The Cardiff Times

A STRIKE DISTURBANCE. Mysterious Brick Throwing. On Monday, in front of the Union-hall, Wappiag, in connection with the strike at the Carron and Hermitage Wharves, about a dozen free labourers, accompanied by four policemen, were on their way to Carron Wharf when they were saluted with a shower of bricks from the roof of the hall, and scattered in all directions. A large number of extra police shortly arrived, but the brick ihrowing being continued a raid was rcade on the hall, and on its being found that thre was no communication between the body of the hall and the roof, the Union men and I officials who happened to be in the building were .imply locked in, and the police failed to arrest any of the brick throwers. The Union officials disclaim all knowledge of the affair. Only one man was taken into custody during the dis- turbance, and he has no connection either with the Union or the strike. Work at "he Hermitage and Carron Wharves is almost at a complete standstill this morning, The carmen in the employment of the cartage con- tractor took their teams as usual to the wharves to-day, but on reaching there refused to either load or unload. The lightermen, too, have a grievance. The Piasters are holding a meeting for the purpose of deciding upon a definite action to overcome the difficulty. The situation at the wharves this afternoon is unchanged, but the strikers are increasing in numbers, and are becoming somewhat turbulent.

AMALGAMATED SOCIETY OF RAILWAY SERVANTS. A largely-attended meeting of railway em- ployees of tne principal local lines was held on Sunday afternoon in the Cyirnnrodorion-hall, St. Mary-street, Cardiff, for the purpose of consider- ing the advisability of establishing in the neigh- bourhood a second branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants. For some time past, it appears, a certain amount of difficulty has been experienced by the railway men resident in Roath and the more distant parts of the district in attending the usual weekly meetings of the society held in the centre of the town. Some time ago the question of forming a No. 2 branch was brought forward, and it has been discussed from time to time since. At Saturday night's meeting of the society it was decided to convene a special meeting of all the members for Sunday, so that the matter might be finally threshed out, when the attendance was as large as possible. The chair at the meeting in question was occupied by Mr Rees Davies, president of the branch. A resolution was carried at the outset to the effect that it was undesirable at that stage of the question that representatives of the Press should be present but as the result of some two hours discussion, it was resolved that a second branch be formed for the Roath, Splot- land, and East Moors district (the majority of the Rhymney Railway men living in that part of the town), and that the necessary sanction to such a course be forthwith applied for to the executive of the society in London. It is not considered probable that any objection to the action of the Cardiff society will be raised at headquarters.

THE DISPUTE AT UPPER FOREST STEEL WORKS. Arbitration Decided Upon. The question as to the percentage of a reduction tf wages (if any) at these works is to be decided by arbitration, four arbiters to be appointed by the employers and four by the men, the reduction not to exceeu 10 per cent, and work is to be re- sumed as soon as possible without waiting the result of tbe arbitration, the men agreeing to go in on the new terms which may be decided upon by the arbitrators. Work, it is expected, will be resumed on Monday week, 12th inst. The news will be welcomed in Morriston and district, as these works employ a large number of hands and have now been idle for 14 weeks on account of the men standing out against a 10 percent, reduc- tion.

ABERAMAN COLLIERY. We are asked to give publicity to the following report of the inspection of the Aberaman Colliery workings :—" We, the undersigned, being work- men in the above-named mine and appointed by our fellow workmen to inspect the same on their behalf (Ill conformity with General Rule No. 381 of the Mines Regulation Act), hereby declare that we have duly 'made such inspection and that the following i" a true report of the results thereof, iz. Shafts, levels, planes, and man-holes, in good condition working places, excellent condition return airways, ventilating apparatus, old work- ings, and machinery, all in good condition. Vie, the undersigned, consider than the general condition of this colliery is remarkably good, and that great credit is due to the man- ager and the officials. Dated this 1st day of October, 1891. EVAN LEWIS, I JOHN Kei.tow, "JOHN GIBBON, j "MOBGAN JONBS, "EVAN DAVIES, | "JOHN WHITE.

THE MINERS' HOLIDAY. Caerphilly. A general district meeting of the Caerphilly Miners' Association was held at the Market-hall, Caerphilly, on Monday, presided over by Mr Fred. Davies, and the vice-chair being occupied by Mr Thomas Weston. Mr Lewis Miles (see.) presented a report showing the strength and financial position of the association. A resolution was then proposed by Mr William Thomas, Bedwas. seconded by Mr William Richards, Caerphilly, bearing testimony to the good work done by the association in settling disputes which had arisen during the past year, and expressing a hope that its future proceedings would be marked by the same conciliatory spirit. The next item on the agenda was the appoint- ment of a representative on behalf of this asso- ciation to attend coroners' inquiries and investi- gate cases in dispute that may occur at collieries connected with the association. Two names were submitted for the consideration of the meeting, viz., Mr Lewis Miles and Mr Thomas Weston, Caerphilly. The voting resulted in the unanimous selection of Mr Lewis Miles (district secretary). Mr Edward Jones (Rhos- llantwit) was elected district representative for the next six months. Other minor matters were discussed for some time. The usual vote of thanks to the officials terminated the proceedings. Eisteddvod at Blackwood. An eisteddvod was held in the Drill Hall, Blackwood, on Monday, and attracted a numer- ous attendance. The duties of secretary were ably discharged by Mr Henrv Jones, of Twyn- ffald. Mr D. W. Lewis, F.T.S.C., Brynaman, was the adjudicator, and his awards appeared to give general satisfaction. Brass Band Contest at Pontypridd. The chief attraction at the People's Park, Pontypridd, was an important brass band oontest, for which as many as 10 contestants had entered. During the morning the bands competed in a marching contest, a prize of £2 being offered for the best performance of the quick march, "The Lion." In the chief competition, the prizes offered were First, second, £10; and third, JB5, the contest being held under the rules of the South Wales and Monmouthshire Brass Band Association. The test piece was Mari tana, arranged by Mr H. Round, of Liverpool, and Mr J. Jackson, of the Leeds Force, adjudicated. The following bands competed in both contests:—Llanelly Town Band, conductor, Mr James Samuel; Aberaman Brass Band, conductor, Mr James Prestwood; 1st G.A.V. Band, Morriston, conductor, Mr G. Hanney; Cymmer Colliery Band, conductor, Mr R. Martyn; Pentre Rifle Band, conductor, Mr J. Blamey; Nawtowa (Montgomery) Brass Band, conductor, Mr W, C. Phillips Mountain Ash Brass Band, conductor, Mr H. Baker Ferndale Brats Band, conductor Mr W. R. Howe. The Heckmondwioke Old Brass Band had also entered, but did not appear, In the marching contest the award was given in favour of the Morriston Band and in the selec- tion the winners were-1, 1st GA.V., Morriston 2, Newtown 3, Ferndale. The performance of the Mountain Ash Band was also highly com- mended. The adjudicator declared the contest to have been an excellent one in every respect, and he had had great difficulty in arriving at a decision. Eisteddvod at Penygraig. A very successful eisteddvod was held in a pavilion under the presidency of Mr D. Leyshon, Pontypridd. There was a large attendance. The adjudicators were :—Music, Taliesen Hopkins poetry, Morgan Thomas, Tylacelyn-road, Peny- graig; drawing, Alderman J. Jones Griffiths, Penygraig. For the prize offered to choirs for the best rendering of Y Ffrwd no contest took place, and this caused great disappointment. For the award offered to parties two competed, Williamstown and Penygraig, and the latter was successful. The prize offered for the best traethawd was awarded to Ap Persis, Dinas. Duet four parties con- tested. The best were Emlyn and Gwiiym, of Glyn, near Tonyrefail. Solo tenor, 12 competi- tors the best was Gwilym of Glyn. Solo bass, five competed best, J. D. Evans, Penygraig. Poetry best, Edward Edwards, Porth. Draw- ing, several contested; best, Harry Shepherd, Penygraig. Eisteddvod at Hirwain. An eisteddvod was held on Monday in a spacious pavilion in a field adjoi»ing the Post- office at Hirwain. The proceedings were arranged to commence at 11 o'clock, and soon after that hour the chair was taken by Sir W. Thomas Lewis, the president of the day, and the eistedd- vod opened by Mr R. C. J en kins, of Llanelly, by singing "HenWIad fy Nhadau." The conductor was Mr J. W. Morgan, Bryn- heulog. The adjudicators wero: Music, Mr R. C. Jenkins, R.A M., Llanelly Mr W. Thomas (Eos Wenallt), Aberdare, acting as preliminary adjudicated: on the solos. See., ail the Victoria Hall. The brass band adjudicator was Mr Thomas Seddon, of Kettering, while the Rev J. Harry, y of Hirwain, adjudicated in the poetry, &c. Mr E. Walters, Bevan's-terrace. Hirwain, was secretary, and an energetic committee had done all in their power to make the eisteddvod the success it proved to be. After a brief opening speech by Sir William Lewis the competitions were proceeded with, the awards beiug Pianoforte solo for youths under 18.—Eleven com- peted, and the prize was divided between William Morgan, Dowlais, and Griffith Thomas, Tylorstown. A second prize being given by Sir W. T. Lewis to a young girl whose name we failed to ob:ain. Contralto solo—" Oh rest in the Lord."—Sixteen competed, only three of whom appeared on the plat- form, the winner being Rachel Ann Thomas, Cefn Pennar. Adjudication to the elegy on Mr Thomas, Brecon Arms, Penderyn.—Winner, Rev. H. T. Jacob, Aber- dare. Male Voice Competition.—Four parties competed, f le viz., Ynyshir Minstrels, Rhondda Fach Glee Society, Hirwain Glee Society, andTylorstown Glee Society. The prize was awarded to the Rhondda Rich Glee Society, Mardy, Mr D. Evans (Eos Dai) being the conductor a second prize being a warded by Sir William to the Tylorstown Glee Society, led by Gwyn Alaw. Soprano solo, "I know that my Redeemer liveth. Ten competitors the winner being Mrs Price Hughes (Llinos Buallt), Mountain Ash. Brass Band Competition, "Pride of Wale.-t.Five bands competed, viz., Ysgnborwen Temperance Band, North Dunraven Band, Blaenrhondda, Aberavon Ex- celsior Band, Maesteg Volunteer Band, and the Trede- gar Volunteer Baud. The 1st prize was awarded to the Ysgnborwen Temperance Band (conductor, J. Manley); the 2nd to the North Dunraven Band (conductor, J. R. Allen) and the 3rd to the Tredegar Bftnd. (conductor, T. Hardy). Baritone solo, Merch y Cubden," 42 competitors. The prize was awarded to D. Davies, Trecynon. Recitatioa, "The Shrew." 32 competitors. The prize was awarded to T. P. Williams, Resolven. Elegy to the late Rev J. R. Williams, Xebo. The prize was awarded to Watkyn Wyn. Chief choral competition. This was the great com- petition of the day, five choirs entering the arena, in the following order Dowlais Merthyr United Choir, Hirwain United Choir, Ynyshir Choir, Dowlais Music Lovers, and Mountain Ash Harmonic Society The prize was divided between the Ynyshir Choir (conducted by Mr D. Davies) and the Dowlais-Merthyr United Ghoir (conducted by Mr Henry Smith, A.C.). In the evening an excellent concert was given in the Victoria-hall. Treherbert. An eisteddvod was held here on Monday. The president for the day was to have been Alderman W. Morgan, J.P., of Tynewyd, but owing to unforeseen circumstances he could not be present. His place, however, was ably tilled by Mr D. Williams, saddler, of Treherbert. The principal awards were :—Tenor solo, Gwiiym Taf, Maesteg; recitation, Mis3 Gwen Williams, Tynewydd part-song, Pontycymmer party, conductor, Mr J. Phillips bass solo, Mr Jenkin Rees, Maesteg male voice competition, Tre- herbert party, led by Mr J. J. J ones; soprano solo, Miss Edith Thomas, Tynewydd. Next came the great event of the day, the chief choral competition. The test piece was Yr Haf," by Gwilym Gwent. The prize offered was JB20. Threo choirs competed, viz., Blfenycwm, Tonypandy, and Pontycymmer, the last of which took the prize, its conductor being Mr John Phillips. The adjudicators for the day were Mr D. Bowen, Abercan, and Rev H. Harries (Afanwy), Treherbert; pianist, Mr D. Lloyd, Tonypandy. These gentlemen gave perfect satis- faction. The proceeds of the eisteddvod go to the building fund of the Welsh Baptist Church, Blaenrhondda.

