The Cardiff Times

THE RAILWAY DISASTER AT PONTYPRIDD. Heavy Damages for Personal Injuries. An action was some time ago broughtm the High Court of Justice by John Waldron, junior, of Pontypridd, against the Taff Vale Railway Company, to recover damages for personal in- juries sustained in the recent railway accident at Pontypridd. Interlocutory judgment baying been signed against the company, a wnt of in- quiry was directed to the Sheriff of Glamorgan- shire to assess the damages, the claim being for the sum of £2,000. The inquiry took place at the Guildhall, Neath, on Monday, before Mr W. H. David, deputy under sheriff. Mr Abel Thomas, M.P., instructed by Mr W. R. David, solicitor, Ponty- Eridd, appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr David rewitf, instructed by Messrs Ingledew, Ince, and Vachell, for the defendant company. The cause of action arose from an accident which took place on tho 15th of August last at Pontypridd railway station. The plaintiff, whose father is a signalman 1n the employ of the defendants, had taken a ticket from Pontypridd Station, and was waiting on the platform for the train. It was alleged that the defendant company, by themselves or their servants, negligently permitted a train to be driven into a train already at the station, whereby a part of one of the said trains fell upon or against the plaintiff, who sustained severe injuries. His right leg had to be amputated, and his right arm bad to be dislocated at the shoulder joint—which was badly bruised. A large piece of the left thigh was torn off, and other injuries were sustained. The jury assessed the damages at £750, and at the suggestion of the defendant company's counsel recommended that the sum of J3500 should be in- vested forthwith in trust for the plaintiff, who is a minor.

VISIT OF THE LORD MAYOR TO CARDIFF. A meeting of the Lord Mayor of London's Reception Committee of the Cardiff Corporation was held at the Town Hall on Mon- day under the presidency of the Mayor (Alderman T. Rees). There were also present Aldsrinftn T. W. Jacobs, Coun- cillors S. A. Brain, W. J. Trounce, W. Lewis, T. Andrews, F. J. Beavan, J. Herbert Cory, and the Town Clerk (Mr J. L. Wheatley).—The committee considered the official programme for the dates of the Lord Mayor >i visit, namely, July 1st and 2nd. The pro- gramme as finally adopted was as follows Friday, July 1st, 3 p.m.—The Lord Mayor will arrive at the Great Western Station and be received there by the Mayor and Corporation, with an escort of mounted police, etc., who will accompany his lordship to his re-idence. 6.30 p.m.—Banquet at the Park Hall, when the Lord Mayor will be presented with the honorary freedom of the county borough. Saturday, July 2nd, 11 a.m.—Mayor and Corporation will accompany the Lord Mayor on his visit to the Cardiff Docks. 1.30 p.m.—Luncheon in the Assembly-room of the Town Hall. 3 p.m.—Procession of Trades, Benefit Societies, and Friendly Societies. 8 pjn.—Welsh Concert, ParkeHall. The question of escort to the Lord, Mayor Was considered, and it was eventually tie* Qidedto ask the commanding officer of the local mounted infantry volunteers to form the guard of honour, and also to communi- cate with the commanding officers of the Glamorgan Artillery, the Submarine Minors, and the Volunteer Battalion of the Welsh Regiment, asking them to take part in the proceedings with their respective regiments and line, the route of the procession. The name of Mr E. W. Shackell was added to the committee, and the following sub-committees were appointed :— Musical Committee. — Messrs Shackell, Trounce, Riches, and Alderman David Jones. Procession and Decoration Committee.—Messrs F. J. Beavan, Herbert Cory, Brain, Andrews, and Alderman Jacobs. Banquet Committee.—Mr W. Lewis, the Mayor, and Alderman Carey.

CARDIFF MUSICAL FESTIVAL. Meeting cfthe Council. On Saturday evening the two Committees and the Council of the Cardiff Trisnnial Musical Festival met at the Park Hotel to discuss the final arrangements for the engagement of artistes* and selection of works. At six o'clock a meeting of the Musical Committee was held, Mr W. H. Johnstone in the chair; at 7.45 the Finance Committee met, with Mr EL W. Rice in the chair; and finally, both committees amalgamated to form the Council at half-past eight, Councillor E. W. Shackell pre- siding. There was a large attendance, including Dr Parry, Dr Treasure, Rev W. A. Downing, Messrs T. E. Aylward, Walter Scott, H. Brooks- bank (Mus. Bac.), F. E. Atkins (Mus. Bac.), Walter-Scott (solicitor. W. H. Johnstone, J. W. Morris, E. Handcock (juuA H. M. Thompson, E. Barry, B. Newman, E. W. Waits, R. S. Fisher, T. Evans, G. A. Woods, and W. A. Morgan (hon. secretary). The following letter was read from Sir Arthur Sullivan :— Monaco, March 5th, 1832. Dear Sir,—I am delighted to hear that you have secured Mr Barnby as oonduefcorof the Cardiff FestUral. You are quite at liberty to perform the "Golden Legend" (using, of course, Cho origiual bells)ta.nd I hope to be able to accept tho invitation of the Committee to conduct the work myself, but I am obliged to make this promise provisional only, as my engagements to- wards the Leeds Festival might interfere with my coming, but I hope to arrange matters so that I can visit Cardiff.—Yours very truly, (Signed) ARTHUR SCLLTVAN. This letter was regarded as in the highest degree satisfactory. Thebon. secretary reported thoTesult of his interview with Mr Barnby. Mr Barnby offered several suggestions with regard to the pro- gramme on the score that the» ^chorus were being too severely used in works which would not prove a sufficient draw for the public. He proposed the substitution of Berlioz's "Faust,' Mackenzie's Dream of Jubal," and H. Parry's Blest Pair of Sirens," in place of SchuberfsMuss in E flat, L'Allegro, and the Requiem Mass (Mozart). At the recommendation of the Musical Committee, the suggestions were adopted.—Mr Hugh Brooksbank vyas unanimously appointed organist of the Festival.—A lengthy discussion took place with regard to the list of artistes which tho Musical Committee recommended. It was ultimately decided to approach the following with the idea of eugaging them if the secretary ob- tained suitable terms Madame Nordioa, Misa Anna WiUiams, Miss Hilda Wilson, Miss Eleanor Raes, Mr Edward Lloyd, Mr Ben Daviea, Mr Watkin Mills, Mr Ludwig. The engagement of the orchestra, with Mr Alfred Burnett as leader was also sanctioned.—It was decided that the Council should wait upon the Cardiff Town Council with a view to asking for financial support in the undertaking.

EUROPEANS IN CHINA. Further Outrages Feared. I' The Hankow correspondent of the Central NAW<T writing under date February 7.tb, says iTh^e has been no sign of any trouble h*rn lately, but the dissemination of filthy and foreieu literature continues upon an Xmmg scale, eo that the presence ofTBritish and a German gunboat is a^eatin- solation to the European community. Yesterday awhile meeting of the British residents at Han- kow was held in the library of the English club at which a petition to Lord Salisbury was'drawn up, numerously signed, drawing- hk attention to the danger winch must result from tho dissemination of auti foreign: placards, pamphlets, &c., in whic]b are accused o? perpetrating most revolting and unheard of crimes, and are tbr^tened with TvmrrW and unmentionable # outrage oy way of punishment. Under ordinary^circutr. stances the petitioners harmless natives are .P6406? nassions be but they are capable, should their P roused, of perpetrating atrocities human character. JSo mob, it w no^inff easily roused as a Chinese mob, ar^ done to check these incitements to violei^°f will be further anti-foreign note ^"her bloodshed.

ROAD ACOIDENT AT TONÐU. a tssa: by an invalided huckster, na"d Holtam was coming up on the P when the waggonette, loaded with passengers re- turn^nl fromlKenfig-hill, ran into the donkey cart, breaking the shafts and injuring the driver and the donfay. Holtam was carnecK home.

