The Cardiff Times

-¡. A Notable 11 Archdruid." THE BODY CREMATED. DESCRIPTIVE SKETCH a OF THE CEREMONY. THE CREMATION. LLANTKISANT, Tuesday. I The remains of the late Dr Wm Price, of Llan- ttisant, were, at break of day this morning, con- veyed to the Caerlan Fields, and there cremated, in accordance with the instructions left by the late Archdruid in his will. Several hundred tickets were sent off on the previous day to the friends and patients of the deceased, and to the large number of persons who had forwarded their applications by post and telegraph to Miss Llewellyn and Miss Price. It was stated, however, on these tickets that the ceremony would take place at noon to-day, and consequently there were not many people about at seven o'clock this morning when the ceremony actually took place. A few, how- ever, who had obtained a ciue the night before as to the course affairs were likely to take, arrived in Llautrisant in brakes and vehicles from Ponty- pridd and other towns as early as five and six o'clock. In the house of mourning the family and a number of friends had remained up all night, and thus facilitated the preparations. At seven o'clock exactly Mr Ebenezer Davies, the undertaker, accompanied by twelve bearers and four undertakers' men. arrived at Ty'r Clettar, and at once place the coffin on the bier, lent for the occasion by the churchwardens of the parish. Before, however, the lid was fastened, Miss Llewellyn and her two children, lesu Grist and Penelopen Elizabeth, were escorted into the room to have a last look upon the features of the deceased. Shortly altervvards, Miss Price came in, and cut off a ringlet the flowing hair of the dead Druid. After a last kiss from her, the lid was fastener!, and a few moments afterwards the bearers carried the heavy iron coffin, covered lby a, pall, into the open-air, where a procession was formed. Following the coffin were the two younger children of the de- ceased already named, the little lad being dressed in a garb similarly to the attire generally worn by the late doctor. The child's head-dress consisted of an entire fox skin. and the suit was composed of green cloth, braided red, and scalloped at the neck and around the knees. The little girl wore the Welsh pais a beewn, and a red shawl, and presented a very picturesque appearance. Then came Miss Price, or Iarlles Morganwg, as her deceased father styled her, leaning upon the arm of a friend. Miss Price also being dressed in Welsh costume, Miss Llewellyn followed, wearing a dark cloak, and VIEW PROM THE -ROAD. the Welsh national hat with a low crown. Miss Llewellyn seemed greatly affected, and had to be escorted on one side by Mr Sparnon, a neighbour, on the other by Dr Anderson, of Carmarthen, the personal friend with whom the deceased doctor spent several days in August last. THE COFFIN. The body, dressed in the peouliar garb invari- ably worn by the deceased, had been placed in a receptacle constructed of sheet iron, encircled at intervals by strong iron bands. This receptacle was similar in shape to an ordinary coHin. Up to an early hour this morn- ing the coffin, for so it may, perhaps, be called, lay in the front room of the house, a room which had served up to the doctor's death both as a study and a consulting room. Dr Price was severely simple in his tastes, and ordinarily there was nothing in the apartment, with its boarded floor and bare walls, to suggest the least tendency to a desire for bodily comfort —not Ito mention luxury-on tho part of its occupant. The coffin was placed on a long couch, draped with muslin, and the contrast between the snowy-whiteness of the drapery and the grim blackness of the receptacle, varnished over with a sticky substance of the consistency of coal-tar, was striking in the extreme. A detailed description of the coffin THE LATE DB PRICK'S HOUSE. ø mn.y not, at this point, bo amiss, for it was certainly a unique specimen of its kind, I and was specially constructed by a local black- smith—Thomas Jones, of Talbot-from the designs of a well-known surveyor, with a view to the fiery ordeal which it was destined to undergo. Sheet-iron was selected as its material for the express purpose of preventing the least possi- bility of the body itself bec!lmin I-xposed unèlr any circumstances, the iron bands being subsequently placed as an additional precaution. It was anticipated that the sheet-iron, when placed in the heart of the burning pile, would soon become red- heart of the burning pile, would soon become red- hot, and so materially assist the process of crema- tion, while at the same time preserving the ashes which, the doctor had arranged, should be cast to winds and scattered o'er the earth to help the green grass and flowers to grow." Along each side of the coffin, from end to end, were a series of holes, each of them an inch or an inch and a half in diameter, means being thus provided for the entry of the fire and for the escape of the gases emitted from the body during the process of combustion. At ) the top of the lid of the coffin was a square aperture disclosing the face and bust of the corpse, and thti^e who were afforded the opportunity of gazing upon the features of the deceased declare that, despite the great age which the doctor had attained, there was not a wrinkle visible in the face, and that the com- plexion was as fresh as that of many a man in the prime of life. This aperture was eventually covered with a lid, fastened by means of strong iron band, nuts, and bolts, so that, if necessity, the. lid oould easily bs raised in order to ascertain if the corpse within had been completely incinerated. It had once been proposed to insert the iron receptacle in an outer shell of wood, which, of course, would be con- sumed by the flames, but this proposal waa aban- doned. THE CREMATORIUM. The spot selected for the extraordinary ceremony was the summit of a hill to the south of the town of Liantrisazit. This land formed a portion of freehold property owned by the late Dr Price. It was here, in a piot of ground known as the Cae'rlan fields, ten acres in extent, that the CONTRIVANCE FOR HOLDING THE COFFIN DURING THE PROCESS OF CREMATION. departed Druid cremated his own child, "lesu Grist," in January, 1884; it was here that Dr Price, on many an occasion since, burned the carcases of the cattle and the dogs that died while in his possession and now by his own express desire, his own re- mains were there consigned to the flames at an early hour this morning. But the ceremony of to-day was divested of all the objectionable features of the cremation practised by the doctor himself and those responsible for the arrange- ments are to be congratulated upon their success in accomplishing so difficult a task as that of carrying out the doctor's instructions, while at the same time refraining from committing any act that could be considered offensive, or indecent, or calculated to outrage public opinion. To attain this end, every step that ingenuity could devise was taken. A crematorium was erected for the occasion on Cae'rlan fields, a few yards to the right of the enormous flagstaff which the Doctor had set up there a, couple of years ago. As will be seen from the sketch, the crematorium consisted of two parallel walls, built of solid masonry, each wall being eighteen inches thick, ten feet long, and three feet six inches in