JUDGE BISHOP AT NEATH COUNTY-COURT. COUNTY -COURT. At the Neath county-court on Tuesday, after the disposal of the judgment summonses, Mr C. H. Glascodine, barrister, addressing Judge Bishop upon his first sitting at the Neath county- court, said he desired to offer his Honour a hearty welcome on behalf of the profession of which he was the senior member in court, but before doing so he wished to be allowed to say a word with regard to Judge Beresford, and to express the hope that he would live long to enjoy a well- merited repose. He had sat as judge in that court for 15 years, and during that tune he was always admitted to be a sound lawyer, well skilled and versed in the principles of law, and by his attention to the business of the court had inspired practitioners with the deepest feelings cii respect for him, and bad earned the goodwill of alL At the same time they wished to extend a hearty welcome to his Honour as his successor on coming amongst them-not, it was true, without considerable experience in the work. Many years ago his Honour joined that circuit, afterwards adminis- tering justice with great discretion as stipendiary at Merthyr and Aberdare, and latterly as judge of the county-courts in North Wales. It was a matter for congratulation that his Honour had been born and bred in Wales, and was well skilled and versed in the Welsh language, having also spent the greater part of his life amongst the Welsh people. He was sure it would be a pleasure for them to appear before him, and he again welcomed him amongst them as the judge of that court. (Applause.) Mr W. Robinson Smith, in an eloquent address, said that on behalf of the members of the lower profession he wished to add his congratula- tions, and was glad to find that his Honour came amongst them with all the vigour and strength and capacity which was necessary to deal with the matters which would come before him. Judge Bishop said he wished to thank them very much for their kind words of welcome to him. It was very gratifying to him to come back amongst his old friends, and he hoped their relatfons would be of the most cordial character. With regard to his predecessor, it must be very grati- fying to him to learn of the high eulogiums which had been passed, and which he felt certain were well merited. Coming after such an erudite lawyer and judge, he could only hope that by patience and strict integrity, and with the assist- ance of his learned friends, he would be able to merit the same expressions of good wilL (Ap- plause. ) The business of the court was then proceeded with.

THE REPRESENTATION OF CARMARTHEN BOROUGHS. A meeting of the Executive of the Llanelly Liberal Three Hundred was held on Saturday night at the Liberal Club, Dr J. A. Jones pre- siding over an attendance of 27 members out of the 30 who form the committee, the newly-elected secretaries (Messrs D. R. Williams and J. Rbis Samuel) being also present. The proceedings were of a private nature, but at the request of the committee our representative was informed that a deputation was appointed to confer next Saturday with the Carmarthen electors, subject to the date being convenient to the latter. It was also decided that a meeting of the Llanelly Council, or the Liberal Three Hundred, should be held next Saturday week to receive nomina- tions of candidates, after which a general meeting of the electors will be held to make the selection.

SUICIDE OF A TOWN CLERK. Mr George Mercer, Town Clerk of the Borough of Deal and county coroner, committed suicide at nine o'clock on Mon- day morning by shooting himself with a re- volver. Mr Mercer was a member of the firm of Mercer, Edwards and Company, solicitors, and had an extensive practice in the neighbourhood. Financial difficulties, however, having arisen, a petition was filed in the Bankruptcy Court on Thursday last. Mr Edwards, a partner in the firm, had also been missing from the town for two months, and this circumstance, added to financial troubles, had affected Mr Mercer so much that he was almost prostrate, and on Thursday last his resignation was accepted as clerk of Walmer Local Board. The deceased first fired at his head, but this shot not ending fatally he fired a second shot, which pierced his heart. The occurrence has caused a profound sensation in the neighbourhood.

RECOVERY OF INCOME-TAX. The Chancellor of the Exchequer writes as follows, through one of his secretaries, in answer to a letter respecting the law relating to income- tax "I am directed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to reply to your letter of the 18th inst. and to acquaint you that collectors of taxes are not required by law to deliver demand notes, but merely to make demand for the taxes assessed. If, however, a demand note is not given in full, details of the charge must be given in full when payment is made. Taxed are payable on demand on the 1st January in each year, and the collector having made one personal application for pay. ment without effect, may distrain immediately and without farther notice for the amount."