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Being a Giant. II I suppose there is also an unpleasant side to this ?" I queried of the smiling giant who sat cross-legged on a platform in the same museum. Well, being a giant bag its drawbacks as well as advantages," bo replied in a voice which evi- dently travelled a long distance before it reached bis throat. What is the most disagreeeble thing you have to complain of?" Little men, sir. Singular as it may seem, little men, especially in the west, take-an aversion to me on sight, and I cannot tell you how tired they make me. I could piok ùp haJf-a-dozen quarrels a day if I was a bad-tempered giant. It is a good thing for some of these small fry that I am what I am—an even-tempered man, under an ironclad contract not to strike anybody." How do they bother you ?" I asked as he stretched out an arm and made a fist about the size of a Wayne county pumpkin. They want to light me," he roplied. St Paul and St Louis are two of the worst places on the circuit. It is sometimes all I can do to hold my- self when I get around to those towns. There's a chap In St Louis I've got to reduce to a jelly before I can take any solid comfort in this world. Yes, I've got to reach out for him some day, get a hand on either side, and squeeze him as flat as a rag." What ails that particular man 1" He gets two or three drinks into him and then comes into the museum and stands before me and calls me names and spits on his hands and dares me to knock a chip off his shoulder. The more he talks the madder he gets, and the last time I was there he had his coat off and was about to pitch into me when the policeman put him out. Some of tbe spectators say he actually did strike me, but I didn't feel it." Then ycu have sometimes been assaulted by those little men ?' I suppose so. That is, I have been told that Ihave, though I have no personal knowledge of it." Did you everstrike anybody V I asked, as he kindly held me at arm's length to get a kink out of the muscles of his left arm. No, not exact y. There was a little man who used to hang around the museum at Dayton, 0., which is on my circuit. How that little feller did ache for a row with me. I've seen him feel so bad that he cried like a child. They said that ho was the most peaceful man in that community when I was away, but the minute he heard I was in town ha became cantankerous. He'-d come mto the musee and offer me everything he had on earth to go outside the corporation with him. I really used to feel sorry for him. It was enough to melt a heart of stone to hear him go on and call me a liar, coward, horse thief, hypocrite, murderer, perjurer, coyote, hyena, and so forth, and then plead with me by an I held sacred to go out into the suburbs with him and give him a show." But you couldn't go ?" No, I am under a contract wherever I exhibit not to kill anybody. However, one night after the show I wentout with a friend for a walk. I had tem- porarily forgotten all about the little man, but it seems that be followed us. We were well away from the centre of the town when he pitched into me." Did you know it at the time ?" Only in a vague sort of way. We were talk- ing business, and I just felt that something annoyed me. I got hold of it and gave it a ning and thought no more of it until next day when the papers reported that the body of the little man had been found in the top of a shade-tree in a vacant lot. I suppose I am technically to blame for his death." "Such things are unpleasant." Very unpleasant, indeed. But for them a giant's life would be one long summer day, filled with ice cream, taffy and quail on toast. In your capacity as a newspaper man I wish you would appeal to the sawea-off men of this country to either keep away from the dime museum alto- gether, or to conduct themselves in a rational, genteel way when they do como. A year hence, when my contract expires, if forty or fifty of them want me to walk out on some farmer's meadow with them and give them satisfaction I shall be perfectly willing to oblige, but while I am situ- ated as I am they ought to let mo aloae. Will you appeal to them in my behalf ?" I will." "Just say that until the present contract ex- pires the giant hopes the sawed-off public will have the kindness not to make him tired. That will be about it, and I'll bewholly (seven feet four inches high and three hundred pounds of meat) obliged." — A Nervy Patient. Last Saturday I ran into a dental studio in Williamsburg to have a front tooth half-soled, and while waiting for the dentist to amalgamate some saw-filings and brick-dust for the cavity a suffering jay from East New York came in with desperation in lli3 eye, and said he must have thirteen throbbing snags snatched at once. "Do you think your nerves can stands the shock ?" the dentist asked as he fumbled in his case for hia tongs. "Never do you mind my nerves, Doc., I could stand to have you draw my diaphragm when I inosten my gonius with a little of this stuff," and he proceeded to empty about a pint of the worst smelling rum down his gullet I've encountered since I left Iowa. The dentist got him into the velvrty oliair and adjusted the thing until the victim's little blonde beard pointed directly toward the zenith. He then asked the fellow to open his mouth. He did so, and I ea&iiy saw the pimples on bis larynx, but the dentist insisted that he could open it much wider. He tried it, and I readily saw the three upper rings of the trachea, in fact I could see every thing except the throbs at the roots of his fangs which wete making him howl The dentist then inserted a kind of a mal-formed mon- f Vey wrench with a pair of jaws like an alligator's. Ha began at the wisdom teeth and worked his way to the front. After snatching from its bony bed the first bread crusher the victim criticised i the manner m which his face lw»d been twisted about. He also stated that it was not only pain. ful but it rendered his breathing difficult to have his nose pushed over under bis left ear. After t moistening his gums with more of the rummy lymph he said WeH, Doc, you may finish me now. I'm pre- pared for the worst." Between pulls he would uncork his bottle and proceed to benumb his nerves with the dead. drops then he would drawl out- Let 'er go, Doc. I can stand it if you can." When the- dentist finished the fellow wished to know if he could have new teeth in right way. No, you must wait two months for your mouth to shrink," thedentisttold him. How in the deuce am I going to chaw my feed 3" he replied. The chutist suggested that he leavo off hickory nuts and bjjLrd cider for a month, and take to soup and soaked sago. The last I saw of thefellow-he was using all the sidewalk andjporfcions of thegutter, and asking at every coraer for a place where he might get a light- lunch of soup and sago for fifteen cents. Another Who Had Not. ItVfunny," said the young man who bad just. ^opened a grocery store in the neighbourhood, that I can't get that woman's trade. I've gone out of my way to be pleasant to her, and she won't even look in here any more." Wasn't she evetin here tasked the customer. Once," replied the youag man, "and I treated her the best I knew how. She had her little boy with her, a.nd he was tickled to death with the little white mouse I have in the cage on the front counter." And she ?" Oh, she liked it, too. She said it was a pretty little thing, and seemed to enjoy his pleasure in watching its antics. So I just thought I'd clinch matters and I took it out of the cage ;and put it on the floor. It's tame, you know. The boy was perfectly delighted." "And the mother?" She said it was- one of the cutest things she ever saw, but-she sat right down on a stool and pulled her dress close around her anklea, and pretty soon she got hold of the boy and backed oui of the door with him. She said she was ever so much obliged to me, but she looked sort of pale, and hasn't been in here since, Funny, isn't it, when I tried to be so nice to hor ?' Judge Seay and the Gambler. Two good stories are told of the now Governor of Oklahoma. While holding court a.t El Reno, 0, T., a short time since, Judge Seay had a number of gamblers brought before him, charged with violating the laws of the Territory. All but one decided to plead not guilty and post- pone their cases. The solitary one concluded ho would plead guilty. The Judge inquired Guilty or not guilty ?" To this the young man very bravely answered, Guilty, sir," with a smile on bis face. The Judge opened tho docket and commenced to write something, and in a high-toned South-western Missouri voice said, I fine you 50 dollars," still writing on his docket. The ymtung man with a smile said. ''Judge, I've got juj^t that amount in my hip pocket and can pay it.7\ The Judge kept writing, but hesitated as the yftnng map counted out his money, finally continuing the sentence, and six months in the county jail. Have you got that in your hip-pooket, too ? This ex-Supreme Judge differed from most of the exponents of law who emigrated to that new country in that he did not sell his farm and put all his wealth in Jaw books. He just went down there with his good sense and past legal acquire- ments. Commenting upon this fact, and that the other two Supreme Judges bad large libraries for f reference, a friend once said to him, Where's your library, Judge 1" He replied, "1 haven't any. Law books always tended to confuse me." Told in the Post-Office. He was an old fashioned man. Not alone were his clothes behind the age, but his face and its expression were old-fasbioned. It turned out that his ideas and language were alsoold-fasbioned, for when he asked a young man whom he met in the post-office where he could get a letter sent to him from hia good wife up in the northern part of the state, he explained Ye see, I am a stranger here, and while your neighbours are all near by ye don't know none of 'em. My wife promised to write to me about the farm, an' I s'pose a letter is already come, though, that I seem like I'm somebody else. "Ye see, I'm down here lookin' for my daughter, She Waited on people at a hotel near our place, and there she mat some city lady and went to New York with her without lettin' us know. Mebbe it's all right and she'll come back, but— but""—and the old-fashioned man shed tears In the o!d.o!dfaaMoB —.T.