height. There was a clear space of three feet six also between the walls, and this space, at a height of 2ft. 3in. from the ground, was crowned by a number of iron bars, 2in. in diameter, the ends being embedded in the walls. The bars were placed close to ench other, so as to form a kind of grate upon which to place the fuel, the space below being left to facilitate the draught. There was then a space of 14 inches between the sides of the coffin and the walls, and a space of two feet at each end—the coffin beine six feet long-while the top of the coffin was several inches below the level of the masonry. This space at the sides, at the end, and on top, was stocked with fuel, so that when all was ready for the burning torch to be applied the ends only of the coffin were visible to the curious crowd that stood around. LIGHTING THE }fl:. It was a few minutes before eight o'clock when the approach tc the Caerlan was reached, and here at the en France the cor was met by the Re* Daniel F'; her, ■A Llantrisant, wearing a fl.; tp:ic'), He read the burial service, and preceded the pi occasion to the centre of the tield, where tit., crematorium had been ei .c >jd. ouon aftssr varda there was a pause in the vice, while the bearers lifted the a>!F;n.off the bier and lodged it in the place preuim-d for it. in the crematorium. Some time elapsed before the oeurerh succeeded n getting it into the 0Hltre of the furnace, and when this had bean if.coaipli^bed, tbe funeral service was continued, it being • 'lie usual Ohnrch of England form in Welsh, slightly altered to suit the cremation c 'rt'inon/, the bodj eing "con- signed to the fire" instead of being )nsigned to the earth." Exaotly at 8.10 all was declared to be in readiness Mid then the personal friend of the deceased, kowri in the locality as Dr Anderson, ol Carmarthen," stepped in front of the crowd, and applied a lighted match to the shavings, which covered the tnauth of he furnace. Almost at the same time a similar service wa3 per- formed at the other end by Daniel Richards, an old servant of the deceased while at the same moment three or four i. ,v.-ho stood on top of the coals at the anmnut of the crematorium, poured large quantities o' paraffin on the mass of com! usfible.->, aud so assisted its ignition. In a vry f w moments the flames leaped several feet thewh-Je structure being speedily enveloped iu flames and dense volumes of sracke. There was a strone, Botith westerly breeze blowing at the time, and this considerably facilitated the burn- >5. Superintendent Jones and a force of 30 • constables were on the ground in case of neces- sity.

THE BODY REDUCED TO ASHES. Souventrs of the Departed. The news that the cremation at last has taken place seems to have been pretty quickly circulated. Soon after twelve o'clock thousands of people poured into the town from ■all directions. A large proportion oflthese were un- provided with tickets of admission to the fipId, and consequently the residence of the late Dr Price, to which Miss Llewellyn returned shortly before 10 o'clock, was surrounded by a crowd of many hundreds of p-raons, all loudiy clamouring for tickets, the most importunate of their number actually forcing their way into the house in quest of the coveted pasteboard. So far as possible these requests were complied with, while Miss Llewellyn and tho children took advantage at the same time of the opportunity of disposing of photos and souvenirs of the departed Druid at a modest price. The day, which broke with threatening clouds, turned out as the hours advanced exceedingly fine. and consequently the main streets of the village were crowded with pedestrians and vehicles, traffic being carried on with the greatest difficulty. Many thousands of curious spectators assembled around the crematorium in the "Caerlan fields patiently watching the proceedings. The fire raged furiously, and the stokers declared 'jthat by peepiug in through a square aperture in themasonry they were able to see the iron coffin, (which was red-hot, that log tongues of flames issued from the several holes drilled in the side of the coffin, indicating in an unmistakable manner that the body must have been burned to ashes. Three tons of coal and one ton of wood were intended to be utilized for the occasion, iu addition to the paraffin, but a considerable proportion of the. coal remained unconsumed. The various Press representatives engaged in Llantrisant during the day were very kindly granted the use of Mr Taliesin Morgan's comfort- able office at the Horse and Groom Hotel for the purpose of preparing their reports for the news- papers they represented—a kindness which was much appreciated.

THE FINAL SCENE. Carrying Away the Empty Coffin. LLANTRISANT, 8 P.M.—The whole process of. cremation has now been over for some hours, and. with the departure of the evening train, the little village, which has presented a very busy scene during the day, is gradually assuming its normal quietude, The closing incident in the day's pro- ceedings took place shortly after four o'clock, when preparations were made to draw the coffin from out the fiery furnace in which it had been deposited for fully eight hours. It was generally believed, even as early as one o'clock, that the fire had finished its work, and it was then resolved not to add any more fuel but to allow the burning mass gradualiy to extinguish itself. About half-past three the fire had so far diminished that the half-dozen men acting as stokers were instructed to make an effort to with- draw the coffin. This they proceeded to do by means of long pieces of iron similar to those used by firemen at gasworks. At this time a crowd of several thousand people surrounded the wooden fence which formed the barricade, and when they perceived the object sought by the stokers their excitement became so intense that they burst into the enclosure and surrounded the burping mass. Supt. Jones and his constables, including Inspector Davies, of Porth, and Inspector Jones, of Pentre, at once attempted to clear the ground, and with considerable difficulty space was obtained to enable the stokers to pro- ceed with their work. Eventually the coffin was withdrawn from the furnace, and it was then seen that it had been almost destroyed by the fierce heat. There were huge rents both in the lid and in the sides, aud in several places the iron receptacle had been completely burnt through. A glance sufficed to show that the corpse which occupied the coffin in the morning had been entirely consumed. Strange to say, the coffin was absolutely empty, not even a particle of dust remaining. The shattered coffin was then placed on the bier, and after being allowed to cool, was shouldered bv the bearers, who, surrounded by a cordon of police, and followed by a portion of the crowd, slowly wended their way towards the late residence of the deceased doctor. The remains of the coffin were placed in the front room on the couch upon which the doctor had died, and where his body had rested in the morning. Meanwhile the few hundreds of people who had remained near the crematorium scrambled among the cinders search- ing for souvenirs. Several persons claimed to have discovered portions of the calcined bones, whilst others, with perhaps greater regard for the certainties of the case, carried away as trophies detached pieces of the coffin itself.

