The Cardiff Times

SOUTH WALES COAL TRADE. Rhondda House Ceal Miners'Association. The usual delegate meeting of the Rhondda, Glyncorrwg, and Ynysybwl House Coal Miners5 Association was held at the Washington Hotel, Forth. Mr J. Jones, Penrbiw, was in the chair, and Mr 8. Rees, Bwllfa, in the vice-chair. The following resolutions were passed :— That we compliment our agent (Mr Morgan W ecks) apon his grand success with reference tu the compen- sation which he succeeded in obtaining for th« relatives of the workmen killed at the Meiros Colliery explosion. That the Association shall support the two workmen ef Tyntila by engaging. solicitor only, and that the Association authorise their agent not to pay any money until ho had consulted the Works Committee at Geily and should the case not terminate to-d8.Y, the Association pledges itself to further support them. That wa approve of the action of the agont in advis- tag the workmen of Lanlay Colliery to tender notices to terminate contracts. Mr Morgan Weeks (the agent) having presented t mxjrt with regard to the Llwyncelyn strike, the following resolution was passed :— That this meeting deems it essential that the work- 8Wn or the Coedcae Colliery should meet the agent M soon *s possible, ;>nd that they be hereby informed that no one but the agent is. empowered to consult in any way whakver with the employees as to a settle- ment. Also that we protest against any persons com- mencing work at the colliery previous to the agent e, £ L-ially reporting the strike ?,t an end. Miners' Organisation in South Wales. At the monthly meeting of the Rhondda House Coal Associaaion, held at Perth, the suggestions with reference to improved organisation contained in a circular issued by the representatives of the workmen at the Sliding Scale Committee and Federation Council were discussed, and it was ultimately decided that the matter should be referred to the various collieries, with instructions that they should forward their decisions to the agent in time for the Joint Conference on the 11th April.—In accordance with a motion agreed to at the last meeting the various collieries had had under consideration the advisability or othei\ WM9 of joining the Miners' Federation of Grear 5 Britain, and the voting was'as follows :—Neutral, • 7 collieries; for, 3; against, 4. Under the circum- stances it was decided to refer the matter back to tho collieries.

CONDiTiOfToF THE TIN-PLATE TRADE, A Serious Outlook. Below xv3 publish a communication fraught with serious import to all engaged in the tin-plate trade. Probably no one is better qualified to speak with authority on the future cf this great Welsh industry than Mr J. H. Rogers, who, in addition to being managing partner of the exten- sive South Wales Works, Llanelly, and the Cwmbwrla Works, Swansea, is also chairman of the Welsh Tin-plate Makers' Association. For this reason the views expressed by him in a letter which wo reproduce below have a special signi- ficance. Tho letter, which was received on Tuesday by Mr Thomas Phillips, general secre- tary of the Tin-plate Workers Union, reads as follows :— "March 21st, 1892. Mr T. Phillips, Secretary of the Tin-plate Workers Association, Llanelly. Dear Sir,—I have for some time wished to lay before the Executive of your Union, and, through them, the body of the men, what I believe to be the very serious position of the tin- plate trade, but I have felt reluctant to do so owing to the official position which I hold as chairman of the Tm-plate Makers' Association. I, feel however, that the time has come when anyone who sees such a body of men as those employed in the tin-plate trade drifting—I believe, through a want of knowledge—into a de- plorable stato of want and distress, should not re- main silent if be believes he can do anything to mitigate the calamity which he sees before a section, at any rate, of those employed in the trade. I write, not as chairman of the Association, but, as one who wishes to minimise, as far as possible, the distress and privation which I f«ar must come to those employed in the finishing departments of the tin-plate trade owing to the determination of the governments and manufacturers of various coun- tries that they will no longer be dependent upon this country tor their supply of tin-plates. I will not enter into details at the present moment, but simply point out how the pig iron, steel rail, machinery, and other trades have loft this country so far as supplying the requirements of those countries which now consume most of our tin-plates; and there is no reason why tin- plates should not follow the same natural law. As far as tho men employed in the mills are con- cerned, I feel no anxiety. If black plates are sent to other countries to be coated, as I think they will be largely in the near future, our millmen will havo to make them, and I do not believe that any machinery can be constructed to reduco their labour and if plates are large! made m America, it will be no great hardship for them to go cut there. In the finishing departments I fear the cause is far different. Where or how the tinmen and washmen are to obtain work is a matter of grave anxiety to me. No one having a knowledge of machinery and of the tinning of black plates, and the ingenuity of our American cousins, can seriously doubt that shortly the work will be done automatically without either tinman or washman. We shall have to adopt such ma- chinery and all the most economical processes or we shall not even be able to hold our own in such markets as India, Australia, and China. It appears to me that our best chance of re- taining neutral markets is for men and masters to join in improving and economising in the manu- facture of tin-plates in every way they can. It is unpleasant for us to have to expend our money on new machinery, and it is equally distressing, or more so, for men to find their means of earning a comfortable livelihood leaving them. But it is the inevitable result of the advance of civilisation and education, and the shortening of the hours of work, restricdone of make, and advance in the price of raw materials; and now no choice is left to us but either to manufacture by the most economical processes, or to allow ourselves to be beaten in the race, to the ruin of all the departments of our works. "As I have already said, I am not uneasy about the future of the millmen, but I do hope that for their own sakes and that of their families the men in the finishing departments will seriously consider their prospects, and in what callings they can earn a livelihood other than the ones in which they are now employed. I hope that your executive and the men will take what I write in the spirit in which it is written, and if they wish to meet our committee to consult upon matters relating to our trade, I have no doubt that our committee will be very pleased to meet them. You are at liberty to make what use you like of this letter, but you must understand that I write as a private individual, and not as chair- man of the Makers' Association.—Yours faith- fully, H. ROGERS." General Depression Existing. The introduction of the McKinley Tariff in the United States on the first of last July, by means of which the duty on imported tin-plates from this country was doubled, has bad a more inimical effect on the tin-plate industry of the Principality than it was generally imagined it would have produced. The trade to-day is admitted uni- versally to be almost in an unprecedented state of inactivity and stagnation. Prices are exceedingly low, and, according to several masters who have been interviewed by our reporter, do not even cover the cost of production. Since the pro- longed stoppage last year, prices, which left a fair margin of profit, have been in vogue, but of late they have been on the downward grade, until by to-day tin-plate makers get from 5s to 6s per box less than they received a few months ago. A well known manufacturer, a couple of days ago, declared that the prices offered per box at present leave no margin whatever for profits, and that trade was generally dull. Although in- quiries were on tho increase, he said, the prices offered were exceedingly low. Stocks in the States had, of course, greatly diminished, but owing to the high cost of tin-plates the canning people there had substituted cheaper commodi- ties, such as wooden boxes, glass bottles, papier mache, &0., to preserve goods instead of using tinned cases as formerly. A revival was, how- ever, expected in tho course of a month or two, and as America could not supply plates for her consumers, the demand for Welsh plates would, of course, be greatly increased. Dwelling upon this phase of the question, the interviewed maker said he had been informed from a very reliable source that there was very little prospect of the McKiuley tariff being repealed, inasmuch as the Americans wanted to give a fair chance to build works and turn out plates in their country, and considerable time would be required to enable them to do so. He was not aware of any great progress having been made in this direction so far, and denied that the plates which were now being manufactured were of an inferior quality. Reference being made to the advisability of opening new markets in the face of the danger which was possible to the industry owing to the action of the Americans, the interviewed gentleman said that he did not know of anything being done towards opening such markets by the masters. This they certainly ought to do, and he suggested the desirability of the makers forming themselves into a chamber, and deputing a few experienced gentlemen to in- troduce tin-plates for canning and other purposes in Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and other parts of the globe. Another thing which he thought was necessary was that the masters and mAn should co-operate to produce as cheap a tin-plate as possible, so as to give no inducement to the Yankees to erect works. To effect this, however, coal, steel bars, and even wages should be reduced; but the improbability of the men consenting to the latter being pointed out, a reply was made that unless the men agreed to some sort of a reduction—to enable their masters to have a slight profit—they would be compelled by the depression, provided it continued, to do so, as the works could not possibly be kept going under the present circumstances. The Union and the Dipping Question. Considerable feeling has been aroused in the trade upon the dipping question, and the mani- festo which was published last week by Mr Lewis Richards, Blaina, the president of the Union, forbidding the holding of the demonstration of the Melyncrythan tin-plate workers next Satur- day at Neath,being the day appointed to hold the half-yearly Council meeting. We believe that the president has conferred with the two vice-presi- dents (Messrs Edward Howe, Aberavon, and John Griffiths, Ystalyfera) and the general secre- tary (Mr T. Phillips), as a result of which the Council has been postponed for a short time with the object of allaying the feeling which the matter has given rise to. A meeting of the Old Castle Tin-house Branch, Llanelly, was held on Saturday, and a resolution was passed supporting the Melyn men in their effort to obtain threepence per box for dipping, and declaring their intention to be present at next Saturday's demonstration. It may be interesting to know that this question does not affect the trade generally, but only about U works, and perhaps about 80 parsons, most of whom are youths, all tcld. Dipping prevails only at two of the 10 works, comprising 45 mills in the Neath district, vis., the Melyn Works, Neath, and the Eagfe Works, Briton Ferry. The men at the Melyn Works have been idle for many months owing to a strike arising from the dipping question, the masters having asked the men to work at 2d instead of 3d. This, however, they refused to do, and were supported by the Executive. Hence the strike. A resolution was also passed at the Council meet- ing held at Newport in 1890 that the "trade should go in for a general price of threepence for dipping, the price for which, we believe, varied from a penny to twopence. The question has not, however, been taken up by the trade generally, but it is expected that it will giye rise to an animated discussion at the next Conncil. Tha Executive have conferred with the Masters' Association upon the matter, but we understand that the latter would not for a moment counten- ance the proposed increase. It is not generally known that there are only about 11 works in the trade where "dipping" plates is in vogue. Fcr instance, it does not exist at any works in Llanelly. There is not a little division amongst the men with regard to tho proposal, as in some Cases it will mean an increase of 100 and more per cent. Amongst other matters on the agenda is a proposal that something. should be done to prevent the exportation of the black plates from this country to America, and that the Melyn men be supported for the 3d for dipping. The Afan District On Saturday afternoon the committee of the Afan district of the Union met at the Victoria Institute, Port Talbot. A discussion took place as to the advisability of the district taking part In the proposed Neath demonstration. The feeling of the meeting was not against the demonstration, bat against the date fixed for the ttolding ot tb» MKfce, it i8 1ftU. to ttt» trade that thi district is in sympathy with the Melyn mon. Ultimately the following resolution Was agreed to:— That this meeting, visning to uphold the dignity of tha officials of the Tin-plate Workers' Union, re- fuses to have anything to do with the Neath demonstration on the day of the General Council, believing that no tangible benefit will accrue from thi same. Lively Meeting at Neath. A meeting of tho tin-plate workers of the Neath district was held at the Vale cf Neath Arms on Tuesday evening, under the presidency of Mr Philemon Rees. There was a large attendance, and the proceedings throughout wen of a most excited character.—Thj "President of the Execu- tive Committee said they were met to discuss a trad'j question, and that thj cjmmittee wars prepared to abide by th5 deci- sion of the trade upon the matter. The case of the Melyn Works should be dealt with on its merits, as it was not on all fours with other works. -A long discussion of a somewhat personal character took place, Mr Saunders inquiring whether in the event of the proposed demonstration being abandoned, the council meeting would be held at Neath on Saturday next. Mr Richard and Mr Phillips replied that a circular had been sent out postponing the meeting, and it would not be possible to hold the meeting on the date in question. Several other workmen spoke at length condemn- ing the action of the president, whereupon Mr Phillips interposed that what the president had done was with the full cansent of his fellow- officers of the Executive Committee.—The meet- ing broke up in confusion, no resolution being come to.