A Llanelly Breach of Promise Case. THE DRAPER'S COURTSHIP. Amusing Correspondence. At the Carmarthenshire Assizes on Friday Misa Agnes Gallie, Charles-terrace, Llanelly, claimed £500 from Mr W. H. Lewis, draper, Stepney-street, Llanelly, for breach of promise of marriage. Mr Arthur Lewis (instructed by Mr W. Howell) was for the plaintiff, and Mr Abel Thomas (instructed by Mr D. W. Kees) for defendant. Mr Arthur Lewis, in opening the case, said that defendant denied that he ever promised to marry plaintiff. From the evidence be would adduce, however, there was no doubt of the breach, and defendant had been married since the proposal was made. There had been certain letters written by the defendant, and these were, more or less, of a lively character. In one letter he called her his Darlmg Agnes." I shall," he said "be glad when I see my darling Agnes in one more Sunday, I hope at Bridgend." In that epistle three crosses followed his name. He (the learned counsel) did not pretend to know what they meant, but, after consulting bis learned friend (Mr Abel Thomas) he learned that they meant kisses. (Laughter.) In another letter the plaintiff said, If every Sunday is going to be the same as this one the sooner the better you leave Bridgend." Then followed a very touching and poetical passage:— I got up very early this momin" aad went up the old favourite walk for a stroll before breakfast. Didn't I feel strange up that road myself ? I picked these few ivy leaves and thought I would send them you when I was writing. The ivy leaves take with them my love. I also went to All Saints' Church this morning. So you see I am setting quite good all at once. I hope you feel the same way inclined as myself in that respect. He said, in conclusion, Write soon, very fondest Willie." Then came three more hieroglyphics. (Laughter.) A third letter again began with Dariing Agnes," and continued:— So glad to receive your letter last evening. I was looking out for it all day long. I expected it in the morning, but did not receive it until the evening. You may guess I opened it very soon. So you went to church last night for the first time. ——— same. I am glad my darling was not in the trap when the acci- dent occurred to Mr Lewis. I was very sorry to hear that such a thing occurred. I suppose Mra Lewis was not with him at the time. I suppose it will put an end now to your Sunday outing. I did miss my going down to your house, as we used to when it was wet. I did feel miserable. Oh how I wish I was near my darling Agnes last Sunday the day seem to pass like weeks. I am so glad that you are*coming home next Saturday night. I shall be at the station meeting my darling. I was down at your house last Friday and Monday night. I shall spend this evening in the Park listening to the band, as it is beautiful and fine to day. I would enjoy a walk with my dearest one, much better up the old walk, ycu know, than listening to all the bands in the world." Iu this letter he left out the kisses and became more affectionate in his determination, signing himself. "From your loving, or one who loves you, Willie." In a further letter he wrote :— This week will be a long one for me, asl am looking forward for Sunday to go and see my darling one. The nights do seem miserable to me now, that i don't see vouin the evenings; but I do hope it won't be for long. Every time I smoke ray pipe I say I wish I had you to speak to instead. I must now wind up, as it's half-past six. I must be off to get stamps, and go to the station with this letter for .my darling Agnes, concluding with fondest love.—Frum x x x x Willie. Just one more quotation, and that, too, of a touching description:— My darling Agnes,—I have stopped indoors to-night to write tha letter to my darling one which I pro- mised to write Tuesday evening. I did not return from the Flower Show until nine. I met the head butler at Stradey there, and he made me ktep company all the evening with him. We went to the Atheuseum to see Dorothy and hear Queen of my Heart" suag. I wished 1 had the queen of my heart with me thou and at the Flower Show. I was alone from 4 to 7.30. I was happier by myself than in any other young Lady's company. There were pienty about, but none like my darling one. I was thinking of you all the while, and was there seeing others promenading about with their better halves. Although there had been some laughter excited by the reading of the letters, the case had a serious aspect; the plaintiff had been prevented from occupying the position of the wife of a man who carried on a substantial business, and from enjoying those worldly advantages which the plaintiff might have afforded her. Those things would have to be considered by the jury in esti- mating the damages that should be awarded. Mr Lewis then called Agnes Gallie, Charles-terrace, Llanelly, the plaintiff, who said she hved at home witii her mother, and was 21 years of age. She first met defendant in December, 1388. She was in the habit of meeting him frequently. He called at her house for her, and they walked out often. In Jolv, 1889, she went to Bridgend. There the de- fendant went to see her once, and she got letters from him. In September, 1889, she returned to Llanelly. Defendant was still residing there. He was then a draper's assistant, but now he was carrying on business in Stepney-atreet on his own account. On her return to Bridgend defendant's visits were renewed, and she walked out with him as often as formerly. He used to call on her every day except on Thursdays and Saturdays, his busy days." Ih OctoBer, 1589, ho proposed to her. lie asked her if she 1o.d. hit."1 well euaugh to marry him. She gave an affirmative reply. He said, If you'll have.pw» J'U hay# you." He said he wanted her to marry him as soon as his shop waa ready. She accepted his proposal of marriage. He bad given her presents, such as a shawl, a gold locket and ring, and a brooch con- taining his photo. He pointed out the bouse which he would like to live in after his marriage. He said the honeymoon should be spent m London, and that they would have a fortnight there. That was said about Decamber, 1889. On one occasion he said he wished the new building was ready, as he wished to make his home there. He called her attention to the fact that ivy leaves were on the brooch. She thought they interpreted clinging affection. (Laughter.) In April, 1890, she again went to Bridgend. She never had any difference at all with him. Tha first intimation that she had that the courtship was not to continue was by the returnof jewellery she had given to him. She instanced a locket and solitaires which he bad worn. They came back in a box with a note, the latter of which she had burned. The note asked her if she would acknowledge the receipt of the jewellery. That was about July of 1890. She acceded "to that request. He subsequently wrote to her for some photos. (The plaintiff now completely broke down, and wept while the Judge read over some of her evidence for the benefit of the jury.) The photo in questitai was one of defendant's in hia volunteer unifcrm, which he had taken whtle in camp. She wrote twice to defendant while she was at Bridgend on the second occasion. She heard three months before ha was married of his intention. She had been in the habit of visiting defendant's relations- with him, and he treated him as his engaged wife, and he was tn the habit- of kissing her at night when parting firm her. (Laughter.) Cross-examined: Defendant Would be 26 next month, therefore she was 17 and he 21 when they first met. All the letters (produced), with the exception of one, were written prior to September 6th, 1889. The first proposal of marriage was in October, 1839. He seldom kissed her during the lovely walks around Llanelly. (Laughter.) They Went outside the house to kiss they never did it ,in the presence of her mother. (Laughter.) She •acknowledged that the followmg was written by the defendant:— Dear Miss Gallie,—I don't know how to express the kindness I owe you for the present you gent me. When I received tho parcel I had not the slightest idea where tt came from and from whom. I was a long time looking at the handwriting before I opened it, trying to make out the writing. When I opened it and saw what it Was, and from whom it came, I thought you had a very sharp eye to notice 1 was minus of a pouch Tuesday night. Really I don to think I deserved it, as it was a pleasure; aud may further say I deemed it an honour to escort you to the theatre, trusting that it won't bo the last time either. I really must confers I was not the possessor of a tobacco poach, because I had only re^started smoking about a week ago, I had given itap for a long time. Every time I take the poach out of my pocket now you may guess of whom my thoughts are. I also apologise for not acknowledging the receipt of the parcel before. To tell you the truth, I didn'tknow your address. She said she sent the pouch as payment for having been taken to the theatre. Mrs James, wife of Dd. James, Ralph-terrace, Lakfcfield, Llanelly, said the parties were in the habit of visiting her house together. She could nofc say the year they began to pay the visits. She Used to go to the plaintiff's hquse very often, and she bad seen the defendant and the plaintiff there together. Witness could not, however, state the year. She remembered the plain- tiff going to Bridgead. The defendant was very nice to the, plaintiff- he was, in fact* loving. (Laugher-) Witness saw the plaintiff and the defendant parting previous to the plaintiff's second visit to Bridgend. He said, 44 Ba sure to write," ft11" they kissed each 1 other. Cross-examined: Witness saw the parting through her window. She could not say that sweethearts at Llanelly spoke very loudly when parting, bat the defendant spoke in a hjgrli tone. (Laughter.) Witness oonld not say what the date was, but was sure it was before the plaintiff's second visit to Bridgend. Re-examined bv Mr Lewis: She lived next door to the plaintiff. Mrs-Gallir, sister-in-law of the plaintiff, said., the plaintiffs mother was too ill to attend the trial. Witness made the acquaintance of the de- fendant in 1889. on the occasion of a marriage at which he officiated as best man. She saw the plaintiff and the defendant together on the even- ing of the wedding day.. they were in the habit of visiting plainhouse. Those visits went on till tbe Jellr 1890. In October, 1889, she removed from Ajbet't-^treet to Stepney- plaoe. The defendant visited the latter ae at the former place, and on °ne occasion she was nursing a baby and she said to the defendant, "Now when you get married you must not gel; children ,r-(laughter)—andl»e yefendaut replied. It When I get married I w1" Set children as Agnes (the plaintiff) doses not 1o.e them." (More laughter.) Cross-examined by Mr Tbpmaa: She first heard that the defendant had givenup the plaintiff when the Latter returned ,ri5*gend in 1890. Asked as to Mrs GaHir'a (the plaintiffs mother) health, witness denied that snawaa wen and able to go about. Mrs (JaUir juovefl "ouse last week. Mr Thomas: Was not tho. reuiarlc, "When I grot married I will not get children" meant as a joke?—:Witness Yda can that way. Mr Abel Thom«a con 'hat the letters written by the defendant were ^fceika long time previous to tbo aRegoS ^d it had b*on shown that the parties dio upon those letters as letters which a Written by people who were going to .^f'od. The eon. duct of the parties w.tis identical after October, 1889, when the promise smd to have been made, with that m the previous October. W. H. Lewis, the defendant- called, and said h,e waa 26 next April. ve ? plaintiff in Dec., 1885, and fOr.some time lie kept company wi th her. He never recoU^c^ ia *390 asking the 1 • plaintiff if she would marry him. When she was t at Bridgend he visited her, but that was not an unusual thing with young men at Llanelly. In April, 1890, she went to Bridgend for the second time. He returned the locket and solitaires, and she sent back the photographs, and from that time he heard nothing from her, except through a Jroung man, who said that she had told him the east thing he (the witnoss) could do was to raise his hat when passing her. He did not know she grieved for him, nor did he think she wanted him as a husband. Cross-examined by Mr Lewis: Witness managed the drapery business at Llanelly for his father. It was not his (witness's) business. His father's name appeared over the door. Witness did not deny that he was fond of the plaintiff. She was his sweetheart for a time -the queen of his heart. (Laughter.) He did not deny sending her the ivy leaves. When he wrote to her as "My own darling" and Queen of my heart" and other terms of endear- ment he was her sweetheart. He was fond of her. (Laughter.) He would swear that when walking out with the plaintiff one day he did not point to a house in Penyfai-road as the on3 in which they would live when married. He never talked about their honeymoon. Her statement that he said they were going to London for a fort- night to spend their honeymoon was an absolute untruth. In spite of the letters, he wished the jury to believe that he never suggested marriage to the plaintiff. He did not deny kissing plaintiff when parting with her previous to her second visit to Bridgend. Mr Abel Thomas, in addressing ths jury for the defence, said this case was not one or those in which a man behaved badly to a woman. He denied that there had been any promise of marriage, and said that if the plaintiff had wanted anything but damages she would not haveaent back presents in such cool language, and she would not have waited until the honeymoon was over before going to her solicitor. He sub- mitted that she wanted damages and not the man. In that case she was not entitled to a brass farthing. Mr Arthur Lewis said that no man could have written the letters which had been submitted unless he meant to conclude with a promise cf marriage and was it likely that plaintiff was going to throw herself on her knees before de- fendant and ask him the reason for not keeping his promise when she heard that he was about to be married to another lady ? The jury returned a verdict for the plaintiff with £50 damages. Mr Arthur Lewis mentioned the case of Gallie v. Lewis on Saturday morning, and asked bis lordship to give judgment for plaintiff m accord- ance with the verdict of the jury, who awarded the plaintiff £W damages. Mr Abel Thomas, for the defendant, asked bis lordship to stay execution for a reasonable time, as it was iutended to apjjeal on the ground tbat there was insufficient evidence as to the alleged promise of marriage. The Judge entered judgment for plaintiff in accordance with the verdict of the jury, but stayed execution for a fortnight.