I The Church Congress. -4' MEETINGS AT RHYL Tuesday's Proceedings. On Tuesday, the Church Congress entered with vigour upon the work sketched out for its Rhyl meeting. In sermon, presidential address, paper, and speech, it has been vindicating the Church's position in Wales. The agitation for Disestablish- ment seemed to have stirred, if it had not terrorised, everybody. The argument for State connection and sufficient endowment to carry on spiritual work were urged strenuously in every address. The historical claims of the Church in Wales were urgently pressed; statistics were cited to clear it from any reproach of apathy or declension; and the weak places in the enemy's armour were exposed with special reference to the struggle felt to be impending. All this was generally regarded as an essential preliminary to the class of subject which usually occupy the Congress, and which will be considered on sub- sequent days. At two o'clock the Congress met in the hall in the Summer Gardens. This edifice was originally built for a skating rink, and it is a long, oblong hall with a concrete floor, a narrow gallery at each side, and a light spar roof. It was tastefully decorated, and when filled contained about 2,500 ladies and gentlemen. The Bishop of St. Asaph (Dr. Edwards) took the chair, and he was sup- ported by the Archbishops of Canterbury, Yonc, and Armagh. The Church m Relation to Noncon- formity. The PRESIDENT, the right rev. the Bishop of St. Asaph, then delivered the inaugural address. He said :—In the name of this diocese I bid a hearty welcome to the Church Congress upon this its first visit to North Wales. I know I may interpret your presence here to-day as a special mark of your sympathy with and interest in the Church in Wales; and you will not resent my effort to give such information as I can with regard to that church. It would be affectation to ignore the special atck which is made upon tho Church in Wales. In touching upon the subject let me make my own position clear. I am opposed to the effort which is being made to" remove the Church in Wales from her historical position. I believe that the effort, if successful, would be pernicious and hurtful to the best interests of the Principality. It would throw back the work of the Church, none can say hpw far or how much it would rob "her of the fruits of years of strenuous effort and self-denial onthepart of her children. Churchmen would suffer, but I hold most strongly that their loss would be in the long run less than that of our Nonconformist brethren. Three statements—and three only- are made against the Church in Wales, in the single utterance, which deserves and demands our attention. I allude to what Mr Gladstone said last February, viz. 1. It is the Church of the few against the Church of the many. 2. It is the Church of the rich as against the Church of the comparatively poor. 3. And lastly, the Noncon- formists are not contented. THK STATISTICAL ARGUMENT. In dealing with the first point, let me at once say that I do not regard the statistical argument as one of first-rate importance; but our critics think otherwise. Again and again this minority argument is marched into the field in the imposing array of a generality. At one time it advances with a bold front of 13 to 1, wavers and retires to 9 to 1, and eventually to 2 to 1, and between these two points of 13 to 1 and 2 to 1 this questionable auxiliary is kept moving as occasion requires. I ventured to call Mr Gladstone's attention to the following facts, for which I am indebted to the Dean of St. Asaph, who based his calculation upon the latest statistics published m the year books cf the four Nonconformist bodies, viz., Calvinistio Methodists, Congreg^tonalists, Bap- tists, and Wesleyans, which practically comprise the whole of Welsh Nonconformity. Adherents or hearers, I should explain, are defined as "all who attend the chapel meetings, members and hearers who are not members, children and adults, although they are not all present at the same time." The editor of the Congregational statistics further states that in children he includes infants. It will therefore be seen that "adherents" include every individual man, woman or child that can possibly be reckoned as belonging to the denomination. Now the total number of adherents claimed by these four denominations is 46 per cent. of the whole population ot Wales and Monmouthshire. In the seven eastern counties which comprise two-thirds of the whole popula- tion pf Wales the proportion sinks to 38 per cent. I may add that these facts were published by the Dean last February, and no attempt has been made to question their accuracy. ATTEMPT TO CAPTURE Mil GLADSTONE. I called Mr Gladstone's attention to these facts, and he has kindly permitted me to publish his letter. 18, Park Lane, March 4,1891. My dear Lord Bishop, I have weighed as carefully as I am able the phrase in my speech on the Welsh Church which you have challenged, and I mnst own myself not prepared to re- cerle irúm it whea considered as abroad and large statement of a substantbl truth. I had already drawn a distinction between the many, and the few,' a phrase perhaps less invidious than that of the classes and the masses. Among the few, I understand the Church brely to preponderate. If I estimate the J classe at l-5th of the population) the percentage becomes (for the masses or e people', 46-80 or 55-m But there is an addition not inconsiderable to be made on account of other bodies besides the four principal, smaller individually, yet not in their aggre- gate inconsiderable. And there is a margin of the unattached, narrower I think in Wales than in some other regions, yet far from insignificant. On the first of these grounds an addition should bo made to the Nonconformist percentage, and as to the second the ame effect would be produced by making the requisite deduction from the item with which it is compared. I cannot pretend to h<1ve a minute knowledge or to speak with personal authority in the mnch contested question, nor did I make my statement as a certainty. It is an opinion only, but an opinion which appears to me on the whole not far Îrom the mark. Comparing the Established Churchmen with the NO:1conlormisLs I (1 include for the present purpose the limited number of Roman Catholics), I cannot deny the existence of a very large and heavy numerical preponderance. I will not trouble you with further details, but I beg to rem..1,in yonr Lordship's Respectfully and faithfully, W. E. GLADSTONE. In reply to this, I ventured to point out that Mr Dillwyn, M.P., computed the Roman Catholics and all the other sects, besides the four already named, at 55,767, and that adding in all these and reckoning as Mr Gladstone does for the purpose of this computation, "the Roman Catholics as Welsh Dissenters, there still remain 50 per cent. of the population unaccounted for. May I add that it did not occur to me that the people of Wales could mean anything except the whole population of Wales, or that because a man belongs to a particular class he is therefore to be expatriated nor did it ever occur to me that when a very large and heavy preponderance is phlmed for Nonconformity, such preponderance 18 demonstrated by a purely arbitrary division of LUu population. Much less did it ever occur to me that for the sin of belonging to the classes a man may not even count as a unit in the religious body to which he belongs. IS IT A CLASS CHURCH ? We are told that the Welsh Church is the church of the rich as against the church of the comparatively poor." Here again what are the facts ? A large number of the rich merchants and large employers of labour in South Wales are Nonconformists, and the strength of Welsh Non- conformity mainly lies in the shopkeeping and farming classes, where the wealth, if not accumu- lated in a few hands, is still very great. We hear—and all honour to them for it—of Noncon- formists in Wales giving not only their thousands but their tens of thousands to their different denominations, and the cheques of the rich ap- pear in the subscription lists of Nonconformists as well a3 in those of the Church. I freely admit that it is true that the majority of the educated classes in Wales belong or attach themselves to the Church. Is this a fault, if such it be, peculiar to the Church in Wales ? Does it never happen in England that progress in knowledge and culture brings home to Non- conformists with fresh light and power the claims of the historic Church. There are in this diocese 208 parishes, and at my last visitation I found that there were 90 parishes where Nonconformity provides no resident minister. Who, I ask, pro- vides for the pastoral care of the poor in these parishes ? Why, it is a fact, nay, a truism, which every parish priest in Wales will confirm, that in their hour* of trial and distress it is to the clergy- man that the poor, be they Church or Noncon- formist, turn. It is not that our Nonconformist brethren are less solicitous for the welfare of the poor, but it is the inherent weakness of the voluntary system, that care for the poor is apt to be crowded out by other inevitable and exigent claims. THE NONCONFOKMIST GRIEVANCE. I have now dealt with what Mr Gladstone described as the two vital and determining points in the case agaiast the Church in Wales. There is a third contention. The Established Church in Wales is "an advancing Church, an active Church, a living Church," but although the Church is active and progressive, the Non- conformists are not contented." Obviously the materials for this argument are not supplied by any sbort-comings of the Church. Now 1 ask, does this sense of grievance against the Church exist among the Nonconformists ? If personal testimony is of any value, I can only speak of the kindliest relations with the many Noncon- formists I know in Wales and have livedamongst. There are two classes of Nonconformists in Wales those "for whom politico come first and Christianity afterwards," who have set their hands to the perilous experiment of transforming spiritual energy into political energy. But there is a great body of Nonconformists who, Nonconformists by conviction, prefer to worship God in their own way, men of deep and strong religious principles. With such men we yearn to share the special blessings we possess, and so far as we travel together the same path, we bid them God speed. Their attitude to the Church is not one of hostility or bitterness, and, although their kindly spirit towards tho Church may not be strong enough to impel them to be its public defenders, it is still strong enough to make them anxious that the Church should not be weakened or injured. This live and let-live spirit, although not fertile in heroics, or prominent at federa- tions. represents I trust the spirit of the majority of Welsh Nonconformists, But we are told the character of the present Welsh representation in Parliament proves that the Nonconformists are discontented and aggrieved. Experience ques- tions that statement. In the present Parliament the predominance of members in favour of Welsh disestablishment is as 9 to 1. This is taken as proof of the grievance. You remember Mr Osborne Morgans Burial Act. What an outcry had been raised about the bitter grievance acutely felt by the Welsh Noncon- formists. What happened ? In the Parliament elected in 1880, Waioa returned supporters of Mr Gladstone in the proportion not of 9 to 1, but of 14 to 1, profoundly convinced of the existence of this terrible grievance. Indeed, so strong was the conviction of the existence of this grievance that Mr Morgan's Aot was passed in the first weeks of that Parliament of 1880. Now, if that grievance rested upon a basis of fact, the Noncon- formists would have been eager to avail them- selves—it is idle to say that anyone could prevent them—of an Act of Parliament which removed their grievance. But what are the facts ? Why, Mr Osborne's Act is practically a dead-letter, and the grievance which looked so real and was so strongly represented turns out to have been imaginary. FUTURE OF THE CHURCH. And now leaving the stilling atmosphere of con- troversy, may I add one or two words as to the Church in Wales ? Among the many forces at work in our modern life none seems more powerful or constant than that strong current setting in against all undeserved privileges, a current swelled by the sympathy of every true Church- man. An age of value received keeps a sharp eye on the balance between rights and duties. We ooly ask that the Church in Wales should be fairly weighed in that balance. Is the Church trying faithfully and honestly to realise her responsibility and duty to tha people commited to her care ? In the field of education the Church in Wales stood for a long time single-handed in her defence and maintenance of religious education. Of the 57 school boards m England and Wale3 which have dispensed entirely with religious teaching 50 are in Wales. The religious teaching given in the other board schools is meagre and in many cases intermittent, but for this minimum Wale3 is mainly indebted to the influence and example of the Church. I rejoice to think that in this as in many other matters connected with religion there are signs that tur Nonconformist brethren who first opposed the policy of the Church, begin now to recognise that policy to have been just and right. What the Church has done in the past for religious instruction in elementary schools is all earnest that she will be not less zealous in securingreligious instruction in the in- termediate schools now about to be established in Wales. If we are in this country to save the moral type and standard from serious deterioration, the virtues of honesty, truthfulness and purity must be taught not in tones faltering with the fear of consequences, but with the power and authority of perfect freedom and independence. To Welsh- men, proud of their national sentiment, it is well to point out that unity is thebest security for the preservation of that sentiment. A national entity without unity is inconceivable. The in- fluences which tend to unity in Wales are not too strong. The existence of two lan- guages involves a certain aloofness and isolation between those who only speak one. English is spreading rapidly and in the border counties is the prevailing speech. In this diocese there are 52 parishes where Welsh is not spoken, and out of the remain- ing 156 there are very manY-Gspecially in the larger centres of population—where Welsh is spoken by a minority. In Wales there is also what I may call a geographical isolation. North and South Wales are not mutually accessible. We here to-day are nearer in point of time to London than we are to Cardiff, Swansea, or Aberystwyth, and a journey from St Asaph to St David's would be as long in time as a journey to Paris. Thus the Principality does not lend itself either to a linguistic or a geographioal unity. RELIGIOUS UNITY OF WALES. Before I pass on, let me point out that the Church alone makes spiritual provision wherever necessary for both the Welsh and the English parishioners, and its provision for both unites both. I believe the unity which Wales most needs is religious unity, and that the one religious body in Wales which strives and has striven to teach and preserve this unity will in the future, for the whole country, and for every part and division of it, be the home and centre of unity. In small communities there is a special danger of the meaner sides of human nature coming into play, and of men shutting them- selves up in grudges, with the result that even their" animosities do not rise to the dignity of passions, but evince themselves in spite." The Dean of Llandaff has recently been constrained to say, "The politics against which I protest, as eating the heart out of Wales, are the politics of clique and party, the politics of spite and suspi- cion, the politics of revenge and rancour, the politics which adore and scout names, the politics which care nothing for truth, and tho politics which set themselves above religion." It is only too true that such a spirit is invading and cor- roding the public life of our small community. The fomenters and conductors of the petty war of village vexation" live and move in this spirit, while soma of the best energies of the people are being drained off and exhausted in the pursuit of a multitude of paltry aims. If this mean and sordid spirit is to be thrust out of our public life, it must be by the quiet and stedfast influence of a true ideal and a higher moral tone, which shall replace meanness with magna- nimity and suspicion with mutual con- fidence. For this ideal and influence we must look to the Church. Her history, leading back in an unbroken lino to apostolic times, lifts us above the schisms of yesterday, and the contro- versies of to-day, which add so much to the bitterness and to the impotence of human life. Our reverence is evoked by her witness to the faith given in unchanging creed and sacrament, and given in Gods word to the people in their own language. Her ministry, in the strength of a true apostolic commission, gives; I trust and believe, proof of its sincerity by patience under trial, and devotion to duty, and is striving to realise the conception of a pastorate which has at heart the secular welfare of its ehargo, only less than the spiritual, and breathes principle into every temporal affair." It is for her to call forth and to harmonise all the best elements in the character and life of Wales, and to make them fruitful in promoting the true pro- gress of the Welsh people, giving that progress not only the strengtli of the union -among- our- selves, but of a closer union with the thought and life of the great English nation to whom it is our glory to belong. The Archbishop of CANTERBURY said the Con- gress was there with no political or polemical aim, hut:J. challenge had been given to them, and this challenge could not be left unanswered with- out injustice. He dealt specially with the assertion that the Establishment in Wales is an alien church. There was not, he declared, a shadow of truth in this statement. It would be truer and more historical to speak of the Church of Wales in England than of the Church of Eng- land in Wales. (Cheers.) The Church of England and Wales was one 150 years before the State was one. He quoted statistics of church progress in the Principality, and declared that by the benediction of God, Churchmen in England would not quietly sea the Church in Wales disinherited. (Loud cheers). "The Church Revival in Wales," Canon BEVAN, of Hay, read a paper of Church Revival in Wales." This revival, he said, had been proceeding slowly, but steadily, for years. For the last 70 years the building of new churches and the restoration of old ones from decay had been going on, while more thoughtful considera- tion had been shown for the poor within their walls, and mission rooms had been established. The number of the clergy had been increased, and the services been multiplied. (Cheers.) He referred to the great value of St David's College, Lampeter, and to the operation of the arch- deaconate, which at the beginning of the present century had been a dead letter in Wales. He concluded by defending the We!sh clergy from charges of proselytism and coercion. (Cheers.) The Dean of St ASAPH (the Very Rev John Owen) followed on the same subject. He said :— The portion of the subject of this meeting assigned me is the future prospects of Church Revival in Wales. Now, the Church in Wales— though it has beon interlaced for 19 centuries, with every fibre of Welsh character, is no local isolated society, but beyond all doubt an integral part of the one Catholic Church of the Creeds, judged by every Scriptural test by which a part of the Church can be known. The past history of the Church in Wales is like her history in other lands, a chequered history. It illustrates, not only the frailty of man, but also the marvellous recuperative energy embodied in a Divine institu- tion. From the first century to the twelfth, amidst the terrible confusion of foreign invasions and tribal strife in Wales, the Church stands out conspicuous, tha one rallying point of every Welshman, the mainspring of Welsh patriotism, the force which formed our nation. Because there were, at the outside, some five centuries of depression, are we, on that account, to forget and blot out of Welsh history 14 cen- turies of vigorous national Church life ? Those who assert that the Welsh Church has been a failure must have indeed looked at Welsh history through a thick mist of prejudice. The study of history is more than a play of sentiment. It in- terprets the present and it indicates the future. Had it been possible for a Church Congress to have visited Rhyl 50 years ago a Welshman might have stood up to argue, from Scripture and history, the truth of the Welsh proverb, "a/u a fydd" (like past like future). History repeats itself. He might have maintained with Daniel Rowlands, the Cardiganshire clergyman, un- conscious founder of Welsh Methodism, when he bade his son clikg to the Church, that a great re- formation was at haud in the Church in Wales as in the old Tudor days. But to-day we are not called upon to prophesy of a Church Revival in Wales. It is a matter of fact as well as of faith. We can point back to the past 50 years as gradually proving the shrewd insight of the dying Methodist father into the lesson of the Bible and of Providence that man's errors and sins can never defeat the gracious purpose and covenant of God for the Church. The growth of the revival has been clearly traced for you by Canon Bevan, than whom, if I may venture to say go in his presence, there is no better informed or more judicious authority in Wales. NONCONFORMISTS AND THE CHURCH. No candid and charitable Christian, who has realised the facts of the Church revival in Wales would care to deny the growth among Welsh Churchmen of at least a serious and sincere desire to build up all round the spiritual life of the Church. When the Church is in earnest diffi- ties then commence to assert themselves. The path of true Church progress on earth always must be rough. Then welcome each rebuff That turns earth's smoothness rough Each sting that bids not sit nor stand, but go I No strange thing is happening to us in Wale3. It is an instance of a law that pervades all Church history. The present agitation for Welsh Dises- tablishment is, I admit, a serious difficulty in the way of Church revival, and overshadows, just at present, our ordinary difficulties. I do not pro- pose to say a syllable on the political aspect of Disestablishment, That is not my business here to-day. But the religious side of the question directly traverses my subject, and need not be shirked. We are glad to be often assured by its promoters that they are actuated by love, and not at all by hate towards the Church. They strive to set her free by force, and generously wish to make her poor in order that she may be pure. We are bsund to do our very best to accept their motives at their own valuation, however hard it may be for us sometimes to understand the reasonableness of their method. But common sense requires them in return also to make an effort to understand that dear as the spiritual interests of the Church may be to them, they are dearer still to the hearts of Churchmen. We question not their liberty of conscience. We only claim the same liberty for ourselves. WHY THE CHURCH OPPOSES DISESTABLISHMENT. It is because we think that Welsh Disestablish- ment would cripl-l for a time, instead of pro- moting the spiritual work of the Church, that we oppose it, and not in ordor to plume ourselves on pride of place. We believe that the Church has a duty to her offspring, the State the duty of maintaining formal national recognition of Christianity, so long, and so long only, as that can be done without injustice to the Church, or to anybody else. We desire that the British democracy should pause to make proof of the value of its religious inheritance, instead of frittering it away in the hurry of its youth. We hold that there is far too little instead of too much wealth given in this country towards religion, and that in order to foster voluntary offerings in the future it is wise to safeguard the voluntary offering of the past. The religious principles on which we take our stand are not peculiar to tho Church in Wales. They appeal with the same force to you English Churchmen. It has been thought desirable to attack the position of the Church ia detail to test the cohesion of Churchmen by a concentrated rush on the Welsh regiment. The Church of England is not blind. The present agitation aims not only at Disestablishment, but even more, at severing the long historic union between the Church in Wales and the Church in England, at severing not only the Church from the State, but dioceso from diocese within the Church. In the spiritual interests of the Church we oppose this severance, even more strenuously than we oppose Disestablishment. We wish the Church in Wales, by the free currents of your broad sympathies, your large experience, your practical energy, your varied intellectual and spiritual life, now to gain as once for a time she lost through her complete oneness with the Church in England. THE INTELLECTUAL AWAKENING IN WALES. The leaders ef Welsh Nonconformists fully agree with Churchmen that Wales has now entered upon a protound intellectual and re- ligious revolution on account of the vast and sudden increase of all kinds of educational oppor- tunities now going on, and the recent rapid and resistless advance of English speech, literature, and modes of thought. It is hard for Englishmen accustomed to more phlegmatic growth of thought, to realize the bewildering impression that is being made on an impulsive people like the Welsh, fond of reading and with a distinct turn for metaphysics by a sudden influx of new ideas after centuries of comparative seclusion—like the calm lakes under the shadow of our Welsh mountains sheltered by the Welsh language, from the winds of doctrine which swept over England. The most markod feature of Welsh religion in the past used to be a glowing fervour of Christian experience, with a practical outcome in morality, but with tha emotional side distinctly prominent. This fervour of our fathers—whoso loss a Welshman cannot mention without a passing sigh of regret-Is generally acknowledged to tie (broadly speaking) now a thing of the past among persons undu- middle age in Wales, and its place yet remains to be filled by a more intel- lectual and more complex-let us only hope it may be as true form of the old—but ever new, spiritual life. WALES' NEED OF THE CHURCH. In order as the the old order ohangeth, and giveth place to new," in Wales, not only good— for of that no Christian can have a doubt—but all possible good may come to Wales—and oven Welsh Nonconformists, if I may say so with sincere re- spect for their many good qualities—needs for the future, as much as ever m tho past, the unim- paired service of the Welsh Church. As Church- men and aa Welshmen we cultivate no exclusive spirit, we conceive that the Church has a mission not only to a section but to the whole Welsh people, and that her mission ia so momentous as to require every just equipment she can have. In the face of a crisis so peculiarly srrave—and here exaggeration were folly—I ask all religious men in Wales and out of it, whether curs is the age and Wales the country to single out of all other for the experiment—possibly instructive in its way—of the la issez fuirc theories of an antiquated school of political philosophers. Though Wales be poor and little, her religious life to her at least is too vital for just men to treat her as a corpus vile. I have thought it my duty, as a Welsh Churchman, to point to you with as much deliberation as I can command tho bearing of separate Disestablishment upon Churoh Revival in Wales, in the present state of the country. Do not mistake my attitude. I am convinced that the Church, and therefore the religious life, of Wales for a considerable time would be crippled if the proposals now mooted were carried. But there is a radical difference between seeing dangers and rushing at sight of thorn into panic. It is possible for a Christian to face facts and yet not lose courage. There is no reckless des- pair in our struggle because we strive not in human strength and are given to discern the limits of danger. I cannot yet believe, as long as Churchmen are true to the Church, that this blow to religion in Wales will be dealt. But that is a mere matter of individual opinion. It is not, how- ever, a matter of opinion that if the worst, as we see it. come to the worst, and the outward resources of tho Church be cut off, though more than one Welsh generation must suffer grievous loss, the recuperative energy embodied in a Divine institution will once more, as often of old, gradually in process of time, display itself. The poet says— God's in the heaven, All's right with the world, and therefore certainly all's right with the Church let Parliament do as it please,—for heaven is not far but near, even within the Church. For did He not say to the Church in Wales when he said to His apostles as He went on high—" Lo, I am with you alway, even to the end of the world." Sir ROBERT CUNLIFKB submitted statistics which he thought showed that the Establishment in Wales was neither an apathetic nor a moribund Church. The Rev DAVID WILLIAMS, rector of Llan- Church. The Rev DAVID WILLIAMS, rector of Llan- dudno, followed with a vigorous assault on what he called tha enemies of the Church in Wales. The Church was, he declared, seating herself on the throne of the national affections. The Bishop of CHESTER said they were com- pelled to draw the sword of self-defence and they would not lay it down until the Liberationists laid down the bludgeon and the stiletto. (Cheers.) He believed Nonconformity to bo merely a paren- thesis in the history of religion in Wales. (Hear, hear.) The Bishop of SALISBURY urged the Congress not to ally itself too closely with any political party, and not to deal too much in stinging epithets against their mistaken Nonconformist brethren. (Hear, hear.) After the President's address had been heard, the Bishops of Ripon, Wakefield, and Llandaff, with some other dignitaries, proceedod to the Pavilion at the shore end of the pier, where they held a sort of overflow meeting. The papers and speeches here were on the same topic and in the same tone as at the Congress Hall. Wednesday's Proceed.ings RHYL, Wednesday Night. To-day the Congress has been grappling with the difficulties arising from indifference and ignorance amongst the poor in our towns, and from destructive criticism on the part of the scientific investigators of our time. The fore- noon was devoted to the Church s work in the poorest quarters of our cities, the afternoon to the prevalent criticism of Holy Scripture, and the evening to foreign missions.. There were a great many papers read, and the interest excited by them was evident from the avidity of members to make personal observations thereon. So great indeed is the disproportion between the available time and the number of speakers, that a very rigid rule as to the duration of speeches is applied. The tinkle of the Presi- dent's bell admits of no appeal, and the result is that many of the speakers, anxious to forestall this inexorable closure, read their papers at a pace so rapid as to be a great strain upon the audience, who try to follow them with intelligence*