A m AN BACK j Is the one weak spot in the physical make-up of ^9 men. The weakness, accompanied with sharp paina, or a dull, heavy continuous p^in, is most cases in tbe small oi the back, soio1'?. through the shoulders and shoulder hlatle, but cases the centre of the difficulty is located tiolljP spinal column. It would not do for us to di>lcuoØ 1 causes of this malady in all car-es, but w., wI' alloirod to point to a cure which is as certain aliti vjW As it is that we shall have black foes in London S winter until the smoke nuisance is abated. This cure is simple, safe and cheap it consists appl.cation of St. Jacobs Oil outwardly and t V ogelcr's Curative Compound internally grand remedies, in fact, the King tn.: Qtt tnedicines-wijieii may be procured from any de medicines, at Is l%d and 2s 6d per bottle, or sent by us on receipt of 14 or 30 penny pestaue ¡¡t:¡.uJ The Vogeler Co., Sole Proprietor.4,45, Farring,( London. J^IEBIG'S £ JHEMICAL J^IEBIG'S CHEMICAL 1100 ir lEBIG'S CHEMICAL JJLOOJJ J^IEBIG'S CHEMICAL FOO OR WINE OF PHOSPHATES. JM TESTIMONIAL FROM SIR CHARLES 1,0 PHYSICIAN TO THY. QUEEN. •" 1 have for some years recommended I.I^Sj^B CHEMICAL FOOD in cases of general with the most beneficial results." ..vH This reir.arkabl- preparation not only con, the materials necessary for the foundation of ■ cnM.itilu «. eventing or curing ..i* f-i /> leouirea for forming "it I ]I ..I:( -Ie, flesh, bone, brain, f Uie very si— eats of LIFE.

COAL TRADE CRISIS. CONFERENCE OF MINERS AT CARDIFF. Oil Monday morning a Confarence-ofiths miners of South Wales and Mcmnoufchshire was held at St JtUinVaall. The meeting was convened by the men's representatives on the ,Slidmg-scale for the purpose of presenting a report and confer as to the future course of action. All the mem- bers of the Slishug-eeaie were present, including Mr Lewis Miles, the secretary. Mr W. Abraham (Mafeon), M.P., was elected to preside, and Mr D. Morgan, Aberdare. to the vice-chair. Messrs W. Jon«s, Mountam Ash. and D. Morgan, Rhendda, were appointed tellers, and the following were appointed Credential Committee :—Messrs Hy. Davies, Aberaxnan James Clemens, Neatb John WiUiams, Ynysy- bwl David Boynon, Maesteg Alfred Onions, Abercarn and Morgan Weeks, toittypridd. After a short discussion it was decided by a. majority of 28 to admit tb.. PNSS- tQ.,tb& Oon.. ference. REPORTS OF DELEGATES ON THE LATE NEGOTIATIONS. The CHAIRMAN called upon the delegates on the Sliding-scale Committee to submit verbal reports upon the recant negotiations, Mr ALFRED ONIONS first reported. He said that after Mr Abraham had intimated to the Slidin^-scale Committee that the men's epre- sentatives had plenary powers to negotiate, Sir Wm. Thomas Lewis delivered a very important statement. In th first place Sir William told them that there was very severe depression, not only in the coal trade but in every trade in tha country. In support of that statement he gava .'tflem as a fact—the accuracy of which he (Mr Onions) had not been able to test—that th turn over in the banks of the country for 1392 was 370 million pounds less than in 1891. Sir William then went on to refer to a decrease in the exports of coal from some of the northern ports. He also said that despite what had been declared at publio "meetings he had letters in his possession fto prove that the contracts made in the ■Yorkshire coal trado by the Yorkshire coalowrvrs were 2s per ton less for 1893 than those for 1892, i. VlZ., 9s for 1893 instead of lis for 1892, free on f board. Sir William proceeded to allude to the I increased keenness in foreign competition-com- petition which they in South Wales and Mon- mouthshire have chiefly to combat. He par- ticalarly mentioned that Japanese and Chines* coal waa driving Welsh coal out of the Indian 1 markets. Sir William spoke of the increased cost 5 of production at the collieries, apart from the general increase in wages compared with the Iwages received in 1888, and said he had in bis [ possession returns from a large number of collieries, proving that the average from those collieries showed an inorease of 19 per cent. for underground labour and of 24 per cent. ( for surface labour. This apart frwm the general increase in wages. Sir Wm. Thoenas Lewis went on to allude to the position in Sooth Wales and Monmouthshire compared with the counties of Durham and Northumberland, and to give sta- tistics proving that the output per man in those counties was greater than in Sooth Wales and Monmouthshire, and he attributed that chiefly to the double-shift system in the North. He told them that the double-shift gave the northern coal- owners greater facilities for producing coal than they had in South Wales and Monmouthshire. Another reason was that they had better roofs to deal with in the North than had to be contended with in South Wales and Monmouthshire. Sir William finished up a very elaborate statement by proposing that they revert to the scale of 1882, tinder which the percentage was 7%, instead of 10 per cent, in the shilling, t rom thestatementmade ft might appear to an uninitiated mind that the coa1 trade was in a most deplorable condition, though it was depressed it was not so bad as bad been described. Evary point in the state- ment was contested, and, to a very large extent, controverted by the men's delegates. The men proved that the competition was not so keen :1. Sir William had sought to prove, but there was one point they did not seek to controvert, and that was with regard to the turn over in the banks of the country having decreased. Affcsr discus- sing the question pro and con very fully they came to the point on Friday, the 20th inst., as to what they should do. The representatives of the men never considered seriously for a moment the proposition to revert to the scale of 1S32. (Hear, r' oplause.) With regard totherequest that th" si hould have a voice in the selling price ofcott, extracted something from the em- the following terms:—"With regard to i iest for a voice in determining the p. ce of coal, we are prepared to report ca.sSsJIy Vi a meeting of the coalowners the views expressed on behalf of the workmen, i^.aind each coakwvner that, so long as the wages are regulated by the sale price e>b*>i/ifjd I- r the coal, the- workmen are entitled to «,. ( 11s :o do our best, to prevent reckless com- pel ,1," (Hear, hear, and a laugh.) No doubt i^i'-ons might laugh at that, but he ev should thank it over before pass- j i nt on it. (Hear, hear, and laughter.) a was that it was a step in the right direction, ultiiough it did not contain any scheme to work out the principle* because it acknowledged that the workmen had a right to a voice in fixing the price of coal, ann they hoped to march on in the direction in which the proposal pointed. (Hear, hear). The men's representatives decided to accept that, provided they could get the 10 per cent. in the Is. They also decided to abandon the admi>lsi<Jn of the press and th umpire question, and tttey decided also that they would stick to havmg toe 10 per cent. in the Is. (Loud applause.) When they reported this to the employers, those gentlemen made some strong remarks as to the