THE CARDIFF BUILDING TRADE DISPUTE. Conference between Masters and Men. On Tuesday evening a Conference was held between representatives of the masters and of the men onsraged in the various departments of the Cardiff building trade at the Angel Hotel, Cardiff, when the various questions as to wages, hours of labour, and other iratters at present in dispute, and which have already been pub- lished, were discussed at length. Alderman David Jones presided, and there was a large attendance. The conference was conducted with closed, doors. Every question in dispute was discussed at length, eliciting: a plethora of argument on both sides, but without any satisfactory results. No agreement was arrived at with respect to any of the proposals, and the con- ference terminated with the understanding that both masters and men would endeavour to think over the arguments adduced with a view of modifying the claims on either side, arrange- ments having been entered into for holding another conference at a date not yet fixed. Both the representatives of the masters and of the men appeared to be in good spirits, and though for the time being they have remained firm to their original claims, it is believed that con- cessions will have to be made on each side before any settlement of the dispute can be looked for.

A SWANSEA SECRETARY IN TROUBLE. Alleged Extensive Embezzlement. John Morris Bowen (55), Westnold, Sussex, wa? charged—before Mr Aid Phillips—at the Mansion House on Wednesday, with embezzling the money of the English Crown Spelter Company, Limited. Mr Leopold Goldberg defended. In opening the case for the prosecution, Mr Blanchard Wontner stated that the company's works were at Swansea and the mines in Italy. The company was originally formed out of the business of Messrs Richardson and Co., mine owners, Swansea, in whose service the prisoner had been as secretary. When the new company was formed in 1883 the prisoner was taken over by them in the same capacity, and twelve months later, so much confidence was reposed in him and such was his knowledge of the com- pany's business, that be was transferred to London to take charge of the London business, for not only was he the secretary, but he was virtually the manager. Since then the prisoner had abused the confidence placed in him, and had used his position to rob the comoany to a very large extent. The matter was cfiscovered in this way. Last year the prisoner absented himself from the office of the company without leave, but on the ground of ill-health he went to Italy, and did not return until the commencement of the present year. During his absence, how- ever, matters arose which necessitated an examina- tion of the books from January last. He was called to give an explanation of alfairs which had been discovered. The company transacted all other sales through Messrs Roberts and Co., metal brokers, Gracechurch-street, and it had be:-n the practice of the company, when they required money, to draw upon Messrs Rogers and Co. for x:2,000, £3,000, or £4,000, according to the sum required, but before this was done it was necessary for the directors to pass a resolution authorising the prisoner to do it. At the end of the month there would be a settle- ment of the account in the usual way. All cheques were signed by ono of the directors and countersigned by the prisoner, who seemed to have adopted a course which enabled him to take large sums of money, aud it had been found that he had been guilty of irregulari- ties, to say the least of them, to tho extent of £6,000 or £7.000 in one year. He seemed to have gone from time to time to Messrs Rogers and Co., and to have ob- tained from them cheques for comparatively small amounts, stating that they wero to pay current, accounts. Messrs Rogers and Co., believing that the prisoner represented the company, handed them to the prisoner, who paid them over into his own bank- ing account. He intended to go into one case that day, but on a future occasion other charges would be preferred. This one case was a fair example of the others. The company had an agent at Bayonne 'named Capt. Leeson, and on the 10th of August last the prisoner went; to Messrs Rogers and Co. and obtained a cheque for £100, stating that it was for him. With regard to the cheque, the prisoner undoubtedly paid a number of the notes which he received from it into his own banking account. The next day the prisoner presented a letter for Captain Leeson, asking fur a remittance of j&50 to the chairman of the company. Mr Pontifex. and ob- tained his authority for a cheque for Messrs Rogers and Company. This second cheque he forwarded to Captain Leeson.—Evidence was given, and the prisoner was remanded.

SWANSEA AND THE RHONDDA COALFIELD. Agitation for Direct Communication. -A-t the Drill Hall, Swansea, on Tuesday cven- a great mass meeting was held in support of Bill now being^ promoted in Parliament by the Rhondda and Swansea Bay Company with the object of securing powers to construct a line from Briton Ferry to Swansea, and tnus obtaining an independent railway between Swansea and the Rhondda Coai- fields. In the unavoidable absence cf the Mayor (who is in London watching the Swansea Water Bill), Alderman Jones presided, and sun- porting him were, amongst others, Mr Daniell (High Sheriff), Aldermen Freeman, Martin, Rocke, Lewis, Pike, and Monger Councillors W. Lewis, Bradford, and Rosser Messrs R. D. Burnie, Mock, J. Livingston, J. Dixon, S. Thomas, J. Fox, A. P. Steeds, S. Thomas, J. Dixon, and P. Yorath. At the outset Alderman Monger read the following letter from Mr I Dillwyn, M.P. :My dear sir,-I have your note of yesterday's date, and much regret to say I have engagements for Tuesday next which cannot be put off. and which will prevent me from attending the meeting at the Drill-hall that evening with regard to tho Rhondda and Swansea Bay Railway Bill. It is a private Bill, and I don't know that -,t-can in any way either assist or reutrd its progress through the House, and I may say I have never, in any shape or form, taken any step in opposition to it.—Behove me, yours truly, L. L. Diilwyn." (Loud cheers.) A telegram was read from the Mayor, in which he wished the meeting success. The CHAIRMAN then opened the proceedings, saying that Swansea had roused itself at a lat", hour, but it must allow no obstacle to prevent the realisation of its hope to make Swansea, as great a coal shipping centre as Cardiff and Barry. Mr LIVINGSTON proposed :— That. this moeHHg of the County Borough of the Port of Swansea hereby agrees to petition Parliament in favoui. of the Rkpndda ancl Swansea Bay Railway Bill, believing that a direct and independent line oi railway between Swansea and the Bhonada vein of coalfields is absolutely vital to the prosperity and due develop- mClJt. of the districts uffectfid, and neceo.surv for tlio convenience of passenger j raffle in connection with the locpdities named, and that this meeting instructs its cliairman to sign the same petition to Parliament. He said he had no doubt coal would be shipped very largely, to the extent of two or three million tons a-year, but for the action of the Great Western Company, which, by its pro- hibitive rates, crippled Swansea's coal trade. He had received several letters from colliery owners on this point. One was from Nixon's Merthyr Company, which said that the rates to Swansea shewed a difference of 7d per ton against Swansea in comparison with Cardiff, and that was what thoy had to quote extra for Swansea shipments, lu addition to that, the transfer charges from dock to dock wexe most iniquitous. The owners ot the Fernhill Colliery wrote saying the difference against Swansea from that colliery was 5^d a ton, and that practically prohibited business. The owners added that if the Bill were secured, and the rutes made the same as to Cardiff they could ship large quantities of coal at Swansea at present sent to Cardiff and Newport. The speaker went on to say that the Bill was just, and they meant to have it,, for they had suffered long enough from the Great Western Railway Company. Alderman MAKTIN seconded. He showed how Cardiff had gone on by leaps aud bounds, and pointed out that this was entirely due to the ship- ment of Rhondda coal by means of inde- pendent lines such as Swansea was seeking, for Swansea was handicapped on all hands by the Great Western-Railway, which was strangling the port like a huge octopus, while if the Bill now sought were passed Swansea might have equal pro.-perity with Cardiff. Mr ANGEL, representing the Ocean Company, pointed out how the Rhondda coal shipments from Swan-sea had decreased from 450.000 tons in 1887 to 91,000 in 1891, and urged that the-only way to stop this Was Wy insisting on he indepen- dent Commission desired. Mr STREns having spoken, the resolution was carried unanimously. Mr R. D. BUENIE, who was received with enthusiasm, moved:— That this meeting of the inhabitants of "Swansea hereby agree to forward to Mr Dillwyn, M.P., the petition m favour of the Riionddji anii'Sivansea Bay Railway, earnestly hoping the hou. member .-rill «ive it itis powet rul po:or.:d support, and further asks"the Welsh members of Parliament to individually support the prayer of the Bill. He said^ great as had been the advantages of many scuemes passed for the benefit of Swansea, there had been nothing like this for years and years. Referring to, Mr Dillwyn, he was glad to say the bon. gentleman was heartily with them— (cheei's}—rvud he was at a loss to understand whv rumours wore about that he was going to oppose the Bill. lie had, in fact, already signed a peti- tion and presented it on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce. (Cheers.) Mr MONGER, in seconding, said if Mr Dillwyn was not against them, how was it his name was backing the Great Western Bill ? (Cheers.) If he could give a satisfactory explanation to that perplexity of purposes, no one would be more glad than himself. Mr Dillwyn must remember that he was not tn Parliament to place his con- stituents in a position subservient to the Great WestornRRilway. (Cheers.) Aid. FKJCESIAN supported, expressing his con- fidence that Mr Diilwyn was in full symoathy with them. Councillor David Jones and Mr W. Harris having also supported, the motion was carried unanimously. meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to tha chairman.