DEATH OF THE REV CHARLES H. JENNER. On Tuesday a telegram was received at Wenvoe Rectory announcing the death of the Rev Charles Herbert Jenner, who passed away early that morning at the age of 72 years. He died at his eldest son's house, at Wallington, near London, where he had been residing since he resigned the Wenvoe living, under the Bene- fices Resignation Act, a few years back, when he was succeeded by his youngest son, the Rev George Herbert Jenner, the present rector. The deceased was the second son of the late famous Right Hon. Lee Herbert Jenner-Fust, Judge of the Prerogative Court, Dean of Arches, and Master of Trinity Hal L Cambridge, and brother of the late Mrs Jenner, of Vvenvoo Castle. In former years he held Wenvoe and Mertbyr. Dovan livl together, as locum lenens for the Rev Alfred Herbert Jenner, and in those days he was recognised as a Puseyite," but his discretion and good judgment prevailed, as a rule, and lie did not offensively obtrude his views. On the death of the late Rev Alfred Herbert Jenner aforesaid, on May 8, 1868, he was again appointed Rector of Wenvoe. Like his illustrious father, probably no man enjoyed a wider circle of true and genuine friends, and he will be universally regretted. His wife died at Wenvoe Rectory a few years back, and was buried, at her special request, at St. Fagan's, whilst several children are buried at Wenvoe and elsewhere in England. Three sons survive the decease, viz., Mr Henry Jenner, in her Majesty's Court of Probate, Somerset House Mr Edwin Jenner, in the Bank of England and the Rev George Herbert Jenner, Rector of Wenvoe. The funeral will take place at Wenvoe on Saturday at three p.m.