responsibility the men's representatives undertook in assuming that attitude bus there was no use of Sir William or anyone else making strong remarks, for that .was the final decision. (Hear, hear.) Some of the employers hinted that if the men had shown a conciliatory spirit they did not inoend to sdck at 7% per cent., and might have met tha man haif-way. So the negotiations broke down, and it was now for the Conference that day to sattle what the future course of action should be. Mr ISAAC hVANS pointed out, in Welsh, that Sir William Lewis, in spite of all the depression he spoke of, had not said the South Wales coal trade had decreased at all in 1892, aud he (Mr Evans), therefore, could not see how competition could have affected them to the extent Sir Wilham had contended. Sir William had also stated that the request for 10 per cent. was an absurd one, and that if they bad 10 per cent. they would be far above all other parts of the United Kingdom. This was true, but Sir William never asserted that the standards in other places were higher thau in South Wales. With regard to the ques- tion of the selling price of ceal, he said some of the employers appeared to think the men's repre- sentatives expected to have a man on the Coal Exchange to decide the price from day to day. There was no such desire. The contention of the men was that when the price had a downward tendency they should-be consulted^as to how low it should be allowed to go. That was all the men claimed. The reply of the employers on that point was a step in the right direction, but he did not consider it of much value. (A voice "It's not worth the paper itd written on.") He was glad someone else held a similar opinion. As to the argument that the cost of production had increased, they pointed out to the employers that this was not so any longer, the allowances having been reduced, and the cost was nothing like what it was in 1891. In conclusion, he said some person* had blamed them for not having settled. It was easy enough to settle. But what would be the result supposing they had settled upon the existing Scale, and that had given them another decrease this month ? And what would the men have said to them ? He considered they had done perfectly right to come back and explain the position to the men before making any further arrangements with the employers. (Hear, hear.) Mr DAVID MORGAN said there was only one emission in the excellent reports submitted by ivlr Onions and Mr Evans, and that had rofer- J ) the selling price of coal. They urged thai workmen should have a voice in the ff- V i of coal, and they asked Mr Edward D»v ~i; yf the Ocean Colliery Company, if it I fcrrc ■:hhe was guuty of making large con- tract0 Ox 9o. That gentleman replied that it a falsehood, and that he had not made a ">ntr«ct at near that figure. It was only right sha t v»ntleman should have th benefit of thia C'.v-jtr*diet.: JIl. (Hear, hear.) Mi P. J). REES remarked that it was true Mr :d'.wr-i L vies denied selling coal at 35 9d, but there w<*s <nother gentleman on the employers' > was accused of selling coal for 8s tri j for fittage, and he could not deny ic. (Shame.) Daring the negotiations Tt was suggested by the employers that the representatives of the workmen should in- duce their constituents to accept the double shift system in Wales as in England—(" Nover ")— and he warned his hearers to watch this move on the part of the employers. The object of the Welsh employers was to impose the double shift which they hated in Wales. ("We won't have it") A Delegate Mked for the name of the employer i-ef;"red to by Mr Rees. Mr DAVID MORGAN replied for Mr Rees, stating that tbe gentleman meant was the repre- sentative of the Powell Dutfryn-Mr Ogilvie— who, however, refused to say whether he had njade contracts at the figure quoted or not. In answer to a Delegate, Mr louAC EVANS explained the actual differ- ence between what the employers proposed and what the men proposed. He added that there was no doubt that if the scale of 1882 was accepted, the employers would accej t the 7s 8d standard; but the question was, where would they he as prices came down, or, if prices went I np. where would they be in comparison with other places ? THE QUESTION OF THE AUDIT. Mr ISAAC EVANS remarked that the arrange- 'I ment mutually agreed upon in December was, that no change should take place until the end of next month, that no ;mdit should take place in the meantime. But the employers had broken "MtL a.Q iadaoeBdemt auditor for the enuoloven having been going round the various collierie ("Shame.") The Chairman said unless a joint audit was taken, their wages could not be affectcd. Any { single, independent audit could not concern thern. A VOTE OF CONFIDENCE. Mr HENRY BOWEN (Tred^ar) moved a vote of1* ^confidence in tho men's representatives and; thanks to them for past sorv icj#. In doing so he A VOTE OF CONFIDENCE. Mr HENRY BOWEN (Tred^ar) moved a vote of1* ^confidence in tho men's representatives and; thanks to them for past sorv icj#. In doing so he said the mer. at his colliery were somewhat' divided a»-t^ the. action of the "men's repres&nta- tives, Waft convinpsd they had don-» what wus best. Tie regrrffea, however, to find that the tendency amenget the, men was to blamo the re- preseni&tiv-i* for what they could not bety. Mr W. JENKINS (Rhondda) scccnded. THE NOTICES OF THE COALOWNERS. A DELEGATK ask#d if there had been any official intimation from the employers of their intention to give a month's notice to the work- men ? 1 The CHAIRMAN scarcely thought that an oppor- ne moment to di.cU8:; this question, but to answer the interrogatory which had been put, he simply said "Yes." Tho proposition of thanks was carried amid acclamation. SCALE OR NO SCALE? THE QUESTION OF COMPROMISE. The CHAIRMAN calted for questions, but none being forthcoming, he returned thanks for the resolution of confidence and thanks. Proceeding, b* said they had now to decide as to the best means of endeavouring to finally arrange the questions in dispute between themselves and their employers. The meeting would have to do one of two thing3, i.e., either for them to accept the responsibility of instructing the representa- tives on the Sliding-scate Committee as to the next sterp to be taken, or that the collieries directly elect representatives to confer with the representatives on the Sliding-scala Committee. It would be remembered that at the close of the negotiations it was hinted that if there had been shown a conciliatory and compromising spirit on the part of the workmen's representatives, the employers would havo been prepared to meet them. That was an attempt to cast the onus of breaking up the negotiations upon the workmen, but it must be remembered that it was nearly eleven o'clock on the last possible night for carrying on negotiations that this hint of a com- promise was thrown out. But there it was and it stood forth as coming from the employers, and indicated that they considered the last word had not boon spokn, and were prepared to re-open negotiations for final settlement and a renewal of the scale. The acale of 1892 was a compromise between the scale of 