FUNERAL OF LADY HAMILTON. On Tuesday afternoon the funeral took place in London of Lady Marianna Augusta Hamilton, widow of Sir James John Hamilton, C.B., Bart, The service was conducted by the Very Rev S. Goulburn, late Dean of Norwich (an old personal friend of the deceased lady), in the chapel at Ivensai-green, after which the remains were deposited in the catacombs. There were no flowers by special request. The chief mourners were Colonel Sheffield Hamilton. Grace, ,nephew of the deceased, Mr Reginald Somers STorke, and Mr Hamilton Hoare, and a in on g those present were the Right lIon. yjscount Hereford, Mr Moore, Mr John Probyn, ML- W. St. George, Captain Hamilton, Mr Hubert Probyn, Mr Wilfred Probyn, General Lyttleton Aunesley. Colonel Lyle, R.A., Sir F. if Tf'E rFiP Algernon Bachurst, M 1a lurst> the Hon. Alfred Curzon, ]V r Vy a ter do Lacy, the Hon. Robert Devereux, Mr xurnest Bower, Mr Douglas, Eyre, Mr Fane, Mr J. Worth [ngton. Colonel Montagu Browne, Mr James ihomas, Mr Henry W. Hoare, the Itev R. Xeny Thompson, &c. At the same hour D^moria\ service was held at Llanybri, Llan- sfcepnau, and Fishguard churches in South Wales, where tho deceased was universally beloved.

J! PONTYPRIDD- LIBERAL CLUB. Annual Dinner. The first annual dinner of the Pontypridd and District Liberal Club was held on Monday even- ing at tho iNew Inn Hotel, Pontypridd, when about 150 guests of both sexes sat down to an excellent repast, served by the hostess, Mrs Miles. Advantage was taken of the occasion by the members to entertain, in honour of the recent Liberal victory, the two new county councillors for the town, Mr Hopkin Smith Davies and Mr William Spickett. and they were accorded the seats of honour on the right and left of the cnairman, Mr James Roberts, Treforest, the president of the Club. .Coedpenmaen (the chairman of the klub Committee), occupied tho vice-chair. Among those present were Mrs lI. S. Davies and tne Misses Davies, Mrs Roberts and Miss Maud Roberts (raft Vale House), Mrs W. Thomas (Cocdpsnmaen) A'.uemian and Mrs W. H. Morgan (lorest House), Alderman Aaron Davies (Pontlottjn), Alderman J. Jones-Griffith (Peny- graig) ConnoiHor and Mrs Morgan ThomL ( nrd M GoU,nCA1l!o1' R'chard Lewis (Tony- pandy), Mr and Mrs R. A. Lewis (The Grove), Mi and ityrs vV. Jones (Gellideg), tha Rev W. I. ftr m Smythe, the Rev W. ^TlrS1' M^erry Williams, Mr nF \J! /r forest), Mr and Mrs W. Tno.nas (Gra.gwen_place).Mr and Mrs W. Williams (Avvmor House), Mr and Mrs Kuner, Mi D. Ainott and Mrs Arnott, Mrs T. S. Jones ( otrTi M i1\iind^Mr;3 T- Jones (Coedpen- Hughes (Gelhdeg Villas), Mi and Mrs R. Rogers, Mrs Frances, the n'ltfw&M Miss JonPa(TheGrove), Mrs D. Rowlands (ly roont), Mr Rhys Morgan, M.A. (Heath School), Dr Evans, M.A., Mr W. R. colicito", Mr J. D, Jones (Bracklane House), MpR o. Bayliss, Mr D. Griffith and the Misses Griffith (Gwalia House), Mr G Griffith (Glamorgan Bank), Mr George Williams, and Mr J. W.

MEETING OF RAILWAY SER- VANTS AT BARRY. A meeting of Barry railway servants was held at the Barry Hotel on Saturday for the purpose of considering the present aspect of the dispute between themselves and the Barry Company. A letter was read from Mr Harford—the gist of which appeared in Saturday's South Wales Daily News-in reference to his interview with Mr Richard Evans, the general manager of tha Barry Company. It was unanimously resolved to carry out the general secretary's instructions, viz., to again write to the general manager re tho various grievances under which all grades are suffering at present, with a view to his receiving a joint deputation from the Hafod and Barry branches, Mr Harford to accompany the deputa- tion. A strong deputation having been selected, those comprising it were instructed not to receive any concessions leas than the requirements of the memorial which has recently been presented to Mr Evans, and which embodies the strike agree- ment of 1890.

SOUTH WALES LABOUR FEDERATION. Demonstration in Roath Park. We understand that on Mabon's day, in May, the South Wales Labour Federation, which is an organisation including colliers, railway men, all classes of dock employees, and a number of affiliated trades unions, will hold a demonstration in Roath Park, Cardiff. The details of the pro- ceedings have not yet been settled, but the gathering will be one intended to further the aims and objects of the Federation.

RHYMNEY RAllWAYMEN AND THEIR GRIEVANCES. At a very large attended meeting of the No. 2 Branch of the Am^gfWatftd. Society of Railway Servants, held at Davis's Com- mercial Hotel, Queen-street, Cardiff, on Monday, it was unanimously decided to communicate to the public, through the Press, that the Rhymaey Railway trainmen do not enjoy the terms which have been credited to them at a meeting of tho Barry railwaymen recently held. As far as Mabon's week and pilotmeu s hours are concerned, the Taff Vale is the only company that pays their workmen in accordance with Mr Inskip's defini- tion of the agreement. Mr Lundie, the Rhymney manager, places a different construction upon it, favourable to the company, but which the men maintain he had no right to do, and that he should have accepted Mr Inskip a definition, he being tho original constructor of it. There is considerable dissatisfaction prevailing amongst the men, and efforts are being made to remedy theeir grievances.

THE WEEKLY HOLIDAY AT MIN"ERS. Now that the Federation of Miners' of Great Britain has decided upon working only five days a week, there is no doubt but that in a short time we shall have this question agitating South Wales and Monmouthshire and in anticipation of this one of our correspondents on Saturday interviewed a number of the men's representa- tives and several employers on the subject From the men ho learns that the matter will un- doubtedly be introduced at one of tho first meet- ings of delegates, or possibly at the joint meeting of th?» Sliding-scale Committee and the executive of the South Wales and Monmouthshire Federa- tion, to be held shortly at Aberdare. As to the probability of its being introduced into the South Woles coalfields, there is great diversity of opinion. Mr D. Morgan, Aberdare, is strongly opposed to it, as is aJsoMabon, while Mr Isaac Evans is credited with being an ardent supporter of the policy. In Monmouthshire, too. there are many members of the Federation of Graat Britain who will take steps immediately to brin» tho weekly holiday into operation, and this will be a source of weak- ness, undoubtedly, to the opponents of tho policy. As to the employers, they are unanimous in denouncing the project, and they say that its introduction would mean snch an increase in the cost of production as to compel them to take immediate steps to reduce the standard of prices.