BIRMINGHAM MUSICAL FESTIVAL. The Birmingham Musical Festival opened on Tuesday morning, the Town-hall being crowded, despite the wretched weather. The Duke and. Duchess of Teck, the Princess Victoria of Teck, and the Duke and Duchess of Westminster were amongst the audience. The performance of Elijah was a complete success so far as the chorus was concerned, but the principal vocalists left something to be desired. Mr Santley, notwith- standing his declamatory skill, could not hide the ravages which time has made n his voice, and Miss MacinWre, who at a few notice under- took the whole soprano music, wanted more pre- paration. Mr Edward Lloyc sang the tenor portion, and the contralto music was divided between Miss Hilda Wilson anq Madame Hope Glenifc

THE ABERGWYNFI DISASTER. 1 Interment of the Viotims. The burial of those of the men who were killed at the Glyncorrwg Colliery, Abergwvnfi, on Wednesday, took place at the Maesteg Cemetery on Saturday afternoon. Although the men had not been long located in the place, their sad and sudden death was sufficient to awake a, feeling of profound sympathy in the hearts of the neigh- bours. Thus at the appointed time for removing throe of the bodies for burial there was a large assemblage of men and women in the vicinity of the houses where the dead lay. The bodies in- terred on Sunday were those of Richard Skinner, William Evans, and William Thomas. As the ages hava not been correctly given of these unfortunate men in pre- vious reports, it may be stated that William Evans, known as "Bangor," was 51 years of ago, He had a wife and five children, but had lyjon living apart from his children for a long time. Richard Skinner, a singlo man, was 29 years of age; and Wm. Thomas, 35 years of age, whose wife and two children live at Merthyr. Before the bodies were removed to the railway station at Abergwynfi, prayers were offered up at the respective houses. Thomas and Evans were attendants at the Welsh Baptist Chapel at Aber- gwynfi, and the Rev Wm. Jones, the pastor, officiated at the short service at their homes. The Rev Isaac Lloyd (English Baptist, Maesteg) con- ducted the solemn ministrations at the lodgings of Richard Skinner. A procession was then formed, and the bodies were conveyed to the railway station and thence to Maesteg by a special train, which called at Cyminerand Ty with to pick up those who desired to join in the sad rite. There was a plate on each coffin bearing the date of death and age of deceased, and on each wreaths sent by relatives or friends were placed. The cost of the funerals of the men will be defrayed by the colliery company and the entire arrange- ments (very satisfactorily carried out) were under tho personal superintendence of Mr G. J. William3, one of the official staff. Arriving at Maesteg, an impressive procession was formed, which slowly wound up the hill to the cemetery. Here an unfortunate delay oc- curred, owing to the graves not having been made sufficiently large. The service was at length pro- ceeded with, and prayers were offered up by the rev. gentlemen already named. Tho Rev I. Lloyd remarked on the suddenness of the death of these unfortunate men, which should be a lesson and supply a watchwor(t to all. Happily, added the rev. gentleman, in tho"large district in which thay lived accidonts in colliery works were infrequent. Tho Rev W. Jones also briefly referred to the sad incident, and at tho conclusion of his remarks the rev. gontloman gave out the old Welsh hymn, Yn y dyfroedd mawr a'r tonau." The relatives follow- ing the body ot Wm. Thomas, were his wife, his father (who had travelled from North Wales), and his brother. The father of Richard Skinner was present at his interment; but no relative followed William Evans to his last earthly resting-place. The bodies of James O'Conner »nd Wm. Car- penter were conveyed by the Rhoftdda and Swan- sea Bay Railway on Friday the last-named was taken on per Great Western Railway to Landore, and his remains will be interred at Dinas Chapel burying ground on Monday. The funeral of O'Connor is fixed for to-day (Monday), at the Roman Catholic burying ground. It may be added that this young man. was about to be mar- ried, and the banns were published at Aberavcn on Sunday, the 27th nit. The body of Daniel Thomas was despatched from Abergwinfi to Gorseinon on Saturday morning. He is to be buried at Carmel Chapel, Pontrhiew. Before the removal of the body from Abergwynfi a short service was conducted by the Rev Wm. Jones, and a concourse of people fol- lowed the coffin to the railway station. William Thomas will be buried at Resolven, and his body will be forwarded there on Monday and H. Jenldns will be interred at the Chapel of Easo, Taibaoh, on that day. On Monday morning tho body of Thomas Thomas, aged 26, who leaves a widow and one child, was despatched by the 9.45 a.m. train from Blaengwynfl for conveyance to Neath. The interment took place at Llantwit Cemetery. Pre- viously a short service had been conducted at the house where Thomas lived by the Rev John Williams, pastor of Tabor, Abergwynfi. By the 2.51 p.m. train (Rhondda and Swansea Bay Rail. way) the remains of Humphrey Jenkins were sent to Aberavon, and from there to Taibach, de- ceased being interred in the burial ground of tho Chapel of Ease. Before the departure of tho coffin from Abergwynfi, a short service was conducted at the house by the Rev John Williams. The arrangements were in the hands of Mr Griffith J. Williams, one of the colliery officials, and were satisfactorily carried out by him. A large number of persons followed the coffins, which were covered with flowers, to the railway station. As the solemn processions moved through tho streets several favourite Welsh hymns were sung. A Relief Fund. The chairman of the Glyncorrwg Colliery Com- pany (Mr Morton, of London) has written to Mr W. M. Thomas, the manager, expressing his regret at the accident and his sympathy with the widows and orphans, and asking that everything possible should be done for their relief. A com- mittee is being formed to arrange a series of concerts and entertainments throughout the Rhondda Valley in aid of a relief fund for the widows and orphans of the deceased. Many offers of help have already been received from musicians and others. The Inquest. The inquest was opened on Friday, before Mr H. Cuthbertson, district coroner, at the Blaengwynfl Hotel. Mr Daniel Evans was fore- man of the jury. Mr J. T. Robson, H.M. In- spector of Mines, was present, together with Mr W. M. Thomas (manager), Supt. Thomas, of Bridgend, and Inspector Cole, Aberavon. The first witness called was Griffith John Wil- liams, clerk at the colliery, who said he lived at Abergwynfi. He knew William Thomas, sinker, who was about 35 years of age Thomas Thomas, sinker, who was 28 years of age Humphrey Jenkins, who was about the same age; William Carpenter, sinker, who was 45 years of age; James O'Connor, sinker, who was, as far as he knew, 35 years of age William Evans, who was 51 years of age Daniel Thomas, who was about 32 years of age and Richard Skinner, sinker, who was 28 years of age. All these men were working in the Glyncorrwg Colliery, Blaen- wynfi, belonging to the Glyncorrwg Collieiy Co., Limited. Neither of the deceased men was leader of the shift. Raymond Travis, said he lived at Blaengwynfl, and was a foreman over the boring in No. 1. Pit. He went down the pit at 6.30 on Wednesday night to relieve his mate, James Dixon. Previous to that Dixon had come up with the eight men who weie below. They were up half an hour, and then he and the eight men went down in the bowk six went first, and he and two others after- wards. Dixon did not go down again. The men worked eight hour shifts, with 16 hours off. He and the other chargeman worked 12 hours on and 12 hours off. The eight men had gone down at 2 o'clock, and their time would be up at 10 o'o'ock. At quarter past nine he came up to fetch a borinc rod from the blacksmith's shop. Another shift went down at six minutes to 10, and the eight men who were down came up at 10 o'clock. When they came up he was olose by the pit top, and saw the bowk ascend. There were two in the bowk and six on the edge of her. The bowk came through the mouth of tho pit at its usual speed. He saw that it was going higher than it ought to do, and he shouted at the top of his voice, Hold." The bowk seemed to make a sudden stop about four feet above the usual place of its stopping. All in a moment he heard a big rush of steam towards the engine-house, and thl) bowk seemed to go up quicker. He and the banksman pushed the runner across the top of the pit as quick as possible, and as soon as they had done so a man fell down on the centre of the runner. This man was Richard Skinner, and he would have gone down the pit if they hadn't put the runner across. Directly after Wm. Evans (Bangor) fellabout twoyardsfrom the top of the pit. He heard a crash caused by the bowk falling from the pulley down between the engine-house and the head gearing, a distance of about 40 feet. Six men went clean over the wheel, and fell about 40 or 50 feet. Skinner wife not killed on the spot, neither was Evans; the latter spoke. After seeing the runner safely over the pit he ran to the engine-house, and on his way he met an engine-driver named John Jones, who was going on duty, and was running away. He asked Jones, "Whatever in the world have you been doing?" and he said, "Dai Davies has hold of the levers, and he daren't stir till I shut off the steam at the valves." Witness went to the engine- house, and saw David Davies holding the levers. He told Davies to keep her there until he got some assistance." Witness then went to look after the bowk and the men. Four men were close to the bowk and two of them were under it. Thomas Thomas was alive, but he only lived about two minutes. Daniel Thomas was alive, and lived for about an hour afterwards. James O'Connor was alive; witness did not know how long he lived. Carpenter, Humphrey Jenkins, and William Thomas were dead. Witness had been working in the pit a month. It was usual to stop the bowk about a foot above the cross-bar, and the engine was then reversed to bring the bowk down on to the runner. The bowk did not strike the end of the engine-house. He could not form an opinion as to the cause of the accident. He had not seen anything wrong before with the bowk. Witness was talking to David Davies, the engineman, about six o'clock on Wednesday evening at the engine-house. He went to work at two o'clock. Hehadnotbeendrinking. Witnesshad never complained to anyone about the engine being out of order none of the men had com- plained to him. He had not beard of complaints being made at all. In an hour and 20 minutes after the accident witness got another bowk, and went down the pit and fetched up the eight men who were thero. John Jones was working the engine then. The bowk went all right in the usual way. In answer to Mr Robinson, witness explained the position in which he stood at the time of the accident. He was standing on the side farthest from the engine-house, by the side of the runner. The banksman was standing' at the opposite corner, and he had his hand on the runner. When the bowk came up there was usually a. pause of about half a minute before it was lowered on to the runner. There were three big torchlights or comets burn- ing, and they gave plenty of light. A man could be seen and known ten yards away. When he went into the engine-house he did not see anyone beside Davies there. By Mr W. M, Thomas: The rush of steam lasted until they put the expansion joint right. He was certain the rush of steam commenced before the bowk went out of his sight. By Mr Robson Six men usually went up and down in the bowk. The signals were properly made on this night. By the Coroner: It was a dark nighb, but not bad weather. There was plenty of light. Owen Hughadjj at the colliery, said he lived at Biengwynfi. He had been acting as banksman for a fortnight. He was there on Wednesday night when the bowk came up with the men. He saw the bowk coming up, and it went four feet above the usual place. When he saw it was going above the mark he did his best to get the runner over the pit, as ha thought something was wrong. He was standing close by the runner, and Travis was standing at the opposite side. He saw the bowk go up and tho men fall down close by him. He had no know- ledge as to how the accident occurred. He was talking to David Davies about three minutes to 10 that night. He gave the signal to the engineman to lift the bowk, saying, Go on, coming up," in Welsh, after he had received the signal from below. The signalman could hear the signal very well. He (witness) had never com- plained that theengine was not right. He had not heard anyone complain. He heard the two enginemen complain that there was something the matter with the engine. He heard nothing before the accident; it was afterwards. They said there was something wrong with the valves. By Mr Robson: When the bowk came up there was just a check and then it went up over the wheel. Mr C. W. Hemming, surgeon, said he got to the pit about a quarter or 20 minutes past 10. In the engine-house were three men alive. Daniel Thomas, William Evans, and Richard Skinner Evans died within a few minutes. Daniel Thomas lived three-quarters of an hour, and Skinner a little over two hours. The doctor detailed the injuries, showing that the deceased men had either received severe head injuries or had had their ribs and limbs broken. Most of them fell on their heads. Charles Walker said he was overman, and had charge of the place when Mr Thomas was away. He was not there at the time of the accident. He lived near the colliery, and was called up about a quarter past ten o'clock on Wednesday night. He went into the engine-house, where the injured men had been carried. Davies, the engineman, and Jones, who had come to" boss" hIm, were there. He asked Davies how he accounteds for it, and he replied, I don't know." When he saw that all had been done to the injured men that could be done, he turned his attention to the engine, a.nd saw both the enginemen at the revers- ing gear. He saw nothing wrong with the engine; the valves and everything were right. He asked Jones how the accident occurred. He said he had just come into the engine- house and was hanging up his coat. He pointed to the place where he was hanging up his coat, which was about three yards from the reversing gear. He said that Davies, the engineman, had asked him to come and help him to reverse the engine as he could not move the handle. Ho helped him to move the handle. He (witness) examined the valves and found nothing wrong with them. Later on Davies said he thought some water had got into the valve and through the engine, which prevented him working the handle. Nothing of the kind had occurred before to his knowledge. He had worked the engine himself after the accident, and it ran all right. Davies had mentioned before that the stop valve leaked a little. He had tested it for leaking, but found nothing of account. If water had anything to do with it it would be after the engines had stood for a time, when condensation would occur in the engine. He had formed an opinion as to how it happened. He thought that when Jones had entered the room to relieve Davies very likely they would be talking. Accidents had occurred at different places in changing time. He thought Davies found that he had gone too far and reversed the engine suddenly. He would very likely then suddenly put it the other way to prevent the bowk banging on the stage, which would carry the bowk over the wheel. A man would "lose his head under such circumstances. He might say that Jones smelt strongly of drink, too. He believed Davies had not had anything. He noticed particularly, and went close to them for that purpose. Jones WitS not drunk, he answered his questions rationally. He went down with Davies to the boilers, and found the water in the boilers all right at the proper height, and the steam at 98 lb. pressure. Davies and himself were satisfied that they were all right. The ordinary working pressure was 100 lb. He had erected both high pressure and condensing engines, and thoroughly understood them. The engines are examined and reported as required by the Act, and similar to a going colliery. There were two joints burst in the pipes. But notwithstanding that they drew the eight men out of the pit in an hour and a half after. He believed the sudden reversing of the engine had caused the joints to give way.