. It was contrary to those principles that London should still present, in regard to the great questions of police, gas, water, etc., those glaring and increasing anomalies which claimed the early and serious attention of the Liberal party. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) Professor STUABT, M.P., in seconding the resolu- tion, said that the people of London were 50 years behind the rest of the world, and asked urgently for an early completion of their municipal organisation. What they wanted to do in London was to put the burdens upon the right shoulders —(hear, hear)—and to see that those who profited so largely from the great expenditure of muni- cipal funds should be called upon to contribute their fair share. (Cheers.) London had been sadly neglected because London had had no voice, and this had, unfortunately, in the past encouraged those anti-Liberal tendencies which flourished on indifference. The resolution was adopted nem. eon. FREE EDUCATION. Mr SYDNBY BUXTON, M.P., moved the follow- ing resolution:— That this Council expresses its satisfaction that the principle of free education, which for five years has been a prominent feature in the resolutions of the Federation, has been embodied in legislation, but regards the Act now in operation as partial and defec- tive, since it fails to recognise the right of public control, and does not secure that the increased grant shall be devoted to greater educational efficiency, and, by omitting, at the instance of the House of Lords, the provision that free accommodation shall be suitable as well as sufficient, disregards the conscientious convictions of many parents. The council again declares that no system of public elementary education can be regarded as satisfactory or final unless it secures that every family shall have, within reasonable reach, a free school, and that all schools supported by public money shall be subject to public representative control. The resolution was passed, and the conference then adjourned until Friday morning.

THE WEEK'S HEALTH BILl. The return of the Registrar-General for the week endingSaturday last, 26th September, shows that the rates of mortality in the several towns, arranged in order from the lowest, were as follows:— Halifax 6-9 Bolton 21 3 Derby 13-2 Hull 213 Norwich K-9 Liverpool 216 Bristol.. 153 Newcastle-on-'iyne.. 22-8 Portsmouth 160 Leeds 23-0 London 16-3 Sa,1ford 23-9 Bradford 17-3 Manchester 24-1 Birmingham 18-4 Leicester 24-9 Nottingham. 18*4 Plymouth 25-3 Brighton. 18*5 Oldham 25*3 Huddersfleld 196 Prestou 265 Cardiff. 19-6 Wolverhampton 28'3 Sheffield 21*2 Blackburn 29 0 Birkenhead -21-3 Sunderland 33*0

It has been definitely decided that the Duke of Connaught will next spring relinquish the com- mand of the Portsmouth district, in order to sue. ceed Sir FI-ederisk ^jfefrts as Connaa^ej.in, Chief m India.

SECONDJSDlTlOJl SUICIDE OF GENERAL BOULANGER. BRUSSELS, WEDNESDAY* » General Boulanger committed suicide to d^y |t a few minutes after mid-day by shooting h¡Ul'she with a revolver in the Ixelles Cemetery by grave of Madame de Bonnemain, the lady "■1 accompanied him in his various travels sojourns since his departure from France, whose recent death caused him the deepest The ball entered the temple, penetrating brain, and death was instantaneous. General Boulanger had during the last days been gloomy and depressed, and betrayed much nervousness in his manner. declined to receive visitors, and, indeed, see no one except the members of his own hold. He did not, however, confide to an7 person his intention to destroy himself. Till, morning he drove with his niece a.n. secretary in a landau to the cemetery, which he jooo had visited daily of late. He left his companlO d in the carriage outside the enclosure, n g entered the burial ground alone. his accustomed route to the grave, walked three times round the which marks the last resting-place of Madame Bonnemaine,then drew a loaded revolver froUl bl, pocket and shot himself through the head. noise attracted the guardian of the cemetery, ran to the tomb, and there found the corpse. The guardian obtained assistance and conveys the body to the landau, which driven first to the office of the Commissary 0 Police, who took down the statements of thos* > accompanying it. The carriage then drove to the residence of the deceased, in tne Rue Montoyet. The news had by that time become known to good many people in the streets, and a Crowd collected, necessitating the attendance of pollCØ" men to keep the street clear for traffic, and tO guard the house from intrusion. The French Minister in Brussels was at once advised of occurrence, and telegraphed the news to hi* Government in Paris. Biographical Particulars. [FBOM MEN AND WOMEN OF THE TIMS." General George Ernest Jean Marie Boulanger» French ex-Minister of War, was born at Rennet 1837. His mother, who is still alive, is a native of Wales. In 1856 he was appointed sub-lieuteO" ant in 1st Regiment of Algerian Tirailleur3- From that timedhis military career had been vetf distinguished, and his advance in his proftWIOØ unusually rapid. In 1857 he took part in tb* Kabyle expedition. In 1859 he was wounded at Turbigo, and received the decoration of the of Honour after three years' service. In was with the expedition in Cochin China. During the Franco-Prussian war he acted as Chief Battalion in the army of Paris, and was WOUD at Champi^ny, In 1880 he was appointed Brig*" dier-General, in which position he began to sho* signs of a great talent for organisation. He wa3' moreover, sent to the United States as head of tb* mission on the Centenary of Independence. For a short time he was attached to the War Office ajj Director of Infantry, which position he quitted to proceed as General of Division in Africa. 11 20 months he returned to the War Office as Minister, January 7th, 1886. During his of previous offices he had shown great zeal determination. His activity had led in some instances to dispute. Such had been the result I Tunis of his arbitrary resolution to exalt the tary over the civil authority. During his ear*? career he had, moreover, been in close relation* with the Extreme Left in politics, and hi» appointment was regarded as a concession to power of M. Clemenceau. His Republican spø; pathies were shown by the energy with which be urged forward the expulsion of the Princes froO1 France, though it was afterwards proved that had written in almost fulsome terms of gratitude to the Due d'Aumale, his superior officer, whe# promoted Brigadier-General. The General is energetic and capable organiser, and was, his downfall, described as the rising hope of party of La Revanche in France. At election of 1888 the General was elected for Nord by 172.528 votes as against 75,901 for most successful opponent. In July of that year be fought a duel with M. Floquet, and was severely wounded in the throat. He was idohsed by the populace as the coming man who was to Sale France from the blunders of incomp^ tent statesmen but having been by the Senate with appropriating while Minister of War, £ 10,000 of money for the purposes of his own propaganda he fled first to Brussels, and then to London, 10 order to avoid arrest. It is said that the sinews of war for the support of Bouisf" gerism were supplied by the Duchess d'Oz^s, a amounted to 3,000,000 francs.