FATAL ACCIDENTS IN MINES. The total number of persons employed in and about all the mines of the United Kingdom in 1891, and inclusive of those employed on private branch railways and tramways, and in washing and coking coal on premises adjacent to and be- longing to the mines, was 707,411, against 674,434 in 1890, an increase for last year of 32.977 persons. Exclusive of those employed in the latter capacity, the number of persons engaged was 687,878, of whom 5,819 were females, the aggregate increase being 32,581. The total number of fatal accidents was 961 (against 899 in 1890), and the total number of deaths caused thereby was 1,050 (against 1,206), being an increase of 62 in the number of fatal accidents, but a decrease of 176 in the number of lives lost. There was thus one fatal accident for every 716 employed, against 729 in 1890, and one death fcr every 668 persons em- ployed, which compares very favourably with the ratio of one in 543 of the preceding year. It may be mentioned that in the 10 years from 1874 to 1883 the ratio ot fatal Occidents was one in 594, and of deaths one in 495 persons employed. Com- paring the number of fatal accidents and deaths in coal mines with the tonnage of coal raised, it is seen that there was last year one fatal accident to every 217,007 tons of coat brought to the surface, and ono death to every 201,934 tons, which is less favourable as regards fatal accidents, but more favourable as regards deaths, than in 1890, when the ratios were one for every 226,023 tons, and one for every 167,763 tons respectively.

EXPLOSION AT CARDIFF DOCKS Two Men Injured. On Wednesday a serious disaster occurred on board the s.s.Godwit, lying in Penarth Dock. The vessel was preparing to put to sea, and the engineers and firemen were getting up steam when an explosion took place, blowing off the manhole door and seriously burning the second and third engineers about the legs and body. The names of the two men are Mr Reuben Finlay, the second engineer, and Mr John Nichol, third engineer. Both men were scalded badly, though Nichol is believed to be the most seriously injured. They were at once conveyed to the Hamadryad Hospital where every care and attention is being eiven to them by Dr Hughes. Further inquiries on board the vessel elicited the fact that the two engineers were engaged making a new joint for the manhole door incon- nection with the main boiler, and by accident the door got knocked in too early, causing the escape of steam to such an extent thatbothmen were badly scalded. The donkeyman, who was assisting them, had a very narrow escape of being scalded also. There was no damage done to speak of. The steamer was to have put to sea to-day (Thursday), and it is now uncartam whether she will leave dock at the time fixed or not. Neither of the injured men will be recovered sufficiently to TO on board in so short a time, and itis probable their places will have to be filled by other men for the present voyage, at any rate. ..——

WBDDHTG KEBMB, AND ENGAGEMENT Rmas Great Variety at Xfci^sbJBros. 5, gigh-stsMt, Cardia

THE OPEN COUNCIL. MERCHANT.—(1). No, a. grocer's assistant should sue for wages in the county-court. (2). (a) If a person hires a trap, and drives it himself, and runs into another through his own negligence, he is liable for the damage. (b) If the collision arises through tho other person's fault, thoy are liable. (e) If no one is negligent, and the t in? is pure accident, no one is liable, and the owner of the hired trap most bear his loss himself, (d) If the horse and trap was driven by a servant of the owner, then all the above answers would have to be varied. Yon will see the difficulty you put us to by a bare question of this kind. It woidd be ranch better if correspondents would state the facts fullyin the first place, and then put their questions A. B. C. (Banns).—Banns require to be published three times, but if the marriage does not take place within three months, they may be published over again. LODGER.—A lodger who has resided 12 months and who pays a sum for his rooms out of which £ 10 a year may be reckoned as payment for the bare rooms, without furniture or attendance, is entitled to a Par- liamentary vote. CALSDFWLCH (Personation Agent).—If a personation afent were to communicate any knowledge or im- pressions which he had derived through being present in the polling booth of how persons voted, it would be distinctly wrong. On the other hand thort, seems to be no absolute breach of your oath in communicating your impressions of which way a person, from your previous knowledge of him, would bj likely to havo voted. But we advise you to be extremely careful, as such things invariably get round, and the law is very strict. FUEL (Voting Qualification).—Under recent legislation, in order that your name may be Inserted on tho register of voters, you must (unless otherwise quali- fied as a freeholder. &c.) hnvo been occupier of land or n tenement- of the yearly value of jBlO for 12 months before the 15th July, and in addition have resided somewhere within seven miles of the borough (or county) during six months before the sTane date; and the land or tenement in ques- tion must have paid all its poor rates and' a-sessed taxes for the year by the 20th July. But if you have moved from one such place to ■mother in the same borough tir county you. do not forfeit your right, but are registered in your new parish or township. If by s. -me omission you are not on the register, you cannot vote, and yon must look out for the next revision. You will see a list of voters affixed to the door of your parish church some time beforehand, and if your name does not appear you must apply to the overseer, and.^ive notice of your claim to be registered. However, a drastic reform in all these cumbrous regulations will probably be made in a few years.

THE NATIONAL INSTITUTIONS (WALES) BILL. The Proposed Deputation Abandoned. In defeieuce to the wishes of his colleagues in the Welsh Parliamentary party, Mr Alfred Thomas, M.P., has determined to abandon for the present the projected deputation to Mr Balfour, First Lord of the Treasury, in favour of the National Institutions (Wales) Bill. In coining to this decision, Mr Thomas has evidently been actuated by a desire to avoid even the appearance of hostility to his colleagues, and not less to demonstrate his own perfect loyalty to the party. We feel sure that the hon. member for East Glamorgan will win the approval of his country- men in the course he has thus adopted. In face of the strong conviction as to the in- advisability of such a proceeding at the pre- sent juncture entertained by many members of the Welsh party, to have persevered with the deputa- tion would have served no useful purpose and might place in jeopardy that unity of purpose which has been so marked a feature of the party councils during recent sessions. Mr Thomas's action finally disposes of the nonsense which has been written in the Reactionary press in reference to the so-called Split in the Welsh Party." A difference of opinion as to procedure was forth- with magnified into grave dissensions, and the Tory papers led their readers to believe that the Welsh party was going irretrievably to wreck. All this and much more to wreck. All this and much more to the same purpose has now been shown to be nothing more than fanciful a m gina- tion on the part of a hostile press. The inci- dents which have transpired in connection with the National Institutions Bill, far from being indicative of weakness and disunion in the Welsh party, have conclusively demonstrated its strength. It is well known that Mr Alfred Thomas attached considerable importance to the projected deputation, but at the recom- mendation of his colleagues he has sunk his own personal preferences, and has abandoned a cherished idea rather than incur even a suspicion of disloyalty to the party. The following is a copy of the circular which has been issued :— NATIO-ITAL INSTITUTIONS (WALES) BILLr-DEPC. TATION TO THE GOVERNMENT. My dear Sir,—I beg to thank you for your kind promise to join the deputation to the Government in favour of the National Institutions Bill. Some of the members of the Welsh party are, however, of opinion that it is inadvisable to approach the Government by means of a deputa- tion at the present time, and in deference to their views, and in order that we may, as far as possible, be united on a great national question, I think it best to postpone the deputation for awhile. I shall continue my efforts for securing the recognition of Welsh Nationality in the legisla- tive and administrative system of the United Kingdom; and in obtaining a measure of self- government which 'Wift^giVe Wales the full con- trol of her own affairs and I trust to- have your continued co-operattonfdn advancing the claims embodied in my Bills—1 am* my dear-sir, yours sincerely, ALFRED THOMAS. Bronwydd, Cardiff. March 23rd, 1892."

THE EVANGELISTIC MOVEMENT IN CARDIFF. On Wednesday afternoon the memorial stones were laid, with due religious ceremony, in presence of a goodly gathering of sympathisers in the work, of a new mission hall, now being built on the East Moors for the Cardiff Evangelistic movement inaugurated in May last. The Mission Hall is designed to accommodate 1,000 persons, being 72 feet long by 48 feet wide. A gallery is provided round the whole of the building, carried upon light iron columns, which also help to support the roof. The orchestra, which will accommodate about 100 singers, is in the rear of the platform, from which addresses will be given. A spacious entrance hall is in front of the main hall, with a large committee or class-room at the side. Special care has been taken with the ventilation, fresh-air inlet brackets being fixed about seven feet above floor line, and exhaust ventilators for extractionof vitiated air being fixed in theceiling. It is intended to erect the schools in rear of the hall, and land for this purpose has been reserved. The building is faced with blue Pennant stone, with Bath stone dressings, and is to be ready by June next. The contract price is JBZCOO, and of that sum between JB300 and J3400 had been gathered up till Tuesday morning. It may bo mentioned that the second hall, which will be similar in character, is to be erected in Cowbridge-road, Canton, near the Workhouse, in the course of the next few months. The builders are Messrs Thomas and James, Quay- street, Cardiff, from the designs and under the superintendence of Messrs Habersbon and Fawckner, architects, Pearl-street, Cardiff, London, and Newport. The movement was inaugurated by the Rev J. Pugh, Mr Seth Joshua (of the Neath Mission), and others, by pitching the first tent on the East Moors, that spot being selected because it was considered the most needy in the town. In the district there is a population of about 20,000, many of whom have fallen low in the social scale, through drink and otherwise, whilst in some of the streets the houses are terribly overcrowded. The religious provision of this great centre of purely working-class population is v&_y meagre. The reasons for building a hall and not a chapel are chiefly that many would attend meetings in a plain hall, with plain seats, whilst they would not go to a chapel fitted with pews a hall is much cheaper; and there is every prospect that all the room will soon be required for those attending the meetings. Anxious that the building may be opened free of debt a few months hence, the promoters now make an earnest appeal to all who wish to help in the movement.

SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS. Llannon (Llanelly.) The result of the polling on Tuesday for the above Board was as follows R.Beith(L.). 353 W. GreviUe (L.) 311 David Jenkins (L.) 261 R. Thomas (C.) 233 P. Davies (C.) 217 John Jenkins ( £ .). 166 The first five are elected. Narberth. The polling for the Narberth district School Board took place on Tuesday, when the deputy- Returning Officer (Mr Henry Lewis) declared the poll aa roilows :— 'Mr n. Fisher, Narberth, Baptist 305 Mr Ward, So:istona, Churchman. 285 Mr J. A. Davies, Narberth, Churchman 263 Mr J. R. Lewis, Crinow, Congregationalist 223 Mr James Owen, Narberth. Baptist 197 NOT ELECTED. *Mr W. E. Jenkins, Narberth, Churchman 157 Mr Huph Bevan, Greenway, Wesleyan 105 Those marked with an asterisk were members of the old Board.

FAILURE OF A BRIDGEND COLLIERY OWNER. At a meeting of the creditors of Job Wil- liams, owner of the Blackmill CoUiery, near Bridgend, held at the Official Re- ceiver's, Queen-street, Cardiff, on Tuesday, no offer was made, and the debtor was adjudicated a bankrupt. His liabilities are £239 15s 9d, and his assets JB60. The debtor, until two years ago, was a. colliery overman at New Tredger and other places. In February, 1890, he took a public- house at Mat-steg; and in May, 1891, with a capital of JB500, he started to sink a shaft and drive a level at Blackmill. Difficulties wero met with in the shape of watercourses, and although it is said that coal was "proved," the debtor found his capital exhausted.

HEALTH WITHOUT DRUGS.—Harness' Electro pathic Belt is a genuine and convenient curative applianoe, which should be worn regularly in sickness or in health. It imparts new life and vigour to the debilitated constitution, and is simply invaluable in all cases of Nervousness Rheumatism, Debility, Liver, Kidney, and other organic disorders. Thousands of testimonials con- firm this statement. Those who cannot call and see the originals should write at for copies, which will be sent to any address, with Illustrated Descriptive Pamphlet, free. on application to the Medical Battery Co. (Ltd.), 52, Oxford-street, Lopdon, W. (at the eoroer of Rathbone-plaee

BRECONSHIRE ASSIZES. The judga of Assize (the Hon. Sir Atthnr Charles, Kt.) arrived in Brecon from Carmarthen on Monday afternoon. He was met at the rail- way station by the High Sheriff (Mr W. T. Powell, of Chapel House, Builth), the Under- sheriff (Mr H. Edgar Thomas, Clerk of the Peace for the county of Brecon), the Sheriff's chaplain (Rev Canon Edwards, M.A., Dinas Powis, Cardiff), Supfc. John Joseph, and a detach- ment of the Breconshire Constabulary as javelin men, the Sheriff's officers, and trumpeters. His lordship having # been escorted to the High Sheriff's carriage in the station yard, the proces- sion, in accordance with his lordship's wishes, at once proceeded to the County House (the judge's lodgings) On Tuesday morning tho Judge attended divine service at St. Mary's Church, when the sermon was preached by the Sheriff's chaplain. His lordship took his seat on the Bench about 1L15 a.m., and the court rapidly filled with the general public. THE ABSENCE OP SERIOUS CRIME. His Lordship, in charging the grand jury, said he was very glad to be able to address to them words of congratulation similar to those which he had been able to address to the counties which he had visited before coming to Brecon. The state of the county with regard to serious crime was indeed most satisfactory. They would have no case of very serious crime brought before them that day; and only three cases in all would come on for their consideration. The Judge then alluded to the chief features of the three cases in the calendar, and once more congratulated the Grand Jury upon the comparative freedom of Breconshire from anything hke serious crime. HOUSEBREAKING AT LLANGYNIDBR. James Granville (35), labourer, a man of weak intellect, pleaded guilty to a charge of breaking into the dwelling-house of Ann Walker, in the parish of Llangynider, and stealing therefrom half-a-sovereign and food, and a knife of the value of Is 4d, on March 15th. Mr Merchant Williams (instructed by Mr Davies, of Urickhowell) was for the prosecution. Prisoner broke into the house, helped himself to prosecutrix's food, and then retired to rest, the prosecutrix finding him in bed when she returned to the house. Prisoner told the judge that he was on his way to Newport and had failed ta get work, and feeling very tired and hungry he committed the crim". The Judge told the prisoner that this seemed to be the first time he had been charged with stealing, but what he did he must visit with some punishment. He had stolen this food and con- sumed it, and he had stolen half a sovereign, but nobody seemed to know what had become of the half sovereign. (Prisoner I did not steal half a sovereign). But at all events he had broken into the house and stolen tho food, and when Mrs Walker came home at night she found him still there.—Prisonev was sent to gaol for two months with hard labour. THE TALGAETH ASSAULT CASE. The grand jury found no true bill in the case in which Arthur Turner, ftirm servant, Hradwi1, Talgarth, was indicted for committing an outrage upon Martha Griffiths, domestic servant, at the same place, on March 10th. Prosecutrix stated before the magistrates at Talgarth that she went to the granary at the request of her mistress to fetch a spade. Prisoner followed her and, as she alleged, committed the offence on the floor of the granary, which was covered with corn. SHOCKING CASE FROM: BUILTH. William Price Grocock, plumber, Builth, sur- rendered to his bail to answer the charge of having criminal relations, at various times, with a girl named Mary Jane Roberts, she being under tbeageofsixteenyeara; Mr Benson (instructed by Mr B. T. Owen, Builth) prosecuted, and Mr Arthur Lewis (instructed by Mr R. J. Howell, Builth) was for the defence. The prosecutrix, a young girl of considerable personal attractions, said she was the daughter of Mr John Roberts, a. harpist, well known in Wales, and was under fourteen years of age when the alleged offence was committed. Frotn her depositions it appeared that her parents and the Grocock family (comprising prisoner's mother, brother and sister) occupied a house jointly at Builth, the Grocock family occupying the back part of the premises, and the Roberts' family the front. Each of the families occupied two rooms respectively on the first and second floors. The prosecutrix was in and out of Mrs Grocock's kitchen, and in September last, when prosecutrix's mother had left to join her husband at Bettws-y-Coed, improprieties began between prisoner and prosocutrix in Mrs Grocock's kitchen. Those improprieties were continued frequently down till December 11th last, when it was discovered that prosecutrix was enceinte. Prisoner told her that if ever she got in this stato she was to put in on a boy from the works. Prosecutrix's father said that when he charged prisoner with the offence he denied it, but be admitted having asked prosecutrix her age fre- quently. Witness had seen bis daughter in au improper posturo on the sofa in Mrs Grocock's kitchen, and he remonstrated with her. Lloyd Wynne Roberts, brother of the girl, said h3 had seen improper acts between prisoner and prosecutrix. John Edward Roberts (another brother of pro. secutrix), Mary Ann Roberts (mother of prose- cutrix), and (of Builth) were also examined for the prosecution. The prisoner, bwing sworn, said he had known prosecutrix for five years. He admitted having joked as different times with bwtiiftdenied the offence with which he was charged. Miss Corsham said she was engaged to prisoner, and had been for the pasi two and a half years. In the course of their engagement she had often been at prisoner's house, and when there she had frequently seen prosecutrix there, and prisoner had said jokingly, in her presence and In the presence of the whole family,, they must not be surprised if he and Mary Jane (prosecutrix) ran away together. On the loth December prisoner told her of the accusation which bad been brought against him, and sha was still engaged to him. Mr David Williams, chairman of the Builth Board of Guardians, and Mr David Williams, brewer, Builth, both said they had known the prisoner from childhood, and gave him an excel. lent character. The jury found the prisoner guilty. The Judge, in passing sentence, said this was a case which he could not treat except with some seriousness, and the law had fixed a penalty to it. The maximum penalty was a very heavy one, but he should not think of passing it in this case, as he would in a case differing from prisoner's. Although no doubt he did act with the full con. sent of this child, he Was guilty of a criminal offence and a wicked act. Prisoner would be sentenced to eight calendar months' imprison- ment with hard labour.

FOOTBALL AT PONTYPRIDD. A Penarth PJayer in Trouble. On Wednesday, at the Pontypridd police-court, Mr George David, solicitor, Cardiff, applied to the Stipendiary (Mr Ignatius Williams) that a case heard earlier in the day in tha second court before Mr Merchant, and dismissed, be roplaced on the sheet. The case was one in which Richard Garrett, lace captain of the Penarth Football Club, had been convicted and fined 10s and costs for having, as alleged, committed a breach of the peaca by fighting on the 12th inst.—The application having been granted, the second hearing of the case was pro. ceeded with. P.C. Rees Davies deposed that on Saturday, the 12fch inst., a football match was played at Pontypridd between the Pontypridd and Penarth teams. Soon after the conclusion of the match, witness found the defendant Garrett fighting with another man in front of the Sportsman Inn. A crowd of about 200 persons surrounded the combatants, and the road was blocked. The constable separated the men, and requested Garrett to go away. The defendant however, refused to do so, and continued to tight for about 20 minutes, when he was induced by his friends to enter the Sportsman Hotel. Subsequently, Garrett gave the police a wrong address. Thomas Garrett corroborated the previous witness, and added that the defendant was twice thrown to the ground during thescuffie. James Dewar also gave corroborative evidence, and described the defen- dant as a thoroughly respectable and quiet young: man, who had been for four or five years captain of his team. Should he be found guilty of having committed a breach of the peace he would be severely dealt with by his club and the Welsh Union, because they could not afford to take pugilist3^ around with them. (Laughter.) The S t ipendiaryktatedjfchat th e poli ce had probably acted under a misapprehension. Had the matter been properly explained to them they would not, he thought, have proceeded with the prosecution. He (his Worship) believed that Garrett had simply defended himself and his brother, and the case would therefore be dis- missed. Mr David, having thanked the Bench for their courtesy in reinstating the case, withdrew.