—In answer to Mr Robson, he said the throttle valve was nearly opened wide, and though there might be 1001b pressure on the boiler, there would never be more than 401 bs or 501bs on the cylinders of the engine. The inquest at this stage was adjourned till 10 o'clock on Monday. The adjourned inquest into the circumstances attending the death of eight men who were killed at the Glyncorrwg Colliery, Abergwynfi, on Wednesday night last, was opened at t.he Blaen- gwynfi Hotel on Monday morning by Mr H. Cuthbertson, coroner. David Davies, the engineman, was called, and the coroner cautioned him as to answering any question which might incriminate him. The witness gave his evidence in Welsh as follows:— He lived at Blaengwynfi, and was an engine driver at the new pits. He was on duty on Wed- nesday night, and was raising the bowk about ten o'clock. The shift was coming up at that time. He receIved a signal to wind np. At that time John R. Jones was in the engine house, having come for the purpose of relieving him. Jones came in about five minutes to ten. It was about three minutes to ten o'clock when the signal was given to raise the shift. He asked Jones about his health, and he replied that he was better than he was the previous night. He (Davies) had not commenced to raise the shift when he was talking. It was after he had finished talking to Jones that he had the signal to raise the shift. It only took a, couple of seconds to raise the bowk. The depth of the shaft was from 70 to 80 yards. He first noticed something wrong when the bell of the indicator rang. He tried to shut the steam off. He did not succeed in doing it. Something in the throttle valve prevented him shutting it off. He called John Jones {o help him to reverse the engine. He put the brake down himself. They did not succeed in carrying the reversing levers to the place they wished. The bowk was going up all the time. They succeeded in checking the bowk when they were trying to reverse the lever to the centre, but failed to stop it. There was sufficient light in the engine-room. It did not take long for the bowk to go over. He sent John Jones outside to shut off the steam at the stop valve. The stop valve was about 117ft. from the engine-house. Everything had stopped then, and the bowk had gone over the wheel. The engine was going after the bowk went over, but it stopped when the bowk fell to the ground. He went on duty at two o'clock the same afternoon. He had raised and lowered the bowk about a dozen times during his shift. He found noth- ing wrong with the engine during the after- noon. He saw Mr Walker that night, and that gentleman asked him how the accident occurred. Ho replied that there was something wrong with the throttle valve, because it would not shut. He asked Mr Walker to go down with him to see the boilers, and they went together. He did not tell Mr Walker that he thought water had got into the valve. He did not work the engine after the accident. He saw the engine worked the same night by John R. Jones. Jones worked it yery slow, because he was afraid. Jonas brought up the shift which re- mained down. When the accident occurred the expansion and four or five of the other joints blew out. The bursting of the joints was caused by his endeavouring to centre the lover. He had had trouble with the throttle valvo before, when he found a piece of indiarubber, about five inches long, in the valve. That occurred about seven months ago. On that occasion he drew the contractor, William Jenkins, half-way up to the sheave, or wheel, at the head of the stocks. By Mr Robson: It took about eight revolutions to bring up the bowk. He got the right signal for men coming up. He lowered the night shift, and only waited while the men got out and in again before he received the signal to raise them. He steadied the bowk about two feet above the stage on which the men were working and then brought it up by a signal from the banksman, who called to him. He brought it up at the usual rate of speed. The indicator rang two turns before the bowk reached the top. He had not checked the engine before the bell rang. Till the bell rang he had the lever full on and he did not apply the brake. He could move the handle of the throttle valve but could not olose it. He also failed to put the reversing lever in its place because the full pres- sure of steam was on the slides. He had marks on the drum to guide him as well as the indicator. He did not stop the bowk, it only jerked. By Mr Rhys He had been an engineman 22 years. He had heard that the sinkers were going to sign a statement that they had confidence in him to work under him again. Mr Rhys here handed in a signed declaration of the sinkers of No. 1 Pit. By Mr Rhvs: About a fortnight ago he had trouble with the throttlo valve, when ho could not close it. It was the same valve that would not close seven months before. He made a complaint about it to Mr Walker, but nothing was done to the valve. He produced some packing which was on the expansion valve at the time of the accident. The packing was taken by John Jones from the joint. If any of the packing got into the engine it would prevent it working properly. He never shut off steam till he got a signal from the indicator. The lever was always stiff to work when the steam was on. The engine worked well generally, but sometimes it went off by fits and starts. By a Juror: He found the engine wrong on the Sunday night, and told Mr Walker about it on the following morning. Mr Walker only asked him how it was then, but nothing was done to it, and Mr Walker also asked him to try and manage to the end of the week as he wanted to get on with the bore holes. Since the piece of india-rubber as found in the valve a. screen was put in the steam pipe to prevent any- thing passing into it but steam. By the Coroner When the accident occurred on Wednesday night be heard someone call Hold." He had shut off the steam before he heard the call. By Mr Thomas He did not report to Mr Thomas a fortnight ago that there was anything wrong with the valve. John Rees Jones was next called, He said he was an engine-driver at the new pits, where lie had worked since the start. He went to the engine house about five minutes to ten. When ho went in David Davies was at the levers. He put a bottle of beer on the window-ledge behind Davies and sat down. Davies went to the win- dow and holloaed out for" riders" to go down for the next shift. He afterwards lowered the shift and raised another. While he (witness) was hanging up his coat Davies called "Jack, Jack, come here and give me help; I can't shove her over myself." He went to him, and caught hold of the throttle valve with his left hand. and put his right shoulder to the reversing lever to push it over. He could not close the throttle valve or centre the reversing lever. The steam joints burst at the time he was trying to reverse the engine. The bowk came over the wheel before the engine stopped. He told Davies to stick to the levers till he had closed the valve on the mam steam-pipe line. He closed the valve. He did not know that Davies' attention was attracted by anything while the engine was in motion. He did not speak to him while ho was drawing out the men. He believed some obstruct- ing material had got into the valve, which pre- vented him closing it. He did not hear anyone call Hold He complained a fortnight ago on Sunday to Mr Walker about the valve. He told Mr Walker that he had an obstruction under the valve, and that he lifted the men up and could not put baok on the trolley. He had succeeded at that time in getting the lever to the centre." Mr Walker said he was not to stop working the engine if possible, as lie wanted to get the boring done. He promised that the valve should be overhauled after the boring was finished. He lyid not com- plained before that time. The packing produced he picked up on Thursday evening*. It was lying close to the expansion joint which blew out. He gave it to David Davies. He did not tell anyone that he had picked it up. He could not account for the accident except by saying that something got under the valve in the same way with Davies as it did with him. He had charge of tho engine after Davies the same night, and raised eight men from the bottom. The engine worked as usual after the accident. There was nothing done to the engine before he worked it. He had com- plained to Mr Walker that the throttle valve leaked badly. He had only worked that engine for three weeks. He denied the evidence of Mr Walker given on Friday that he had been drinking. By Mr Robson The threads of packing which were produced he picked up near the expansion joint. By Supt. Thomas: It was the duty of the engineman to pack the joints. By Mr Robson: He was sure the bell had not rung when Davies called him. It was his prac- tice to shut off the steam before the signal-bell rang. By MP Rhys: It was a case of overwinding a fortnight ago. He complained to Mr Walker, but nothing had been done. He also complained to Mr Gray, H.M. Inspector. Davies and him- self did all thoy could to stop the engine. On Sunday fortnight he overwound slightly, and the men had to jump off the bowk down on to the trolley. If he had attempted to sot them down he might have knocked them through the trolley into the bottom of the shaft. By Mr W. M. Thomas He pieked up the threads of packing produced on Thursday. When he packed the joint on the night of the accident, he put in three turns of Asbestos packing. If any waste packing was blown from the expansion joint, it must go towards the boilers, and not towards the engine. Thomas Jenkins, contractor, Tylorstown, said ho had sunk^ many pits in the Rhondda, having had 35 years' experience in sinking. He had th« contract for sinking the pit. About seven months ago the engineman lost command of the engine, and the bowk went close to the sheave. Ilia (witness') son was m the bowk at the time. The valves were ex- amined, and a. piece of India rubber ring was found under the valve. The ring must have come from a joint. He instructed the engineer to make a perforated screen so as to prevent anything passing. He had not seen tns screen since it was put in, but the steam might have had some effect upon it. He had known Davies, the driver, and had always found him reliable. He had also employed Jones, and had every confidence in them as enginemen. If a flake of the waste packing (produced) got into the valve it would prevent it closing. By Mr W. M. Thomas: He did not think that steam would affect a brass or copper plate. The inquiry was then adjourned till 10 o'clock on Monday noxt. How to Prevent Overwinding. TO THE EDITOR. SIB, —The above lamentable accident has brought very forcibly to my mind an ingenious contriv- ance which I had the pleasure of seeing some three weeks ago in operation in a colliery in the north of France, for rendering these accidents almost impossible, and which, I think, should be made known to mine-owners with the least pos- sible delay. In company with other members of the Mining Association of Cornwall, I had the advantage of visiting, among other mines on the Continent, the admirably laid-out collieries of the Societe de Lens, near Lens, in the department of Lille. While being shown round the surface works by the chief engineer and director-general, who combines both offices in himself, and watching the fine engines at work hauling the coal with wonderful rapidity from underground, I was electrified to see the gentleman in question— while a large engine was winding on and off a 36ft drum a cage, containing six full tubs of coal and a cage, if I mistake not, loaded with men proceeding underground—motion the engineman away from the handle and make him stand quite clear of the engine—and from the expression of the man's face it was quite evident that this had not been rehearsed—and thus leave the powerful machine entirely to itself. Almost imme- diately a warning bell rang, and we became aware that a. powerful automatic brake-which I afterwards ascertained was on the Westinghouse principle—had been ap- plied to the engine, and the drum was visibly slackening speed. No notice, however, and the engineman was still told to remain where he was. Shortly after another bell rang, steam was com- pletely cut off, and the cage drew up to its plat- form exactly as if the engine had been controlled by the most practised driver. The apparatus consists of an arrangement of valves, which come into play directly the cage reaches a certain point in the shaft, and, if the engine should at that moment not be under con- trol, immediately apply the powerful air brake. This, however, allows the cage to proceed at a certain speed, but should another point in the shaft be passed and the engine be still out of con- trol, the brake is increased in power, steam en- tirely shut off,and thecage brought to a standstill. The arrangement imperfectly described above is the invention of M. Reumaux (Legion d'Honneur), who is the director-general of the society or corporation, and who so kindly showed us round on our arrival* We saw the experiment repeated at two or three other mine-shafts during the day without a hitch, and were all greatly struck with the sim- plicity and safety of the operation. I could not also but greatly admire the courage and con- fidence displayed in conducting those experiments without any warning whatever. This invention or some similar one may be in use in some of the mines in the North of England that I do not know, but I think the majority of mine-winding or hauling engines throughout the country have no such provision, and I therefore take this opportunity, Sir, with your permission, of drawing the atten- tion of the mining public to what is to their hand, and thus perhaps be instrumental in saving some valuable lives that otherwise might be thrown away in one of these most horrible of all mine accidents. Conceive the agony of being drawn to the light of day, getting perhaps a glimpse of some familiar spot or the bight of some friendly face, and then being dashed ruthlessly to pieces at the bottom of the pit.- I am. &c., ARCHIBALD E. PINCHING, Vice- President Mining Association, Cornwall. 32, Dover-street, W., Oct. 3. P.S.—-I might add that M. Reumaux kindly offered to let me have drawings and specifications of his apparatus, and would no doubt be glad to supply any person desirous of having them.