SINGULAR LOCAL LAW CASE. A Penarth Woman Claims her Child. Mr Justice Dsnrr. an and Mr Justice A. L. Smith, sitting as a Divisional Court in the Queen's Bench Division of the High Court of Justice on Monday, heard the ex parte motion Griffiths against Lewis.—Mr Wiprhtman Wood said he appeared for Emma Griffiths, and no one-opposed him. He made application for a rule nisi calling on William Lewis and Elizabeth, his wife, of Penarth, Glamorganshire, to show cause why a writ of attachment should not issue against them for disobeying an order of Justice Jeune made in Chambers in September last, requiring them to deliver up a child named Ada Griffiths to her mother, his client. Two orders bad been made, one on the 9tb September, and a second peremptory order on the 22nd October, 1891. and both had been con- tumaciously disregarded. The second order commanded the defendants to deliver up the child at the office of plaintiff's solicitor at Swan- sea within 24 hours of the service of the order. The child was taken to the office, but wa3 taken away again by some person, who said the child could not be delivered up unless J580 was paid by the mother. The prosecutrix was a poor woman, I and there had been some delay owing to the first solicitor she employed refusing to act unless some money was paid. The Lewises had got possession of th^child, which they did not claim by any right, but simply as a lien for their money.—No one appearing on the other side, the rule nisi was granted.

EMBEZZLEMENT BY AN ABER- DARE TRAVELLER. Jeremiah Edwards, Aberdare, traveller, was charged on remand at the Merthyr Police-court on Monday—before Mr W. M. North and Mr W. Smyth-with embezzling several sums of money belonging to his employer, Howard Chenhalls. Prosecutor stated the charges he now preferred against prisoner were that on the 27th July he embedded 18s which ho received from Thomas Thomas, 9, Cambrian-street, jilerthyr, on account of Bibles which ho had purchased of prisoner; that en the 17th April, 1891, ho embezzled £1 which harpegfyed aisp from Mr .Thomas; and that on the 8th May, 1291, he embezzled £1 which ho received* from James Morgan, 3, King's-street, Merthyr.—Evidenca was given by Tbos. Thomas as to tha payment to the prisoner as prosecutor's representative of the sums referred to.—Prisoner pleaded guilty, and in reply tothe Caort. Inspector Tovvnsend stated that on the 6th April, 18B0, prisoner was sent to gaoHor two months for embeaaioment at Mer- thyr.—Itt rpply to the Stipendiary, prosecutor said he bad a large number of cases against tho prisoner. He discovered the delinquencies threo weeks ago, and the sums in question would amount already to £25,-Pri.saner now pleaded that he was in want of means for his wife and family.—He was sent to gaol for three months with hard labour.