THE KEEPiN^TsHiPS' LOGS. A Captain Fined at Cardiff. At the Cardiff police-court on Wednesday— before Mr T. W. LeWig (stipendiary)—Captain James Thomas, of the steamship Cosmopolitan, was summoned at the instance of the Board of Trade for neglecting to make certain entries in the official log-bo^ of seam an being discharged abroad sick. MrVacheH prosecul ed, and stated I that two men were discharged, one at Buenos Ayres and at Talcahuana, and there no entry in the log declaring the saTnp Mr Downing, who defended, said the men had been discharged with the consent of the Consul and that the Consul had made an entry in the articles that the men had been dlsohargedand their wages paid them. He admitted that the caotain ought, in addition, to have made an entry 'in the official log, but con- tended that his ortjittinsr to do this was simply an inadvertence.—Tlie Stfoendiary took the same view, though he remarked that notwithstanding the lmiwrtance of these lo-'s they were generally very loosely kept, a s t}jero did not appear to be any wilful neglect in the present instance, how- ever, a fine wtw inflicted of 10 b and costs only.

A LIVERPOOL MUPvDER. Two men quarrelled in public-house at the north end of Liverpool late on Saturday night, and were ejected bv the barman. The quarrel was renewed in the strp~t when ono of the men drew a knife and stabbed the other. The In. jured man Wa8tak:n with all speed to the j Hospital, but on arrival there he was found to be dead, having b-sa stabbed to the heart. assailant escaped, (

PASTOR AND DEACONS IN BRECONSHIRE. They Objeotto the Pastor Taking a Wife. At the Breconshire Winter Assizes on Wednes- day, before Mr Justice Charles, the Kington Baptist dispute came on for hearing. The plain- tiff in this case was the Rev J. O. Davies, late pastor of the Kington and Lyons-hall Baptist Chapels, and the defendants the deacons, secre- tary, and treasurer of the Kington Baptist Church. Mr David Lewis and Mr John Plews were for plaintiff, and Mr Bowen Rowlands, Q.C., and Mr f. Marchant Williams were for the defendants. Plaintiff claimed JB40 for arrears of salary, and £56 for wrongful dismissal; and the defendants counter-claimed in respect of the communion plate, and church roll, and collections at Lyons- liall Chapel. Plaintiff said he was called to the church at Kington in the year 1889, and he remained pastor of the Kington and Lyons-hall Particular Baptist Churches till April, 1891. In August, 1890, ho had occasion to leave Kington for a short time, but previously to this he made it known that it was his intention to take a wife." He returned to Kington in September, and subsequently he received a letter from the secretary of his Church, and after that he attended a meeting of deacons- Mr Reed (the senior deacon) informed him that they (the deacons) had come to the conclusion to ask him to resign, and that if he declined they would ask the church to give him notice. Plaintiff asked for the cause and reason of this, and he received the reply that it was in conse- quence of his intended marriage. He was greatly surprised at this, and he asked if they had any other reasons, and the only other reason given was that he had preached a sermon from a tract. The Judge remarked that the plaintiff had not been discharged for any misconduct, and with this Mr Bowen Rowlands concurred. In January, 1891, a special church meeting was called at Kington, and at that meeting a resolution for dismissmg plaintiff was passed by 33 to 26. After this he received notice, and upon his stating that that notice was invalid he received a second notice requesting him to terminate his pastorate after the 30th April. After the 20th April the chapel doors were locked against him and had been ever since. He tried to get another pastorate, and he succeeded in getting a temporary engagement last November. Cross-examination revealed the facts that there had existed a good deal of friction between the deacons and pastor, and that things had not been of the happiest character for some time at Kington Baptist Chapel, the doors of which were ultimately locked against the plaintiff. The Judge said this one of the most singular cases he had ever had to try. It seemed to him there had been no wrongful dismissal, and that it was entirely at the discretion of tho managers of the Particular Baptist Fund whether they gave anything out of that fund or not. The counter claims were struck out, plaintiff undertaking to restore the church plate, church roll, etc. Judgment was given for defendants. Defendants' counsel, Mr Bowen Rowland?, stating that defendants did not want costs, his Lordship entered judgment for defendants with- out costs. This case occupied about four hours in hearing,

PENARTH RATEPAYERS' GRIEVANCES. Lively Meeting. At Andrews' Hall, Penarth, on Wednesday evening, a public meeting was held (under the auspices of the recently formed district Rate- payers As30ciation)ror the ventilationof grievances and arriving at the best means for their removal. Mr Cecil Riches (chairman of the Association) presided, and among those present were Col. Guthrie, J.P., Councillor W. R. Parker, Mr Charles Heywood, Mr J. B. Perner, Capt. Hansen, Mr R. A. Lewis, Mr Kerpen, Mr Taverner, Mr Jenkin Llewellyn, and Mr C. F. Oraiar (secretary.)— The Chairman having opened the proceedings, Mr Chades Heywood called attention to the used of .at once petitioning for the proper inspec- tion of drains, the making of street crossings, and agitating tor an improvement in the mail and train service, especially urging that the London mails should be later. —Colonel Guthrie, speaking as one of the oldest ratepayers in the neighbourhood, said there were radical changes needed, and these would not be effected if Penarth ites did not showgrsater interest in matters concerning their welfare than was evidenced by the small attendanceatthat meet- ing.—Councillor Parkersaid he would content him- self by saying ditto to Mr Heywood, but added that steps should be taken to bring about the abolition of the toll-gate on Penarlo-road-the only one, he believed, in Wales. (Hear, hear.)-— —Mr J. B. Ferrier, the next speaker, said that if the Association was to be of practical benefit to the town it should be aggressive. The ratepayers' representatives on tlie Local Board were only so in name. There were too many builders there, and these builders were not free agents, as they were compelled to act by the instructions received from the land agents. If the recent asseesmeut were carefully gone through it would be found that an anomalous state of affairs prevailed. These builders owned, or had interests in houses \vhicS» were under- assessed. (Cries of Name, namp.. ") — Mr Ferrier: I could give you names, but where's the necessity ?—Mr Jenkin Llewellyn, the rate- collector. then rose in the body of the hall, and Mr Ferrier said: You, Mr Llewellyn, can I probably give the names. You can if you WlIL"- Mr Llewellyn: Mr Chairman, I appeal to you. This is unfair.—The Chairman admitted that Mr Ferrier had gone into personal matters, and said the committee had hoped no feeling would have been imported into the meeting, Mr Ferrier had refused to apologise, so they had his word against Mr Llewellyn's.— Captain Hansen then endeavoured to sustain Mr Ferrier's charges, but he had evidently misunder- stood their import, for in citing his own case he desired to show that be had been over-assessed.— Mr C. A. Heywood then stated that if such matters were to be discussed any further he would leave the room. He had attended simply to advocate the redress of grievances suffered by himself and many of hi3 fellow ratepayers, and ho did not think the proceedings that had taken place creditable to the town. (Applause.) Several other speakers having addressed the meeting it was agreed to seek by every possible means a change in the system of assessing property, the feeling bemg that the late should Ù9 fixed by Local Board, County, or Town Council, rather than by the Vestry." It was also resolved to ask the Local Board to insist upon a new a^essment, the recent ono being condemned as inequitable, or that that body should put aside the surplus money received in ratss on the new assessment and reduce the rates for the next half-year accordingly.

LOCAL BOARD ELECTIONS. PENARTH.—On Wednesday afternoon the fol- lowing gentlemen were nominated as candidates: —Messrs James Edwards, George Pile, James Wilson Mayne, Thomas Lewis, Evan Ellis Roberts, and Wm. John Coles (Pilot Hotel). The retiring members are Messrs Edwards. Pile, and W. L. Thomas. The voting papers will be distributed on the 1st April, collected on the 5th, and counted on the 6tii. RHYMNKY.—A more lively interest is being taken in this election than usual. The Labour party have nominated Messrs Thomas E. Jones, builder, and David Hughes as candidates. These have also been unanimously adopted by the Rhymney Liberal Association. The other candidates are Messrs H. V. Trump and W. Pritchard, tho Company's candi- date, and Messrs John Jackson and James Griffiths, both of whom come out as inde- pendent candidates, although they have been nominated by Conservatives. There are three vacant seats. Mr J ohn Edwards, draper, is the returning officer. MAKSTOG.—The following have been nominated for the six vacancies on the Local Board Henry Bowen, collier, BndgCnd-road: -David Davies, grocer, Liverpool House; John Edmunda. collier, Dyffryn-road; J. Jones, colliery man- ager, Metcalfe-street; *Thomas Rees, grocer, Garniwyd; George Ferrier, grocer, Castle-street' H. G. J. Barrow, mining engineer, Fairfield House. Those marked with an asterisk are old members. As Mr Jenkin Evans is shortly leaving tho district, another vacancy will arise, and an election may be avoided.

THE HARGREAVE JEWELS. The Hargreave jewels, the pearls of which were the cause of the sensational pearl case, will be sold at Messrs Christie's rooms, King-street, St. James s, on March 28, with other jewels and Bilver plate from various sources. They are des- cribed in the catalogue as the property of Major Hargreave, of Shirley, Torquay—a pair of top and drop brilliant earrings, cach with a large pear-shaped brilliant below and two smaller brilliants above; and a set of three pgarl pen. dants with brilliant caps."