MR SPURGEON'S ILLNESS. Letter to a Cardiff Minister. The church assembling at Hope Baptist Chapel, Canton, having sent a letter of sympathy to the Rev O. H. Spurgeon, in his prolonged illness, the pastor, the RevT. W. Medhurst, read the follow- ing reply at the communion service last evening: —" Westwood, Beulah-hill, Upper Norwood,Sep- tember 28th, 1891. Pastor 1. W. Medhurst. Dear Brother,—Out beloved President is not able to reply to the many kind fnends who are sending loving messages, so he asks me to say to you, and through you to your church officers and members, that he is deeply touched by your loving words of sympathy and assurances of past and present pleadings at the Throne of Grace on his behalf, and for his beloved wife. That God has first inspired almost universal prayer for him, for his family, and for the Church at the Tabernacle, is not more evident than that He also is answering His people by giving back—slowly, indeed, but we believe surely — health and strength. There seemed last week as if there was a stay of pro- gress, but now again appetite is returning, and the outlook is more assuring. He sends his heartiest love, and also requests the continued prayer of your holy brotherhood. — Yours fraternally, J. L. KEYS, Secretary."

GREAT FIRE IN LONDON. One of the largest riverside fires which has oc- curred for years broke out on Sunday evening at Mark Brown's Wharf, Tooley-street. Imme- diately after the alarm was given the dangerous character of the outbreak was apparent, and a. very large proportion of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade was summoned to the scene. Under the superintendence of Captain Shaw, the firemen were promptly set to work in playing on the flames, which had evidently a very firm hold of the warehouse, which, together with those adjoining, was stocked with inflammable goods, consisting of tallow, tea, and colonial produce. After burning furiously for several hours the top floor of the adjacent warehouse in Potter's Fields was seeu to be alight. The fire- men, however, with renewed energies, succeeded in chocking this, but not until considerable damage had been done. Asalvageman named J. Smith was buried in the falling timbers, but was gallantly rescued by his comrades and conveyed to Guy s Hospital, where he now remains. On Monday a, number of firemen were able to leave, but it is expected that the fire will burn for several days. It is stated that the damage, which will amount to many thousand pounds, will be covered by insurance,

THE NEWUNDER-SECRETARY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS. The Press Association understands that Mr J. W. Lowther, M.P., upon taking over the Under- Secretaryship for Foreign Affairs, on Monday, gave up the position of Charity Commissioner, which be has held siuce 1887, but will continue to hold the position of deputy chairman of Ways and Means in the House ef Commons.