MINERS' CLAIM FOR WAGES AT YSTRAD. At Ystrad Polieecourfc on Monday—before Mr Ignatius Wilnamc, Mr T. P. Jenkins, and Aid. W. Morgan—John Bumble and Joseph Moore, colliers, summoned laoweli Jones, proprietor of a level at Ystrad, for JS2 169 each, alleged to be due to them for services rendered whilst in his employ.—Mr Rhys appeared for the plaintiffs.— Tho eyidcnce showed that the plaintiffs had worked four days in the colliery level, but their operations were interrupted because they had no horse to convey the dislodged mineral away. De- fendant was informed of tho cessation of work, and promised to despatch a pony into the level on the morrow after the stoppage. He did not do so consequently tbo men had nothing to do but to loiter about the workings. The plaintiffs claimed 7s per day for the four days they were idle as well asfor the four days they worked.— Judgment was given for the plaintiffs for the *monnt,sued for and costs.—Defendant remarked tbat he was not prepared to pay the money.—Mr Rbys applied for a distraint order, which WHS granted.

ABERY8TWYTH GUARDIANSSAND SUNDAY-CLOSING. At the Monday sitting of Aberystwyth Board of Guardians a memorial in favour of Sunday- closing for England came up for signature, when the Rev J. M. Griffiths, vicar of Llan- iibaugel Geneu'r Glyn, said tbat though he had voted with all his heart for signature when the matter was last before the guardians, lie could not do so again, for no doubt Sunday-closing had been a great curse to the large towns of Wales, particularly Cardiff. Mr Stead had proved that conclusive]}'.—Mr C. M. Williams, Aberystwyth, on the other hand, thought that Sunday-closing had, on the Iwhole, baen a great boon to Wales, though no doubt great abuse had been made of it in the large towns.;He thought that the guardians could conscientiously advocate it. Ha, therefore, gave notice of motion in favour of siamature.

OPPOSITION 4.T0 MR BRYN ROBERTS, M.P. It Is stated that at the forthcoming Genera Election Mr J. Bryn Roberts, M.P. for the Erfion Division of Carnarvonshire, will be op- posed in the Conservative interest by Mr W. Humphreys, of Aberldn, well known in Welsh agricultural circles.

LOSS OF A BRITISH VESSEL. Five Men Drowned. Lloyd's agent telegraphs from Yarmouth*:—■ The British barque Sylvan, from Barbadoes for St. John, struck on Trinity Led ere on Sunday and beeame a total wreck. Five of the crew were 100t. The remainder were landed at Yarmouth.

NATIONAL CYCLING UNION. Meeting at Cardiff. A general meeting of the South Wales Centre of the National Cycling Union was held 011 Monday evening at the Hotel Metropole, Cardiff. Mr W.Young occupied tho chair, supported by the following officials:—Messrs Walter Read (vice-chairman). John Young (official handi- capper). and W. Pedler (hon. sec.); Messrs J. Griggs, R. J. Brind, J. Wood, E. F. Kennard, J. Howell, J. James, C. Sutton, H. Davies, C. Snell. J. Lock, and G. Cane, dele- gates representing the various clubs affiliated to the local centre. A number of cyclists attended as visitors, on the invitation of the delegates. The chief business for consideration was instruct- ing the consuls for the centre what propositions to support and oppose at the meeting of the general council to be held in London on Friday next; Messrs J. Brind; W. Pedler, and J. Young were elected representatives to attend the Council meeting in London on Friday. Correspondence waa read in connection with the suspension of Torriugton (of Cardiff), who was auspendwi by the London authorities, on the re- port of the Bristol Centre, till June 30th. The charge against him was neglecting to forward ius-entrance fee with his entry form on the occa- sum pf the recent sports at Trowbridge.—It was decided to recommend his immediate reinstate- meut, Bristol promising to support the recorn- utenaation. — Communioatjous respecting the WemlMun Shield were ordered tobeifuelonths table.—The usual vot« oi th«g& tenruptted the proceedings.

THE MORGAN GOLD MINE. A DISTRAINT LEVIED. Protest against Royalties, The Press Association understands that tLe question of the execution upon two of Mr Pritohard Morgan's properties near Dolgelley is likely to be brought shortly before the House of Commons, as the hon. member has resisted payment of the law expanses in the gold mine action as a protest against the present system of royalty charges. Mr Pritohard Morgan states that, rather than yield on what he regards Ma. point of principle, he will allow his goods to be sold by the bailiffs who are now in possession. But he warmly resent the idea of a Liberal member being distrained upon at the instance of a Conservative Government as the result of his efforts to develope a new industrv in Wales and of his determination to obtain a judgment from the courts as to the present state of a law, the amendment of which he has long urged. The costs at issue in the action brought against the hon. gentleman by the Attorney-General amount to close upon £ 500. Since the case was decided Mr Morgan has been in almost constant correspondence with the Chancellor of the Ex- chequer, who has repeatedly promised to have the whole subject considered, but not as a condition of the payment of the law costs. Mr Morgan states that during the whole course of the correspondence all his letters to Mr Goschen were official and unreserved, whereas Mr Goschen's letters to him were more or less un- official, and marked "private." But when he remonstrated against this method of conducting the controversy the Chancellor of the Exchequer told him that he could do what he liked with the letters. Mr Morgan, therefore, hopes soon to publish the correspondence. Meantime, be states that in August, 1890, he sent to the Chancellor of the Exchequer a memorial, signed by between 70 and 80 membei-* of Parliament, suggesting that Crown Royalties on gold and silver obtained from private lands in the United Kingdom should be levied in future upon the profits of such mines, and not upon their total product, thus encouraging the owners of sueli lands to give employment to labour. Among the Conservative members who signed this memorial were Lord Henry Bruoe, Sir George Baden Powell, Admiral Mayne, Mr Gray, Sir Roper L-jthbridge, Mr Bartley, Major Rosea, and Mr J. W. Low- ther, now Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. The Chancellor then replied that the subject would once more be carefully considered, and last Session the right hon. gentleman pro- mised to give due weight to any tecommendation* of the mining section of the London Chamber of Commerce, a body which a fortnight ago passed a resolution that it was desirable ia the interests, not on!y of industry, but of the State that Royalties upon all Crown metalliferous mines should be charged on the profits and not on the total product. Mr Morgan states that he has been pressing this subject on the Chancellor of the Exchequer for five or six years, and that he thinks it high time the matter was now brought to an issue. Mr Pritchard Morgan and his Seat. Our London Welsh correspondent, telegraphing last night, says:—Humours are afloat, probably fostered, if not engendered, by the action of the Government in levying execution on the property at Bryntinon for payment of disputable costs in connection with Mr Pntchard Morgan's fight against the system of claiming royalties on pro- duct rather tlutn on profits, that the junior member for Merthyr Tydfil does not intend con- testing the seat at the general election if he is op- posed. I have the very best authority for stating that the intention of withdrawing his candidature in such an event has never crossed the mind of Mr Pritchard Morgan. Having won the seat with so much eclat, and being now on cordial terms of friendship and co-operation with the senior member for Merthyr, he is more determined than ever to hold his seat against aU comers. The vast majority of his electors are in strong sympathy with him, and he has not the smallest doubt of the result of the election. There is a deep feeling on both sides of the House that in the matter of the Government Royalties, Mr Prichard Morgan has baen very harshly treated. I hear this evening that it is the intention of several Walsh members of both parties to ask some pointed questions to-morrow (Tuesday) of the Chancellor of the Exchequer concerning the action of the Government, and it is probable that in the course of a day or two cither on a motion of privilege or in soine other form, the whole questien will be raised in the House. In any case, when the estimates fc-r the Woods and Forests' Department come to be considered on Friday, the point will be thoroughly thrashed out in the discussion on the vote. A statement was published in the South Welti Echo on Monday intimating that there wasa likeli- hood of Mr Alien Upward, barrister-at-lii\v, Cardiff, coming forward as a candidate for the Parliamentary representation of Merthyr in the Labour interest. Mr Upward, in reference to this statement, writes to us as follows:— TO THK EI)ITOP. SIR, -li)e paragraph which appeared under the above heading in yesterday's Soxiiii Wul'.n Echo is inaccurate in many important particular?. I have been more than once approached from different quarters &s to becoming a candidate for the seat, and immediately on see;ug the paragraph as to a Labour candidate I procreded to make inquiries in the proper quartors as to its truth, as, with my woH-kuowri views in favour of Labour repre- sentation, I should, of course, never dream of entering the lists against a Labour candidate, but should, on the contrary, make any candida- ture on my part depend entirely on the will of the Lalxmr party in the constituency, and on that alone. I have bean given definitely to understand, however, that in the present condition of affairs no other Labour candidate is contemplated, and I am now in the hands of those wbo have the best right to decide as to the representation of the borough.—I am, &c., ALLEN UPWARD. 5, Charles-street, Cardiff, March 21st. It is also rumoured at Merthyr that there is some probability that Mr El. C. Lewis, Aberdare, son of Sir W. T. Lewis, will be brought out as a Unionist or Conservative candidate.