1890 and 1882. It appeared to him that that was really the question which they had to consider—should they accept the hint thrown out and turn it into a proposition 1 They had been told that the employers' demand for heavy reductions was based upon the high cost of production. The trade had already become unsettled, and work at the collicries had, in consequence, suffered, If notices were given trade would become more unsettled. It would be more difficult to make contracts, and there would, of course, be less work. That being the case, it would certainly enhanoe the cost of production. (Mr P. D. Rees: Whose fault will that be ?) He was not discuss- ing whose fault it would bo he was only discuss- ing bhe probabilities and possibilities. If they were to come to an arrangement the sooner they did it the better for the trade of South Wales and the colliers. That it could be a long settlement was impossible. If they were compelled by the necessity of the times to make an arrangement, it did not change their opinions as to the justice of their claims. (Applause.) The wise course to pursue was to consider the time, and certainly not to dream of striking to enforce their claims in the face of a falling market. Thii was his opinion; and he asked his hearers to respect his views as be respected theirs. Ho had had the honour of representing them for fully 20 years. That experience was not lightly to be thrown away. (Hear, hear). His advice to- day was, and he had no hesitation in giving it, that the best thing for the miners of South Wales and Monmouthshire was to make an agreement, and to make it as speedily as they could. (Applause.) Mr D. MORGAN thoroughly agreed with every word the chairman had uttered. No num had ever been more firm than the miners' repre- sentatives were on this occasion, especially against receiving the scale of 1882. The time had come when they must do something or be without a scale at all, and the chairman's advice was the best for the meeting and for the colliers in South Wales and Monmouthshire at large. He believed that if the notices given that would damage trade, and the result would be a further depression in trade and he might say that the secretary of the men had an official document in his posseession saying that the notices would be given by tbe employers on Wednesday morning unless something definite wa.s done at I that meeting. Mr P. D. REES said if notices were given it would be the fault of the employers. (Hear, hoar.) H0 had experience «>nou £ h to know what the evils of a strika wore, but it was high time the miners of South Wales should protest against the reductions that were being made in their wages. (Hear, hear.) They could go on without a strike if the employers did not force one upon them, as he believed it would be madness to strike until they joined some body which knew how to organise. They had been told that they could get tho 8% per cent. scale back, but it would bo better for them to take the reductions without a scak) than ttrifi¡;n¿åny agreement for 3% per cent. They had had indication of what the employers had in mind—that was the double f<hIft. That vas what it was sought to introduce into the Welsh coalfield. If they went on with- out a scale it did noc vieaa that they were to striko but if they went.on for a little time they might be able to make a new cjale on a better basis than at present. hear.) Mr THOS. RICHARDS, Ebbw Vale, questioned the advisability of the leaders giving such expres- sions |of opinion ad had been given in presence of I the members of the Press. However, he agreed it would be madness to strike, even if they had half-a-million sterling, but he fait perfectly sure tbey were abl" to organise. If there were to be any compromise at all, unless they went the whole hog, it be between 8% and 10 percent., inasmuch as they had given notice to terminate the scale and the employers had not thought of it. He believed they would be asked to accopt a reduction whether there was a scale or not, and he thought it would be better to accept it without a scale, unless they got more than 8% per cent. They should decide whether it was to be 8% or a strike. After remarks by Mr Onions and Mr Morgan W eeks, Mr ISAAC EVANS expressed regret that the Chairman and Vice-Chairman had not taken the other members of the Sliding-scais Committee into their confidence before expressing their opinions as to what course should be pursued in the future. However much he agreed with tho principle of a Sliding-scale, he was not there to advocate a scale at too great a cost. He would not accept a scale at any price.. Whatever might be the result of a three or six months' strike, as God was his judge, before he accepted a scale at any price be would see himself and family starving. (Hear, hear. and applause.) Thac might be considered an inflammatory speech, but whether it was so or not it was his opinion. To accept a scale at 8% would mean reduction after reduction, and he would ask the miners if they were prepared to suffer any further reduc- tion ? (Load cries of "No.") Whilst in other I parts of the country men cutting coal were able to mamtain their wages, for the past 12 months those in South Wales and Monmouthshire had had their wages reduced 35 per cent. It was all very well for the mastets to say there would be no reduction next month. Let the masters give the assurance there would be none next month, or in the following months, and there would be some encouragement; but every report he saw showed nothing but reductions and the bringing of wages down to starvation point. If the whole-of the other members of the Sliding- scale Committee accepted 8% he would not; he would rather resign his position on the Committee first. He could not accept an arrangement which he knew would bring the wages down. Whilst there had been a Sliding-scale in South Wales and Monmouthshire there had been as many local strikes as in any district of the same magnitude m Great Britain, although, of course, there had not been a general Strike and the fluctuations of wnges since the scale was formed had been greater than in any district of a s:mitar size in the kingdom. It would be inconsistent to ask the man to go back to the 8%, and he hoped, for Heaven's sake, that would not be done. If their peace could not be maintained except at too high a price and without honour, let them take up the weapons of defence and defend their rights, come what might. The Gelly Delegate said the conclusion he had come to was that Wales could not afford longer to stand out of the National organisation. Their organisation in South Wales was a disgrace to them as colliers. As to the Sliding-scale, he declared that the masters would not have under- sold to the extent they had done if there had not been a Sliding-scale. After some observations from Mr RICHARD DAVIES (Ferndale), Mr BOWDEN expressed a doubt whether that meeting had power to do anything beyond receiving the report of their representatives on he Sliding-scale Committee. He proposed that they empower their repre- sentatives to agam confer with the employers, and leave the matter entirely in their hands. Mr GEO. EDWARDS (Dowlais) moved that the collieries be again appealed to as to future actaun, and that a report be submitted from the Con- ference. Mr ABRAHAM TYBBOT was pleased to find at last that members ot the Sliding-scale committee had some individuality and consciences of tlrair own. (Hear, hear, and laughter.) He was not authorised to accept any compromise under ten per cent. Mr CLEMENT (Neath) moved that nothing under ten per cent, be accepted, arguing that even that sum was not fair to the workmen, inasmuch as supposing the price went up 100 per cent. the employers would get 100 per cent., whilst at ten per cent. the men would only hairs 80 per cent. The only fair thing to the workmen was 12 per cent upon every shilling. Mr IIUGEES seconded. Mr DAVID MORGAN, in reference to the blame which was sought to be attached to Mr Abraham and himself tor expressing certain views in the presence of the press, askod was it their fault that the predS was there ? Mr Evans had com- plained that what the chairman and he had told them that day they bad not first communicated to their follaw-members on the Sliding-;scale Com- mittee. Now. he had to remind Mr Evans that he had expressed a similar opiniom on the Committee. Mr JOHN DAVIES (Hirwain) thought the whole question should be sent back to the coltiieriea to bo balloted upon. MI: Taos. DAVIES (Gelligaer member of the Scale Committee) corroborated Mr Morgan's statement as to tli9 view he had expressed in Committer, H» thought their ooiic,v should be one of compromise—that they should try to get I something between 8% and 10 per cent. Mr Thomas Davies and Mr T. Daronwy Isaac fchaving spoken, Mr LEWIS MILES, secretary, at this point, said j he had received the following letter from Mr1 jDalzie], secretary of tho Coalowners' Associa- *tion :— The Monmoothshire and South Wales Cealowners* j* Association, Cardiff, 25ti\ of January, 1893. r: Dear Sir,—Referring to your letter of Saturday last informing me' of the intention of the workmen's representatives on the Sliding-scale Committee to summon a meeting of delegates for Monday, the 30th inst., I am instructed to express the great surprise of of the employers' representatives that the importaa5 nmtters under consideration are thus ùelayed so IIn. L necessarily amI until it will be ptaCtically impossible for the owners afterwards to meet the workmen's representatives in time to make such arrangements as tbe employers may think expedient in the interests of the coal trade, on the 1st February. Under these circumstances, nd alJ it is evident that, the prop;)sel1 meeting of the-delegates has been fixed so as to prevent another meeting of the Sliding-scide Committee afterwa.rdf! in tit.otl to enable r the employers to consider the position, I am inuctcd to inform you that much as the employers would de- plr>re being obliged to resort to such a eourso, they will hav" no aiternative, under te presevt condition of trade, but to give tho necessary instructions, on the 31st inst., for giving tha notices to terminate contracts, unless in the meantime some definite arrangement made by the Sliding-scale Committee. Ho;>in¡; tø hear from you without delay, I remain, yours very truly, W. GASCOYXE DALZIEL, Secretary. Mr Lewis Miles, Miners' Secretary, Bedwas. Mr Mi Mi added that he had ascertntr.ecVtha employers were prepared to meet the miners' representatives on Tuesday morning in joint com- mittee. The CHAIRMAN said that showed tho employers' anxiety—as it was their own—to avord the necessity of giving notice if it was possible. Giving notice was the commencement of war and he deliberately declared that thoy should try to come to a settlement before notices wero given, It was pnssiblc tomake a better settlement before notices were given than after. (Hear, hear, and cri" of H V ute,") Mr ISAAC LEWIS, Dowlais, moved as an amend- ment :— That this meeting instructs the workmen's repre- sentatives 011 the Sliding-scale to arrange a me<>ting with tile, employers' representatives to-morrow (Tues- day) to reopen negotiations with a view to a final effort being made to enter into an arrangement before notices are issued to terminate contracts, and, failing such being made to enter into an arrangement before notices ar" issued t.) terminate contracts, and, iailinl1; such an arrangement being made, that it be left in the hands of tin workmen's representatives as to what [ question shall be submitted to the workmen to vote upon- A Delegate seconded. Mr W. JENKINS (Rhondda) said the 17 years during which the Sliding-saale had been m existence bad been the best 17 years in the coal tn'de of South Wales he had ever seen. ) On the vote being taken, there voted for Mr Lewis' amendment 96; and for the motion, 28. A. proposal was made that the words in the pro- position bo deleted, namely, "That it be left in tli* hands of the workmen's representatives as to what question shall be submitted to tha workmen to vote upon," but only six voted for it, the oiigini.1 proposition being carried as a substantive taoiion M it stood. MAJORITY v. MINORITY: AN IMPORTANT INSTRUCTION. I The CHAIRMAN a^ked if it waa the instruction of the meeting that the majority of their repre- sentatives on the Sliding-scale Committee should govern the minority. (Cries of "Yes.") A Delegate Has not that been always the case, Mr Chairman ? Mr ISAAC EVANS No, it has not. We have standing orders to regulate the committee, and we have passed a resolution that those orders should be maintained intact. The CHAIRMAN said ii was quite true they had standing orders, but it would be useless for them to leave that matter permitting those orders to be in force. The particular rule in question pro- vided that no scale should be signed if three members were against it. They must direct that the minority waa to be ruled by the majority, otherwise it would be folly for them to aik the employers to meet them. I Mr ISAAC EVANS declared he would resign his position on the committee rather than put his I hand to an agreement which meant a scale of 3% per cent., with nothing at the back of it. Mr P. D. REES made a similar statement, adding that Mr Weeks and other representatives held the same view. Therefore, if » scale was signed that day it might not have the endorsement of four or live representatives, and of what value would it be in governing all miners' wages in South Wales and Monmouthshire ?" The CHAIRMAN remarked that the attitude of Messrs Evans and Rees indicated that they were not willing to take the instructions of that Con- ference. Mr DAVID MORGAN, although a former believer in the standing order under discussion, had changed his opinion, and was now convinced that it was against the fundamental principles which governed society, viz., that the majority should prevail. A proposition was made, after an excited dis- cussion, that the standing order in question be suspended, and that the majority of the work- men's representatives on the Sliding-scale prevail over tho minority and this was carried by a large majority. the meeting then closed, having lasted from about 10.15 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., with an hours' in- terval for refreshments.