.2-r"ø-=-- VITH MONMOUTHSHIRE LIBERALS. Addresses by P. Price, M.P., and! Mr Alfred Thomas, M.P. On Monday evening Mr T. P. Price, the member for North Monmouthshire, accompanied by Mr Alfred Thomas, M.P. for East Glamorganshire, visited Blaenavon for tha purpose of delivering his annual address to his constituents there. There was an enthusiastic gathering of the Liberals of the district to bid them welcome, the local volunteer band escorting the hon. gentlemen from their quartsrs at the Lion Hocel, to Horeb Chapel, where the meeting was to bo held. Here a largo audience had already assembled. ond both gentle- men received quite an ovation as they entorc*: the chapel accompanied by the Chairman, tho Rev Lewis Rees and other leading members of the local Liberal Associations thera were also present the Revs Owen Tidmau, D. Lewis (Abersychan), W. Morgan, and Messrs W. P. James, J.P., T. Griffiths, J. Howells, W. Davis. J. Magness, A. Cowles, W. Bryant, W. Farr, and Mr Lewis Davis (hon. sec. of the Asso- ciation). A brief address of welcome was delivered by the Chairman, after which Mr T. Griffiths moved the following resolution :— That this meeting of the Liberals of Blaenavon desires to express its confidence in Mr T. P. Price, M.P., and its appreciation of his services as our repre- sentative in Parliament; it also records itrf gratifica- tion at the pronounced Radicalism of the programme adopted by Mr Gladstone at Newcastle, including, as It docs, Home Uule for Iœland, the Disestablishment and Disondowment of the Church in Wales, tho placing of Free Education under popularrep1'esemative control, registration and electoral reforms upon the principle of one man one vote, the placing of returning officers' expenses at Parliamentary elecdons upon the rate, the payment of members of Parliament, the establish- ment of parish and district councils, the direct popular veto on the liquor tr¡¡Jfic, and the" mtmdillg or ending" of the House of Lords. This meeting pledges itself to do all in its power to return Mr Price at the next general eleotion to takfl his place in the House ot Commons as:t loyal and trusty bupporter of the party of progress, under the chieftianship of tne greatest statesman of the day, the Grand Old Man. Mr J. Howells seconded the resolution, which was supported by Mr Lewis Davies. Mr A. THOMAS, M.P., who was the next to address the meeting, at once proceeded to discuss the National Institution of Waks Bill, He re- marked that since the celebrated conference at Llandudno he had had great encouragrment from all quarters, which had cheered him very much with regard to the position he took up on this Bill. He was determined, however, not to do anything that would in any way interfere with the disestablishmenc campaign. He believed both could be worked together, and that there was time for the National Institution Bill to grow. It was his great desire to work for the oause ha had had so much at heart for the last 30 years—the disestablishment cause —and with regard to this question he had to confess that he was somewhat disappointed at the utterances of their grand old leader, Mr Gladstone. Mr Gladstone seemed to think that the Scotch and Welsh Churches were conducted on parallel lines, but he said no greater mistake could bo made. The dissenters of Scotland had the same creed and the same church government as the Established Church, that is to say, that the United Presbyterians and Free Churches and the Stat^^church were precisely similar in creed and in church government. The case, however, was totaly different in Wales. Welsh dissenters had nothing in common with the Church of Eng- land, and he thought that, notwithstanding tha great knowledge of Mr Gladstone, he required a. little instruction in regard to Welsh Disestablish- ment. He felt very strongly on this point. Whilst he was anxious not to do anything that would interfere with the genera tenor of the Liberal programme, he was still of opinion that they,as the Welsh party, were not as aggressive as they ought to be, and it was their duty to put the Welsh cause in such a position that there should be no mistake as to which should have priority, whether the Scotch or Welsh Church. (Cheers). Mr T. P. PRICE, M.P., who received a hearty reception, dwelt at length on the national characteristics of Wales, the strong racial dis- tinctions of the Welsh people, which, he said, was the key to their history and were sharply defined. This had a very important bearing on the subject which was beginning to excite much public attention, namely, Home Rule for Wales. The time was at hand when they should strive after the administration of their own affairs. (Applause.) Quoting from Sir George Trevelyan, he said, Surely the time had come when the population of a great community who had set their minds on things which concerned themselves, and themselves alone, should have their own way." (Applause.) This, he said, was especially necessary in religious matters. Where conscience was concerned, compulsion was ridiculous and unjust. Proceeding, he referred to the free edu- cation question, contending that the present scheme had been so mutilated by the Tories as to be ineffective and incomplete. It was faulty because it was not under popular control. Tax- payers of all denominations had to support the scheme, yet it was unfair and one-sided legislation, and avowedly in favour of the Established Church. He then alluded to the Irish question, pointing out that as soon as the present Govern- ment had got to the end of their tether the ques- tion would be settled in the manner so much desired by all save the Tories and the Dissentient Liberals. (Applause.) The cause of Ireland waa stronger now than ever, and the Irish people were undoubtedly able to undertake the govern- ment of their own domestic affairs without let or hindrance from ourselves or anyone else. (Ap- plause.) The resolution was then put and carried with acclamation, and votes of thanks to the speakers and chairman brought the proceedings to a close.

REMARKABLE COUNTY-COURT CASE. At Llanelly County-court on Monday—before his Honour Judge Bishop—Mrs Esther Edmunds, of Chili Villa, Burry Port, claimed £10 from Joseph Jenkins, grocer, Burry Port, being the amount of money lent by her deceased husband to him.—Mr W. Howell (in the absence of Mr D. Williams-Rees, solicitor) appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr Beaumont, barrister (instructed by Mr Morgan, solicitor, Swansea) appeared for defendant.—In opening the case, Mr Howell said plaintiff was the widow of the late Mr Wm. Edmunds, of Chili Villa. Burry Port, and was the executrix of his will. The action was brought for £12, being money lent by her hus- band to defendant, who, however, had paid £2 of that amount shortly before the deceased gentleman's death, in response to an application made by him for a part of the loan. The defendant set up that a portion of the money lent had been paid by him to his sister, who was living with deceased, but he (Mr Howell) claimed that she had no authority whatever to receive it.—Mrs Esther Edmunds, sworn, said that she was widow of the late Mr William Edmunds, and executrix of his will. Just before his death she wrote a letter at her husband's instructions (pro- duced) to the defendant asking for the repay- ment of the money lent. A reply was sent by defendant that he only owed £2. as he had given the rest to his sister, because she wanted it for her little boy. Her husband kept two houses —one at Burry Port, and the other at Swansea. The defendant's sister lived, to the best of witness's knowledge, in the house at Swansea.— By his Honour: The house was not he hus- band's property, but he paid the rent. Her husband told her so. The defendant, examined as a. witness, said he was perfectly aware of the rela- tions between Mr Edmunds and his sister. His sister wrote to him from Swansea (where she lived at 40, Bellevue-street) saying that she had no money to buy food for her child.—His Honour She said she was starving !—Defen- dant was understood to reply in the affirmative, and added that he went up and gave her the money.—His Honour Did Mr Edmunds know that ?—Defendant: Yes, because he reo quested me to give money to her whenever she wanted it. Witness further added that he gave j35 back to Mr Edmunds because he asked for it; he was ill at the time at Swansea.—Judgment was given for the defendant.—Another case was then proceeded with, in which Mrs Edmunds, the plaintiff in the above case, claimed the return xif certain furniture which was at the house in Swansea, and which she claimed belonged to her husband, or their value to the amount of £45.- The defence set up by the v defendant, viz.. Margaret Jenkins, spinster, Pehcoed, Burry Port, was that the furniture was given as a gift to her by the late Mr Edmunds.—The parties were represented as in the first case.—Mr Howell said deceased lived with the defendant in this case in a house at Swansea, whilst his wife (the plaintiff) lived at Chili Villa, Burry Port, where the defendant bad formerly been m deceased's employ as a servant. Immediately after deceased's death an inventory was taken of the fur- niture in the house at Swansea. After this, however, the whole of the furni. ture was removed by defendant; hence tht, action. He was told that the defence set up wai that the deceased had given them to her as a gift. But the person who did say so was avowedly a woman who was living with Mr Edmunds in a state of immoral relationship. Mr Edmunds had made his will in favour of his wife.—Evidence was given by Joseph Jenkins (defendant'* brother): and Mrs Jeffreys, Bellevue-street, Swan- sea, as to Mr Edmunds having given the furni- ture to defendant as a. gift.—In this case als* judgment was given for defendant.

TRAGEDY AT DUNDEE. Dundee was on Saturday the scene of a shock" ing tragedy. Jonah Lonly (54), yarn-dresser, received a visit early in the evening from his son and a man named Munch. While all three were drinking together a tenter named Macaulay joined the party. The fresh arrival caused angry words. In the end Macaulay and the younger Lonly had recourse to blows. The latter followed Macaulay home, and engaged in a fistic en- counter with him. The elder Lonly appeared of the scene, and while trying to act as peacemakei was fatally stabbed by Macaulay. The youngei Lonly was also cut about the left leg. Macaula] has been arrested.

ANNOYING LADY DUDLEY. At Bow-street police-court, on Monday, Edwar* Rowden, described as a gentleman, wa* charged, on remand, with annoying tht Dowager Countess of Dudley, whereby a breach of the peace might have been occasioned. Mr Richard Wontner applied for a further re- mand, as Lady Dudley was still out of town. Prisoner's solicitor said that Lady Dudley had written a very kind letter to prisoner's mother, l and he thought something might be done to prep vent further annoyauce. Prisoner was remude# until Saturday.