IS CARDIFF TO HAVE~A LORD MAYOR P In the House of Commons on Monday, Sir EDWARD REED asked whether the attention of the Home Secretary had been called to the very large increase of population in Cardiff, and to its great commercial importance, as made evident by the census and other official returns, and whether, having regard to the fact that no Lord Mayor exists at present in the Principality, be would consider the advisability of taking the necessary steps for conferring this distinction upon the chief magistrate of the county borough of Cardiff. Mr MATTHEWS said he was aware of the im- portant position Cardiff occupies in respect to size and industry. The Government, however, were not disposed to recconamend the titleof Lord Mayor bemg conferred on the chief magis- trate of Cardiff in view of the superior claims other towns in England advanced.

RADNORSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL At the first meeting of the new County Council for Radnorshire, held at Llandrindod Wells. Lord Ormathwaite, who has filled the chair for the last three years, was unanimously re-elected. The selection of four new aldermen ia tbo place of those retiring by rotation, resulted as under:— Rev Richard Lisle Vena'ules (C.), 24 votes Mr John Powell (L.), 2A votes; Dr Wm. Bowen Davies (C.), 15 votes Mr Heury Prosser Bishop (C.), 14 votes. The following were not elected:— Mr Samuel Charles Evaus-Williams (L.), 9 votes Mr John Williams Vaugoan, jnn. (L.U.), 8 votes; Mr Thomas P. Like (L.), 2 votes. Alderman Charles C. Rogers was elected vice- chairman by 17 votes, against 10 given for Mr Thomas E. Dnggao. A discussion ensued as to the place of meeting, and Alderman Rogers tnoved that the meetings should be held alternately at Knighton and Llandrindod Wells in future, but the adjournment of the debate was carried.

BORROWING POWERS OF CARDIFF CORPORATION. JE500,000 Applied for. At a special meeting of the Cardiff Finance Committee, on Monday, under the presidency of Councillor Brain, a long discussion took place as to the present financial position of thb Corpora- tion, with a view to acqutricg further borrowing powers. A detailed statement of the borrowing powers of the Corporation, exhausted and Ull- exhausted, was laid before the-ccmmittee, and the items were discussed seriatum, with the result that it was deemed necessary that nearly £ 500,000 would be required to cover the overdrafts already obtained from the bank,aud to moet the expenditure about to be in- curred. On tba motion of Councillor Munn, seconded by Councillor White it was ultimately resolved that a sub-committee, consisting of the Chairman (Alderman Sanders), the Deputy- chairman (Councillor Brain), Councillor F. J. Beavan, Councillor Shackell, the Borough Trea- surer, and the Town Clerk, be empowered to pro- ceed to London and ascertain of the London and Westminster Bank the best means and time of raising this £ 500,000, what is thought will be required, thecommittee to furnish a report there- on at a special mooting to be called soon after their return.

SUICIDE OF A STATION-MASTER Mr Cartter, the Coroner, On Mondav received information of the suicide of Mr William Chettle Lucy, the stationmaster at the Lewisham- road Station of the London, Chatham, and Dover Railway. Deceased, it appeared, was out for a walk with his wife on Saturday, when be suddenly ran to a railway bridge, and jumped over the parapet on to the line. AIrs Luoy called for assistance, but the body fvhen reached had been fearfully mangled by a passing train. Letters found upon deceased show that be had applied for a considerable inctease of aaiaiy, which had been refused. Mr Lucy was.a brother to the young soldier Luoy who last summer attempted to murdor his sweetheart in a railway carnage on the Great astern Railway, and who afterwards fatally shot himself.

THZ editor of the Medical Annual altar a care ill examination of Cadbary's Cocoa, pj ououaccs ittoba both a food aud beverage of &e highest quality 14 W0 TOSAOSOVISTS OOMSKNCRAO.—IlW.Guide, 3d •"Xobccopiaets' Opt&tttag Co. 18$. London