NEGOTIATIONS RE-OPENED. Another Failure to Agree. A renewed effort, made on Tuesday, to effect an arrangement between tho owners of the associated collieries in South Wales and Mon- mouthshire and their workmen, again came to nought. After deliberating for over seven hours the body that is known as the Sliding-scale Joint Committee—a Sliding-scale agreu.:ient being non-existent-finally separated without arriving at a mutua] understanding, with th., result that ths employers will to-day issue a month's notice to 100,000 men at 200 collieries to terminate engagements. The representatives of the employers and the workmen assembled at the Angel Hotel, Cardiif, on Tuesday morning—the men at as early an hour as 9.30; the owners an hour later. Until well on to noon the men discussed their positiou, and the proposals which they should put before the employers. It will not bo forgctten that In giving six months' notice to terminate en the 31st December last the Sliding-scale agreement, the workmen formulated four proposals, namely, the admission of the Prjss to the meetings of the committee the appointment of an umpire for matters which could not be otherwise settled the workmen tc havt a voice in the selling price of coal ana, lastly, a claim of 10 per cent, in the shilling, the percentage of the then existing scale being 8%, In the course of the negotiations which took placs in Drcomber and up to the 21st of last month, the first three of these proposals were dropped for the time being. The failure to come to an agreement by the 21st of January—till which time an extension of pre- vailing working terms had been arranged— arose in respect of the percentage question but the employers subsequently intimated their »willingness for the reopening of negotiations before tbey carried out an intention to issne notices. At the Conference of Delegates held in Cardiff on Monday, it was decided to fall in with this unofficial proposal of the employers, the general opinion of the meeting being that some compromise might be effected based upon the mean between the offer of the employers of 7% par cent. and the demand of the men for 10 per cent, in the shilling. It was to decide this point that the two parties again cams together on Tuesday. Tho long day's proceedings were principaHy noteworthy for the repeated separations of the sides to discuss "among themselves the proposals and counter-proposals submitted. Time and again did these separate consultations occur, and hour after hour passed by. and still no settlement. It is understood that the workmen's represen- tatives first urged their claim for 10 per cent., and this being combatted they gradually gave way to 9 per cent. On the other hand, the owners eventually conceded 8 per cent., and here a dead-lock occurred, neither side moving in a spirit of farther compromise. Arguments in the collective assembly, and consultations in separate bodies were alike vain, and a few minutes before eight o'clock at night camo the news of another indefinite suspension of negotiations.

NOTICES ISSUED AT THE COLLIERIES.' r Manifesto of the Men. The publication of the intelligence on Wed- nesday mornmg that the representatives of the owners and of the workmen at their meeting in Cardiff had failed to come to an agreement as to the basis of a new Sliding- scale, produced a feeling of disquiet and anxiety throughout South Wales and Monmouth- shire. It had been hoped after the unofficial intimation which had been conveyed to the men's leaders that the associated employers willing to re-open negotiations, and after the results of the conference of delegates on Monday, that a modus vivendi would be discovered, and the un- fortunate hitch between employer and employed removed. This, however, was not to be, as the outcome of protracted deliberations proved. At an early hour on Wednesday the following notice was posted at the top of each pit, whose owners are members of the Anewsiation :— Notice is hereby given to all the workmen employed at this colliery, excepting enginemen, stokers, firemen, and ostlers, that all the present contracts with them will terminate on the 28th day of February instant. Dated this 1st day of February, 1893. In many instances this ominous placard was the first intimation which the colliers had of the col- lapse ot the Sliding-scale negotiations, and con- siderable excitement was produced. The trades- people of the district, especially, are viewing the 'r crisis with feelings of alarm; woile. on the other hand, many of the miners themselves do not believe the Associated Coal- owners have the slightest intention of closing their pits. They expect that an im- mediate reduction in wages will be insisted upon as thfe condition of re-engagement, and the extent of that reduction is with them the only matter open to doubt. The meeting of the workmen's representatives on the defunct Sliding-scale Committee took place at the Grand Hotel, Cardiff, on Wednesday morning, as arranged on the previous night at the clese of the abortive joint conierence. The object of the meeting was to draw up a manifesto which should set out the Labour leaders' version I of the character of the previous day's proceedings. held with closed doors as usual, and the causes of the collapse. There was a full attendance, over which Mr W. Abraham, IVL P., presided. The I-proceedings werenotof uimgu&Hy lone duration, -+ and at their conclusion the following document was handed to the Press:— STATEMENT OF THE WORKMEN'S I CASE. Fellow Workmen,—Having, in accordance with your instructions at Monday's Conference, re- opened negotiations with the employers' >representatives with a view to make ta final effort to enter into an ^arrangement with them before notices were given, and, indeed, with a view to avoid the necessity of that extreme step being taken, it again becomes imperative upon us to report to you important facts with regard to those negotiations and the termination thereof, and also to ask you once more to meet us in conference to hear a fuller report and to consider the appended agenda You are already aware that on the 20th of January the negotiations were broken off by the employers refusing to move from their proposal to revert to the percentage of 7% to the shilling in the soling price of eoal as under the scale of 1882, with th." provisions of the 1892 scale. It is trne that about 10.40 on the night of the 20th January—at thelast minute, as it were, of the time that the employers had stipulated for the closing of the negotiations -they informed us that they were prepared to- meet us had we shown the slightest indication that we were willing to give up our claim to the full 10 per cent. on the shilling, as was stated at the last conference. This was the exact position of things when we met the employers at midday, January 31. Tuesday's meeting was, as usual, presided over by Sir WIN. Thomas Lewis, the vice-chair being occupied by Mr W. Abraham (Mabon),M.P., and the whole of your representati vea being present. At the commencement of the meeting a discussion took place as to the purport of the letter which our secretary, Mr Lewis Miles, had received from the employers' secretary, Mr W. Gascoyne Dalziel, which letter, you are aware, was read at our last Conference, and which letter, taken with the intimation given us at the close of the meeting on January 20th, led us to expect some offer from the employers. To our surprise, none was forthcoming, hence "it became imperative upon us to make a move, which we did in proposing to strike a mean between the 8% per cent. and the 10 per cent. This drew from them, in reply, the following proposal :-In order to preserve regular working, the own ers are pre pared to agree to a continuation of the present scale for three years from the 1st of January, 1893, subject to a percentage of 8 per cent. per shilling, and also subject to an arrangement between the employers and employed tor the removal of all allowances and considerations put on duriug the last four ¡" years, and also subject to a minute interpreting clause 9 A with relation to clause 23, and to a renewal of the mmute in reference to the adoption of clause nine of the 1890 agreement as olause nine of the 1892 agreement." We, in turn, informed the owners that we could not entertain such a proposal, but in order to prove our desire to avoid a rupture between employers and work- men in this district we proposed to accept the 9 per cent, scale with the provi- sions attached to the scale of 1892, provided that the employers agreed to an audit being taken for the three months, November, D?c?m- ber, and January, and any change resulting therefrom to take place on and from the 1st of March. This, again, the employers rejected, and offered a scale of 8% per cent. and the audit as proposed by our side, provided we would accept an immediate reduction of 2% per cent, on the 1st February, m anticipation ot the result of the audit proposed. the 1st February, m anticipation ot the result of the audit proposed. As the negotiations had already become pro- tracted, we ultimately informed the owners'side that we could not see our way clear to accept anything less than that which we had already proposed. The owners' representatives there- upon intimated that such being the case, we were to understand that all' ou, previous otfers made on their part were with. drawn, and that notices would be given on the 1st of February to terminate contracts betwt-en them and their workmen at all the associated collieries. TO THE MINERS Oi" MONMOUTHSHIRE AND SOUTH WALES. All collieries are earnestly requested to send delegates to a conference to be heJd an the Public Hall, Queen-street Arcade, Cardiff, on Monday, February 13, 1893, to commence at 10.30 a.m. sharp. Business :— 1.—To receive the report of the Sliding-scale i epresen ta tives. 2.—To consider our present position and what future steps should be taken. 3.—If further negotiations are to be carried on, who shall be the future representatives to conduct the same between you as workmen and employers? Credentials are to be filled up and presented by the delegates attending the conference, and •signed by the chairman or secretary of the Colliery Committee and on the understanding that the minority shall be governed by the deci- sion of the niaioritv.—We are. vours obediently. W. ABRAHAM. THOMAS RICHARDS. DAVID MORGAN. THOMAS DAVIES. ISAAC EVANS. MORGAN WEKKS. T. D. ISAAC. ALFRED ONIONS. DAVID BEYNON. P. D. REES. LEWIS MILKS, Secretary. Bed was, Feb. 1,1893.