.WHY USE A SPRING MEDICINE ? Because at every spring season the necessity for a thorough cleansing of the blood is most important, "he biood is thickened as a result of bad ventilation and close confinement during the long winter months, and the channels of circula- tion become clogged. Warner's «' SAI-R Curs at this season of the year again demonstrates Ita superiority as a blood remedy. Without good blood good health is impossible. Especially ia this truu of those who ^re afflicted wish any form of constitutional trouble, either scrofula, blood- taint or 11 ver dibease. Brynher, Llanddulas, N. Wales, June, 1890.- Abouu foui years ago I was unable to follow my employment through illness, was under the. S °ar^i -°r 'ee years, was given up ai ejffenng and in deep consumption. Happening one day to see your advertisement, I made my mind to give your "SAFE" Cure AVRM W Sof'Sa^h^ 1 some dark sort of blood. Thinking that the medicine was working something out of my constitution, my iaith was so strong in it I k«pt taking it and after taking two bottles 1 felt so well that Iwent to my old employer to seek work, after being home for close on three years, I will always recommend it to my neighbours about here as a grand medicine that saved me from an early grave. — HCGU LEE. .Warner's "SAFS" Cure is endorsed by pby. sicians, approved by scientists, and used by the beat people in the land. It is a scientific prepara- tion. and owes its ]>opularity wholly to its nower. it ean b* procured of any reliable dealer.

MONMOUTHSHIRE COUNTY COUNCil. A meeting of the above Council was held on Wednesday afternoon at the Tdwn-hall, Newport. The Chairman (Alderman Edwin Grove) pre- sided, and there was also present the Duke of Beaufort, Sir Henry Jackson, Mr Codrington Crawshay, Aldermen Harris, Llewellyn, Ellis, Goidsworthy, Vaughan, Mulligan, and Parfitt. Lord. Tredegar wrote that lie was attending a meeting of the Alexandra. Dock Company in London, and Colonel Morgan also sent an excuse that he could not get a pair in the House of Commons. A SUNDAY-CLOSING BILL FOR ENGtAJfD. Tho Clerk reported the receipt of a petition in favour of Sunday-closing in England, and read a clause of tho Bill that it was suggested should come into force, on and after th;) 10th October next.— Mr Harris proposed that the petition be signed by the chairman on behalf of the Council.—Mr S. N. Jones, in seconding tho motion said, he thought tho time bad come when the licensed victuallers should be relieved of Sunday work, and that their assistants, whose hours of work were said to be 16 to 16% per day, might have one day's rest per week. Wales and Ireland had both benefited from Sunday-closing, and when it was found that Sunday drunkenness in Eng- land for the past year had increased from 13,912 to 14,673, it was time that the public-housrsa in England should be closed. (Hear, hear.) He did not wish to give tho Council a lecture on temperance, but in the Monmouthshire bills in the present prosperous times, Sunday-closing was very much needed. The public houses were opened in the evening just as the be! is called people to church, and occasioned a great deal of harm.— Dr Steele supported the resolution on the ground that it was essential to remove temptation to drink from the working population on Sunday. During a recent visit to America and Canada he saw that in the State of Toronto public-houses were, olosed from eight o'clock on Saturday night until Monday morning. A good deal had been said lately about grandmotherly legislation, but ho thought the old petition, "Lead us not mto temptation," was the common-sense idea that should guide them in legislation. —Mr Crawshay moved a negative on the ground that the Bill sought to deprive the poor man of his beer, whilst the rich man had access to drink on Sun- days, and denied that the Sunday Closing Act had answered in Wales. (A Voice: "Yes.") Well, as far as he knew, it had not answered. It was a great incentive to drunkenness for men to take beer home with them on Saturday night, because it led to their wives and families partaking of it. — Dr Steele: Tho only drawback in Wales is the bona-fide traveller; abolish him. (Laughter.)—Mr Crawshay did not think Dr Steele would like to bo deprived of re- freshment, supposing he was a traveller at any time.—The Chairman invited a seconder to the amendment.—Mr Goidsworthy: I should think there will not be one.—Col. Byrde,'as a resident in a country district, &poke in favour of the reso- lution, and said that on Sunday evening last ho saw 20 to 30 men from the hills come from the direction of Kemys Bridge towards the church as the congregation was leaving. The men were all more or less the worse for drink, and ware using more or less blasphemous language. Such things ought not to be tolerated in a Christian county, and therefore he should give his vote in favour of Sunday closing.—Mr Richards said that be came from a portion of Monmouthshire which at a recent date was in Breconshire, and said that when the change took place and the public- houses were re-opened on Sunday there was a complete and disagreeable transformation. It had been said that a poor man should not be deprived of his beer, but it was far worse to deprive him of hi3 Sunday, or to give him tempta- tions to spoil it. (Hear, hear.)—Mr Griffiths (Blaenavon) and Mr Walters (Pontllanfraith) also supported the resolution, and it was carried -j unanimously. THE INTERMEDIATE EDUCATION SCHEMB. The Intermediate Education Committee re. ported that since the matter of site for the West Monmouth School had been decided by the Charity Commissioners considerable progress has been made with the county scheme. The Com- mittee intimated some time ago that sites for dual schools had been considered necessary at or near the following places, viz., Tredegar, Ebbw Vale, Abertillery, and Pontywaiii, and for girls only at Pontypool (north end) and Abergavenny, whilst some change was recommended as regards the Grammar School at Usk. The Committee also regarded with favour some strengthening of the present Grammar School at Abergavenny. The other parts of the county will be divided into scholarship districts, as it is intended to give each part- of the county an equitable proportion of the fund disjxjsable for educational matters. The Committee have also seen with pleasure that at least three suitable and costly sites have already been offered by some of the leading in- habitants in different towns, and they congratulate those towns upon possessing such spirited and geneicas benefactors.— Alderman Harris pleaded in favour of Blaina, but Mr S. N. Jones confirmed the committea's decision of Abertillery, and said it was the rismg place of the hills.—Mr Jacob expressed satis- faction at Pontywain being chosen, but asked for an extension of ti)110 in which to get the required proportion of the money.—The Chairman said that the longest timj would be given, but that the Charity Commissioners were pressing tho committee to greater expedition. He appealed to the various authorities, from Nantyglo to Crumliu, not to be swayed by petty jealousies of half a mile or so in the position of the school, but to hand themselves together to make it a success. (Hear, hear.) He believed that there was a great future for the county by the help of intermediate and technical education, and he trusted the young would be enabled thoroughly to avail themselves of the advantages.—The report was adopted. FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE. The Chairman reported that foot and-mouth disease had appeared in England, and a sub-com- mittee was, on the motion of Sir Henry Jackson, appointed to take such steps as might be deemed necessary to prevent its introduction, or in the event of that not being possible, to arrest its spread by slaughtering the animals and other- wise.

TRUTH says A speech delivered by the Roman Catholic Bishop of Salford at a temper anco meeting at Ashton-under-Lyne was so sensible and moderate that it deserves notice The Bishop suggested that whilst strong beers should be taxed, the sale of light beers not above a certain minimum strength should be encouraged by being freed from duty. This is a doctrine that I have always preached. It is indeed a pity that more temperance reformers are not as reasonable a.nd as practical as the Bishop of Salford." A large measure of the success of the Golden Sun light Ale may be attributed to the fact that it is brewed on these lines, and will compare favour* ably with the ordinary high coloured, ctrong, heady ales. It is brewed "from malt prepared from tho finest Herefordshire barley, and most dehcatelyflavoured with hops, called "Wor sfors," but really grown in the rich fertile valleys of Herefordshire. Messrs Watkins and Son, of the Hereford Brewery, are the only brewers of this famous ale, anditissoldby over 200 agents in the Norto, South, East, and West of the British Isles. South Wales office, 94, St. Mary-street: stores West«rat#>-streBt, Cardiff 13409 192] 8PRCTAOLKS TQ SUIT ALL SMHTS, as reooro

GLAMORGAN CORN RETURNS. statistical tables for the 1 nv county returned during that twelvemonth 7,464 quarters of wheat, 4,319 quarters of barley, and 2,131 quarters of oats. QeIo^d the^ yields were wheat 6,437, bailey 9,483, and oats 12,052. The average this county was 34s 5d \vheai., 26s 6d barley, 19s oats, as compared with the following averages for 1891 in the whole of England and Wales; 37s wheat; 28s 2d barley 20s oats. It will be interesting to compare the foregoing prices with the following averages for England and Wales. Th« figures for 1817 and 1889 are given to show the highest and lowest point that the prICes of wheat touched in the period covered by the returns YEAR S D Bsar' OatS. 1815 65 7 30 3 Si Dj K « J 11 ^2} 50 1 26 0 19 6 S 2 •••• 38 0 25 4 I •■■■ 27 6 19 3 1851 38 6 •••• 24 9 18 7 1861 .••••••• 5j 4 1 9 1871 56 8 36 2 P, 9 1881 45 4 31 11 21 9 1839 29 8 PQio y? q 1891 37 0 ..I! 28 2 "i! 20 0 The quantities returned as sold in the Cardiff markets in fcrus county during the year were as follows :— Wheat. Barley. Oats. B. QU3. B. QRS. B. 7,464 2 4,319 4 2,131 0