NATIONAL INSTITUTIONS I (WALES) BILL I MEETING OF COLLIERS AT MERTHYR. Speech by Mr Alfred Thomas, M.P. A further conference of the colliers' delegates of the Aberdare and Merthyr district was held, on Saturday evening, at the Abermorlais Hall, with reference to the National Institutions (Wales) Bi!L Mr Alfred Thomas, M.P., attended, with the object of explaining the provisions of the BilL Mr P. D. Rees, Aberaman, was elected chair- man, and the other occupants of platform seats, in addition to the hoc. member, were Mr Councillor David Morgan, Aberdare (miners' agent), and Mr J. Thomas, Abcrda.ro (secretary). The CHAXUMAK said he felt exceedingly proud of the position they had placed him iu. Although they were only a few in number, he believed they represented all the collieries in the Merthyr and Aberdare Association of Miners. Mr ALPHED THOSIAS, M.P., whose rising was the signal for prolonged applause, said it; pave him great pleasure at all times to speak upon the National Institutions Bill, and especially to address gentlomen who had taken such warm interest in it as these present bad done. He did not consider it necessary for him to prove that they wanted such a thing as Home Rule for Wales. He believed the desire for Home Rule had prevailed for many years past. There had been a great deal of talk about Home Rule but very little talk about what Home Rule really was, and he thought it was about time to consider what it was. (Hear, hear.) When be first appeared before the constituency he now repre- sented he said he was not only in favour of Home Rule for Ireland, but for England, Scotland, and Wales. It was true at that time the great Home Rule Bill of Mr Gladstone had not ap- peared, and many had a vague and contused idea of what was meant; but after the Bill of Mr Gladstone, people had a grand opportunity of knowing what it did mean. He had taken the people of Wales into his confidence, and had ascertained the opinions of representatives of all sections upon the question of Home Rule, and he now bad a means of informafciori at his hand as to what the people wanted. He referred to the character of legislative assemblies in the United States, Canada, Australia, and elsewhere, and to the powers of veto possessed by some one—the President, or other functionary, as the case might be—and pointed out that by his proposal the President of the National Council of Wales would be a member of the Government. They did hope before that year had passed there would be another Government in power—(applause)— and Mr Gladstone would draw up a list of names and submit them to her Majesty. Well, not im mediately after the election, perhaps, but before the next following election, he did hope to see among the Ministers of the Crown a Secretary of State for Wales. (Hear, hear.) They wanted to have something like a Legislative Assembly to control their own affairs, and the question was how was that to be formed? His proposition was that there should be, first, a District Council (Boards of Guardians, Local Boards, Sanitary Authorities, Burial Boards, School Boards, and other Boards of that description in our District Council), and Conntv Councils with more power than they now had, aud with powers to deal, as at present, with Intermediate Education. He would extend the power of the Couuty Councils, and the National Council should have all the otherpower necessnry to govern the country properly, besides undertak- ing the government of higher education and the government of their colleges. Mr HENKY DAVIKS, Aberamnm, raised a point as to whether there was a division between the Welsh members, and asked if the Bill was to be of a legislative or a if administrative character —(Mr Thomas Both)—and if of a legislative character, how far was the veto intended to go ? Mr ALFRED THOMAS, replying, said it was quite true that some differences of opinion had prevailed, and, possibly would prevail, among the Welsh party in regard to the Bill. Of course they could not expect unanimity, but there was nothing of the nature of a split. As to the National Council of Wales, it would be in the first place administrative it would carry out the administration of the law in Wales, and it would also have the power of passing private Bills—that was as far as he had got it at present. He pointed to the enormous outlay at present attending the passage of even unopposed Bills, which cost £ 12,000, and £ 14-,000 sometimes, and mentioned that it was said the Barry Dock and Railway Bill cost £ 100,000. After Mr Thomas had auswerek several ques- tions, a vote of thanks to the Chairman ooncluded the proceedings. Meeting at Merthyr. On Monday night at the Assembly Rooms of the Coffee Tavern, Merthyr Vale, a meeting of the electors was held under the auspices of the Merthyr Vale Liberal Association (East Glamor- gan Division). Mr Arthur Daniel, Troedyrhiw, presided, and was supported by Mr Alfred Thomas, M.P. for East Glamorgan, who was accompanied by Mr Johnston, Mr W. Abraham, ML P. (Mabon), Rev J. M. Davies, and otbers. accompanied by Mr Johnston, Mr W. Abraham, ML P. (Mabon), Rev J. M. Davies, and others. The secretary of the Association, Mr B. M. Thomas, was present, and tiie attendance wa £ very lar^e. Mr EtAS WILLIASRS proposed, Mr EVAN MADDOCK seconded, and the Rov JJ. D. DAVIES (Bcthania) supported th'ffftlldrefftyimoticm :— This me 4ing hereby records its full and increasing contidenfe in too Liberal party and its illustrious leader. Jir Gladstone, aud rejoioas at the fresh proofs continurily given tli:tt the country is with him in bis endeavour u> bring about Hi-mo Rale for Ireland, Disestablishment a:i<i Disendowment of the Church in and Scotland, and the various other reforms the party is pledged to. Mr Aii'KKD THOMAS, M.P., met with a hearty reception. He said be was going to speak upon only cue question that night-he bad only one question now. He hoped to vote for rnanv when they came up; he hoped to vote on Wednesday for his friend Mabon's Eight Hours' Bill. (Ap- plause.) He hoped to vote for Disestablishment, is' and every question that affected them and affected Wales. But his question was the National Institutions Bill. The CnAiiiiiAX s<dd he was sore Mr Thomas would carry away with him the hearty good wishes of everyone for the success of his measure, and that when he introduced to the next Parlia- ment an amended Bill, success would crown his efforts, as it always did a good cause. Mr W. AEUAKAK, M.P.. gave an excellent speech in Welsh, contending that the Principality was entitled to a separate legislature. Mr Ra.ikea —peace be to his remains for all that-maintaiiied in a discussion in the Rous." of Commons that they were not a nation, and upon that ground unhesitatingly said they had no right to separate legislation. The speaker stontly argued, however, that they were a nation, and as such were entitled to recog- nition. He spoke approvingly of Mr Thomas's Bill, and pointed out that what constituted the right for Wales to have a separate legis- lature wac genealogy, country. and language. The CHAIRMAN said be could not help express- ing his appreciation of the very able way in which Mr Abraham had touched upon the National question and the Eight Hours' ques- tion. He had never heard the latter question more fairly and strongly put than they had that night. (Applause.) The motion was carried unanimously. The :<.n:i.1 vote of thanks to the chairman con- c«:*3od the meeting.

THE CHARGE AGAINST A "STRONG" MAN. At Clerkenwell sessions on Monday, Sir P. Edlin, in charging the grand jury, referred to the case of the strong man Sainpson, who is accused of stealing jewellery, valued at JS300, from a young married woman, named Margaret Bernstein, ar.d said be thought there was sufficient on the depositions to justify the jury in returning a true bill. Mr Paul Taylor, for the prosecution, subsequently applied to the court to discharge the witnesses' recognizances, as Mrs Bernstein was now of opinion that Sampson had no felonious intention of stealing the diamonds. Further, he (Mr Taylox) having read the depositions, believed that it would be impossible for a jury to convict. Sir Peter Edlin said be would adjourn the case until next Sessions, but he should direct that the papers in connection with the charge be laid before the Public Prosecutor. Mr Gill applied for bail for Sampson, which was immediately gracted,

GHASTLY DISCOVERY AT BRYNMAWR. About noon on Sunday sow, belonging to Thomas Peach, Well-street, Brynmawr, was dis- covered with the dead body of a male child in its mouth,going in the direction of its owner's house. Dr Browne, who was promptly on the scene, was of opinion that the chiid was about a week old, and had been dead two or three days. At the direction cf the police the sow, after haviner been penned up some time, was let loose, and made its way without a halt to the yard of the lodging- house known as the Commercial and Salva- tion" lodging-bouse, and began rummaging an old,disusc-d boiler. It is supposed that the body was deposited in this Ijoiler. The body had been terribly mutilated by the animal, and was removed to the police-station to await a post- mortem examination and coroner's inquest.

SIR MORELL MACKENZIE'S WILL Probate of will, dated 15th February. 1891, has been granted, and duty paid on £21,953, value of personal estate of Sir Morell Mackenzie, M.D., late of 19, Harley-slreet, London, who died last month. To Lady Mackenzie Sir Morell be- queaths the bulk of his property in trust for her life. The residuary estate to be ia trust for all the testators children. Amongst the bequests is a 20-mark gold piece to his daughter Olga., being one of the first coins struck in the reign of Frederick the Noble.

FIRE AT A COLLIERY. Eight Ponies Burnt to Death. A telegram from Chester-le-Street Rtates that the whole of the stacks and sheds at Peltonfell Colliery were destroyed by fire last night, and that eight ponies stabled on the premises were burnt to death. A later report states that the fire is believed to be the work of an incendiary.

SERIOUS FI RE. Afire broke out on Friday night at theCommer- cial Cotton Mill, Great Harwood, near Blackburn, doing damage estimated at £ 5,000. A large number of bonds are «lg9 thrown out of eamloy- uxenfc -v- — -• i !B.>

THE STEEL TRADE OF SOUTH WALES & MONMOUTHSHIRE. A Glance at its Condition. [FIIOM A TRADE COilE KSPOJ* DEXT. ] The steel trade of South Wales and Monmouth- shire presents one or two features which call for attention. To say that, in the general sense of tha word, it is, and has been depressed, is to affirm what most people will agree is true. And yet, while the price per ton of steel raiis and bars has gone down apparently to zero," some works are very busily employed, and others are languishing in idleness. Then, again, work for the st#el workers is more regular at some places than at others. Thus, Cyfarthfa is very well employed, and the puddling furnaces are about to be restarted; aud at Dowlais work for a larger number of iron and steel workers is scarcely less regular. At Blaenavon and Tredegar #and Ebbw Vaie this regu- larity is somewhat less observable. Steel-making at Rhymney, as most of us know, is observed more in the breach than in the observance, but on the whole it may be contended the steel work* of South Wales and Monmouthshire are in better working trim than any set of works in other parts of the country—a fact which those of us who are concerned may make the most use of, aa a matter of consolation. Although the times are not so good as they were, however, it seems the mechanics at the steelworks consider that for the day work they are called upon to perform there should be a better rate of pay, and that a diminution of their wages under ttie Sliding-scaie in the same manner as affects the steelworkers (or tonnage men) operates to their prejudice. By the provisions of the scale—which was agreed upon in September, 1890, and applies to all the workmen at the six works, except tho?e whose wages are governed by the colliers' Siiding-<scaie—the clause relating to the standard reads as follows :_U That the standard minimum rate of wages be those paid at the Monmouthshire and South Wales works in March, 1889; tha.t no reduction of wages be made when the combined average net selling price of steel rails. 401 bs per yard and upwards, and steel tin bars is £4 5s per ton net on trucks at the above-mentioned makers' works, or below, and that the maximum rate of wages be paid when the combined average price of steel raols, 4Q!bs per yard and upwards, and steel tin bars is £ 6 10s par ton net on trucks at the above- mentioned works, when the combined average price of rails and bais are from L4 5s to B6 10s per ton at the rate of 1 per cent. for every shilling advance, or reduction, in the combined average net selling price in trucks at the above-mentioned works, and when the combined average prices are from L5 10s to L6 lOs per ton, at the rate of per cent, for every shilling advance or reduction, and that all ensto^ns >n vogue at tbe above- mentioned works in March, 18S9, remain ill force." The unfortunate part of it is that since- the introduction of the scale, the condition of trade has necessitated considerable reductiona, and at present the rate, which at the commence- ment was 22% per cent, above the standard, bat gone down to only 4 per cent. above the standard, whilst a declaration of audit is pending to which there is but little reason to look for improvement. There are abort 7,500 iron and steel workers engaged at the Dowlais.. Cyfarthfa, Blaenavon, Ubbw Vale, Tredegar, and Rhymney Works, and 2,500 mechanics. Taking them through and through, I am informed the stselworkcrs are doing fairly well, aud that by rough computation their average earnings upon tonnage may be set down at about 30s weekly; but smiths and fitters, through the reductions upon their day-work, have come to a very sorry pass, and the mechanic's wage amounts upon an average to not more than about 13s. That is where the shoe pinches," and it is owing to such circumstances that a strike has occurred among the Ebbw Vale boiler-makers, as referred to the other day at the Merthyr Conference, and that a movement was started with the object of giving notice to terminate the scale. The mechanics were, of course, in the minority, but they submitted that their claims ought to be con- sidered, and a ballot was taken of the whole of the workmen at the several works, with the result that the majority agreed to give six months'notice on the 1st Mat-oh to end HMscak, the great nl.ijaot, no doubt, being to enter into a thorough discus- sion with the employers on the points at issue. This nutice is now running, and it remains to be seen whether the joint representatives of the employers and employed will" succeed in agreeing amicably to re-oonstitute ttie scale in such a manner as will meet what the mechanics consider the better equity of the case. It is said that the mechanics, if they are to be regulated by the seals, would like to have the standard raised by 20 per eent. as far as they are concerned, and their argument appears to be a perfectly valid one, since they point out that their services, for such number of them ae are engaged, are quite as valuable now as before the scale came into operation, especially seeing that the tonnage men have chances of improving their actual earnings which the day men have not. It is expected that the meeting of the Sliding-acale Committee will be held shortly to ascertain the result of the last audit. a.

THE CHURCHES. It has been decided by the committee of tlJe Bishop Morgan memorial that the unveiling ot the monument erected in the St. A^aph Cathedral Churchyard, in memory of the deceased bishop, shall take place on Friday, the 22nd April. The report of Libanus Oaivuiistic Methodist Church, Pontaa-dulais, has come to hand. The collections amount to about £ 3 8g per member. The sum of JB406 5s 9d was collected during the year towards clearing the chapel debt. Under the care of the Rev David Phillips the cause at Libanus prospers exceedingly. Last week Mr Jenkyn James, of Porth, an ex- student of Brecon College, was orda.ined at West Hook and Middle Hill, near Haverfordwest. Nearly all the ministers of the As-sociation were present, and, in spite of the weather, the dace was crowded. Mr James was presented with a purse of gold from his mother church at Porth. Wimbledon Congregational Church (Rev D. Bloomfield James, pastor) reports 264 members, and the receipt last year for all purposes of £ 1.939 9s 9d. At the recent annual meeting of the Stroud Green Congregational Church it was report 3d that, though it had been formed but four years, the membership already amounted to 200. The Sunday-school has above 300 scholars, of whom more than SO have passed 15 years of age. The entire cost of the hall and of land fcr the intended church, amounting to £5,000, has beea met, the congregation having raised on an average £1,000 a year for various purpose* Since the Rev E. Griffith-Jones entered on the pastorate the attendance has increased to an extent which has led to the commencement of the requisite effort to erect the church CKl the fine site reserved for the purpose. The late Mr Alexander Robson, of Gosforth, Xewcastle-on-Tyne, was a working man. and a number of the Primitive Methodist Cliumfl. By patient industry he secured what enaoled him to leave the following sums of money to the objects named below. To the Hmc-a í-lob- son Memoral Chapel at Gosforth, B519 13> 2l/sd to the Leighton Memorial Chape!, Heaton« t road, Newcastle on Tynt, £ 167 4s 11V>4 to ttie Primitive Methodist Missionary Society, £ 125 Zi Id to the Primitive Methodist New African Mission, £ 76 9s 9d to the Primitive Methodist Orphanage, jE96 9s 9.1 and to the British and Foreign Bible Society. £ 44 Is. Among the Baptist Churches the following changes have occurred :—The Rev A Phillips, of Wastage, has accepted the pastorate of Warw*plf- street Chapel, Leamington the Rev Price Williams has been recognised as pastor of the church at Hinckley; Mr George Buckley, of Manchester College, has accepted the pastorate of New-street Church, Hanley, and will be shortly ordained tbo Rev J. Parker, M.A., has entered 011 the pastorate of the Church at llford. The centenary of the Boptist Missionary Society is to be celebrated not only by special gatherings at the end oi May at Nottingham, Leicester, and Kettering, those three towns being historically memorable in the formation of the society, but also by a series of national gatherings in London in October. The following changes in the Presbyterian churches have occurred :—The Rev T. Mortimer Green ha.s resigned the charge of the English church at Carmarthen, having been ap;>ointed registrar and secretary of the University Collso of Walesi (Aberyrtwyth); the Rev Hugh Fal. coner, ALA., of Edinburgh, has been callod to the pastorate of the ohurch at Cambridge tits Rev David Eades, of Aston Tyrrold, has beea called to succeed the Rev W. Ai-mstrong minister of Silverhill Church the Rov Evan a Jones, of Llanderdoch, has accepted the pas- torate of the Welsh church at Blaenanerch, Car- 'kn diganshire the Rev R. Morris, of Edinburgh University, will enter upon the charge of the English and Welsh churches at Shrewsbury ||| Juno. The following changes in Congregational pasto- rates have taken place :—The Rev Elias Daviea has closed his pastorate at Brymbo, having be- come minister of the Welsh Church at Chester the Rev N. Pascoe, of Slad, has become minister of the church at Whitchurch, Herefordshire the Rev E. T. H. Allen, of Whaliey-road Tabernacle, A coring ton, has accepted the pastorate of Hill- gate, Church, Stockport; the Rev E. Hall, of Gorleston, has become minister of the church at Poole; the Rev Jonathan Roebuck, of Dundee has been elected pastor of Arley Church, Brittott the Rev F. Hutt, of Rusk in g ton, has been called to the pastorate of the church at Creak* the Rev T. T. Phillips has been recognized as minister of Bethel Church, Festiniog.

GENEROUS OFFER BY MISS TALBOT. Miss Talbot, of Margam Abbey, has intimat«f to the Margam Local lioard her intention 111 carry out a complete scheme of drainage few ths districts of C wmbrombil and Groes, Margwm j further, that she will provide a water supply fot the said districts from the reservoir at Cunn- brotnbil.

Out of 48 councillors on the Cardigan County Council 23 are fresh men, but two out of the 23 went out as Aldermen and returned as councillors, one being the redoubtable Radical Churchman, Mr Daniel Jones, of Llanon, who captured ths seat which he failed to take three years ago. Ia the appropriation of seats on committees, mem- bers were chosen from every section of ths straggling county proportionately, the basis of appropriation being the population. The Tories were given a full minority representation on every committee. The smooth manner in which the difficult matter of proportionate sele^ion uf committee members was performed was to the tact of tin* Liberal whips, Messrs John M. Howell, Aherayron, and D. C. Roberts, Abecnt- NTVthr -•