A RAILWAY MYSTERY. Early on Tuesday morning Private King, of the 2nd Battalion of the Grenadier Guards, who was travelling from Dublin, was found dead on the up line near Penmaenmavvr. He had been decapi- tated, and tho body was otherwise terribly mal- treated. There ia no information at present A3 to i how King got on the metal a. j

WEEK BY WEEK. Mr W. J. Parry has been elected chapman of the Carnarvon County Council. Madame Patti has suddenly fallen ill at Boston, and is now compelled to remain indoors. In consequence of this being leap year it entails on the Navy pay-sheet alone an additional ex. penditure of £3.5,000. The Cardiganshire Artillery Militia win again, this year, be encamped for training at Aberyst- wyth. The Pope has written a letter to the Hon. Thomas B. Bryan, a special commissioner of the Chicago World's Fair, warrnlv approving of the undertaking. Mr Bright on a memorable occasion said the Welsh Conservative members might drive to Westminster in a hansom. After the next general election a bicycle will be sufficient. Messrs Passmore and Alabaster intimate that they have sulficient unpublished sermons and manuscripts of Mr Spurgeon's to last for many years. An extraordinary artesian spring is reported from Sleaford. At a depth of 150 feet in the lime- stone beds a spring was.struck which yields a ton of water a minute. Lord Tennyson is still wintering-at Farringford House, Isle of Wight, with Lady Tennyson and the Hon. and Mrs Hallam Tennyson. His lord- ship is in excellent health, notwithstanding his advanced years. The project of sending British pedigree live stock to the Chicago Exhibition seems likely to fall through in consequence of the restrictions, im- posed by the American Government on tins class of animals. A pJeasing reminiscence of the Fancy Dress Ball at the Mansion House are exquisite cabinet photographs representing the three eldest daugh- ters of the Lord Mayor in the Welsh costume they wore on the particular evening, SirMurteine O. M. Llovd, Bart., has pre- sented the University College of Wales with a complete set of Delphini Classics. This valuable collection will be a. great acquisition to the new library. Principal Edwards' brochure on Disestablish. ment has been rapidly taken up An edition of 5,000 was exhausted in three or four weeks, and a. second edition of the same number has been issued. "Aged Fifty" writes that the melody of 11 Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-av is a simple paraphrase in 2-4- time of the Postal Waltz," which Pestal is supposed to have composed the night before his execution. A lively ditty to set the music-halls frantic? The piece was popular about 40 years ago. Two important articles of interest to tho Baptist denomination will be published in the next issue of the Qeninen. Professor Rowlands, Brecon, will write on Mr Spurgeon, and the Rev. C. Davies, Cardiff, on Carey, the Father of Modern Missions Mr Herbert Gladstone, M.P., told his con- stituents at Leeds, on Friday, that he had always preached the ad visibility of extending allotments, and that in this matter the French wore better situated than the English. He favoured the idea of sending more labour candidates to Parliament and the payment of members. Mr Sydney F. Walker, electrical en^in^er, of Cardiff, has just published a paper, "How to Light a Colliery by Electricity." contributed by him to the transactions of the British Association of Mining Students. The paper is illustrated with a number of engravings of electrical appara- tus employed in colliery lighting. The Pall Mall Gazette believes that the real struggle for the principaiship for the Guildhall School of Music lies between Mr Joseph Barnby and Mr Cusins. Mr Barnby'a attainments as a musician are viewed by the Common Council wrth favour. In view of the fact that Mr Barn by had accepted the conductorship of the Cardiff Musical Festival this item is nut without interest. An unusually handsome spacemen of the now almost extinct American bison has reached the Zoological Society from the Queen's dairv farm atFrogmore. He is the survivor of a pair ssnfc by the Marquis of Lome from Canada as a present to her Majesty a few years ago, and is a particularly valuable addition to the collection in Regeni/s Park. A Committee consisting of Sir M. Hicks. Beach, Mr Courtney, Mr H. Fowler, Mr Talbot, and Sir John Puleston has been formed to receive subscriptions from members of Parliament to. wards placing in St, Margaret's, Westminster— the parish church of the House of COllHllom-a, stained-glass window in memory of the late Right Hon. W. H. ^mith. "My father," says Mr Dickens, Q.C., son of the great novelist, "was an excellent speaker, and, like Lord Chief Justice Cockburn, had a beautiful voice. I remember his giving me some most excellent advice on the subject of public speaking. It was this :—'Open your mouth well and roundly, speak to the last person visible, and give yourself time. A marble slab, with the inscription, C. H. Spurgeon," has been affixed to Mr Spurgeon's grave m Norwood Cemetery. At Mrs Spurgeon's desire one other word, waiting," is to be added to the inscription. Visitors seeking the grave of the great preacher have found it difficult of identification, and so this plain slab has been put. down. Some time, no doubt, the slab will give place to a more imposing memorial stone. The late Professor Freeman was ever a fighter," almost as much as Thorold Rogers. Perhaps the most amusing episode in his life," says the London Daily News, was his battle with Anthony Trollope over the morality of field sports. Trollope rode habitually to hounds. Freeman warned the hunt off his Somersetshire estate. There was not much politeness lost in this verbal encounter, and it really seemed at one time as if the historian thought the novelist a worse man than Mr Froude." 1 In a. sketch of Rev Dr John Thomas, of Liver. pool, given in the current issue of the British Weekly, appears the followingSome one has said that the personal impression made by Cardinal Manning on him was much as though "a medieval saint from the stained-glass windows of a Churoh had suddenly become in. fused with life, and taken part in all the ways of the world." Instead of a, medieval saint, sav the "strong, clear-cut, dominant face of a Puritan Father," and you have a portrait of Dr Thomas. Sir Wilfrid Lawson, says the Star, was at his best at the Oxford Union on Thursday night. He delighted a house crammed in every part with story after story, each better than the last. There was the one of the under. graduate who kept a barrel of beer in his rooms and was hauled up before the authorities. The delinquent's excuse was that the dootor told him beer would make him strong. And has it made you strong 1" Oh, yea. When the barrel came I could scarcely lift it; now I find it quite easy." Protesting againsti the opprobrium in which teetotalers were held, I don't see why," said Sir Wilfred, a man shouldn't abstain from whisky just as much u from mashed potatoes." Here are some results of American copyright. Mrs Humphrey Ward's History of David Grieve" was first issued there in one volume for a dollar, and is now to be obtained in two volumes, "in larger type and on better paper," for three dollars. Mr J. M. Barrie's Little Minister," on the other hand, owing to its prior publication in serial form, has fallen a victim to the pirates, one of whom actually brought it out incomplete before the final chapters had appeared in Good Words. Hence much mystification of the reviewers. A rumour is afloat in the Navy to the effect that the Admiralty contemplate increasing the price of the leaf tobacco now issued to the men at a 6liiliing per pound, and afterwards manufac. tured by themselves. We understand that there is no such intention. Recently the Revenue authorities, in order to check the smuggling of stalks, proposed that tobacco for ships should be deprived of its stems before leaving store but the Admiralty, on the ground that this would neces. sitate charging a higher price to the men, de. clined to do so, and the subject has not beea reopened. The late Mr Freeman was always a determined opponent of the House of Lords, and when that assembly in 1884 virtually rejected the Franchise Bill he took the chair at an indignation meeting at Wells and made a strong speech. He was for "mending," not II end mg," however, and concluded with the words :—" Stand fast, I say, in the old paths, cast away corruptions and novelties, and among them the superstition of hereditary right. e need not sweep away, we need only reform on the old lines, and we may again see among us, freshened with new blood, strengthened with new life, the ancient assembly of our forefathers, the Gathering of the Wise." Mrs Sidgwick, sister of Mr Balfour, who has succeeded the late Miss Clough as Principal of Newnham, is an intimate friend of Miss Glad. stone, who has long been associated with the college, and who came there at her suggestion. Mrs Sidgwick is delicate and almost fragile in appearance, with a thin, pale, intellectual face, blue eyes, and fair hair smoothly parted from her brow. She shares the devotion of her brother, Mr Balfour, to intellectual pursuits of an abstract kind. Unlike the leader of the House, she is quite free from cynicism, but, even more than other members of the Balfour family, she is shy and reserved. Sir George Biddell Airy, of the White House, Crooms-hill, Greenwich, Astronomer Royal, 1835. 1881, who died on the 2nd of January, aged 90 years, left personalty of the value of £27,455, HI. bequeaths to the Queen and her successors all such cf his printed books, engravings, photo. graphs, papers and instruments as the executors may consider likely to be useful tor the purposes of the Royal Observatory, or fit and proper to b< placed in its library or archives, and also a! £ manuscript correspondence, official or private. which was in his possession relating solely ot chiefly to astronomical or scientific subjects, or to the concerns of the Royal Observatory, or to th, Observatory of the University of Cambridge. Mr Mortimer Green, the recently appointed registrar of Aberystwyth College, is a native of Aberayron. For several years he was in businesi in Liverpool. Since his connection with Liver- pool be has been constantly connected with educational work. After several years spent at college and matriculating at the London Uni- versity, he occupied for nine years the position of head master at Caerau Park CoIlegiat« School. He also acted as secretary to Trevecca Coll^ge^ honorary secretary to the Denbigh centre of the Bangor University Extension Lectures, and was for many years a sub-examiner of the College of Preceptors. When the anpointiuAt for tha' regisfcrarship of the University College of Cardiff was being made Mr Green was, with Mr I vol James, the present holder of tha.t position, selected out of 123 candidates for fiual oouaidera fciou A