THE TIN-PLATE TRADE. Malting at Llanelly. On Saturday atternoon a largely attended meeting of delegates representing the various works in the Llanelly district, which extends from Carrparthen to Penclavvdd, was held at the offices of the Tin-plaqe Workers' Union, Llanelly. The object of the meeting was to discuss a system of introducing a better organisation in the district and also to arouse the sympathy and assistance of tin-plate workers for the unemployed who were fighting against granting concessions at Penclawdd, Llangennech and Foxhole. All the works were represented, and it was eventually decided to divida the district into two divisions, each of which will elect a president, treasurer, secretary, aad assistant-secretary during the next fortnight. Om, of the divisions extends from Carmarthen, and includes some of the Llanelly Works, com- prising S3 miles, whilst thfl other embraces tho remainder of the works in the town, and several above it in the direction of Penclawdd and Pontardulais. During the past week Mr T. Benjamin, Abercarn (ex- President of the Union) and Mr W. Guy, Pen- clawdd (a member of the Executive) made a tour of the works with the object of rousing tin-plate workers into activity and to impress upon those branches which had been rather indifferent in the matter of contributions the necessity of comply- ing with the demands of the Union, especially with reference to the distress fund, for whibh we believe a contribution of 6d per week is asked. The premises which came from the various works were of a most gratifying nature, and it is believed that renewed activity and co-operation will soon characterise local tin-plate workers. In the evening an important meeting was held at the Parish-hall, under the presidency of Mr David Evans, of the Old Castlo Works. There was a fair audience. Reports were presented by delegates from the various works, all of them promising co-operation in the work of the Union. Mr THOMAS BENJAMIN, Abercarn, late presi- dent of the Union, said that It was well the tin- platers generally showed more interest in the trade than the workmen of Llanelly, and de- clared that if there were any body of men is the trade who enjoyed its sweets they were to be found in that town. Unfortunately Llanelly tinplaters did not rise to the occasion. They know very well that the Union had its birth at Llanelly, and be feared that if the present indifference and unfaithfulness would be allowed to continue much longer the consequences would be serious. Having referred to the excellent example recently set by the Western and other tinhouses for the Old Oastle Mills, and declaring that it would result in their mutual advantage if the same sturdy spirit spread to other works, the speaker explained that the Union paid about E300 out weekly in relief money. Unless some- thing were done to meet that expenditure, he feared they would be worsted in the fight, Happily matters were brightening a little, and he hoped they would still continue to do so. (Hear, hear.) Notwithstanding the fact that nearly half the trade was idle during last year nearly £12,000 had been contributed to the Union funds, in addition to about 22,000 towards the distress fund at Swansea. (Cheers.) He ap- pealed to them to remember their brethren who were suffering to-day. (Applause.) Mr THOMAS PHILLIPS, general secretary, then addressed the meeting in Welsh. An awakening had taken place among them, he said, and he trusted that tire result of the conference would be renewed activity and co-operation amongst the men in general. (Cheers.) They were now con- fronted with threedangers concessions, great and unreasonabledrivingat some works, and victimis- ing. They were told that the Old Lodge Company bad a perfect right to employ whomsoever they wished. Of course they had, but he contended that the district, on the other hand, had a just and moral right to ask that these men should be reinstated. (Applause.) He believed they should do all they could to assist the Old Lodge men whatever the consequences. (Applause.) He (the general secretary) had been told by the company that it was an oversight that the workman's name was omitted from the list, but when he informed Mr Peregrine that it could easily be remedied by promising him employment when the other mills started a reply was made that according to present arrangements that could not be so, which at once showed that there was a motive for his nowetnployment. A resolution was then moved, expressing the opinion that with the knowledge in possession of the meeting it believed that the Old Lodge workmen were being unjustly dealt with, and disapproving of the action of the directors and the management. At this stage of the proceedings Mr D. Randell, M.P., entered the hall, and was at once called upon to speak. After observing that he was present in order to show his sympathy with the object of the meeting, said that he quite en- dorsed what had been said by Mr Phillips as to an expression of feeling by the meeting with reference to what had taken place at the Old Lodge. He was quite prepared, if the meeting thought proper, to wait upon the manager of tbe works with Mr Phillips to ask if it was really t-n oversight on the part of the company that Mr Sherlock had not been reinstated and if it was an oversight, that they should correct it by giving a promise that when the other mills started, Mr Sherlock should be re-engaged. (Applause.) If the company chose to make their word good they would then be afforded an opportunity to give Mr Phillips and himself such a promise if not, they would draw their own inferences and would know what to do. It was not necessary for him to indicate what might possibly take place then, but k it WM sufficient tot tbe pcesept to CARIGJ out th* resolution and to wait on the manager Monday The resolution having been adopted with accla- mation, one of the Old Castle delegates proposed, and the South Wates Tiuhor.se Delegate seconded, that the suggestion of the lion, member to wait that the suggestion of the lion, member to wait with the General Secretary on Monday upon the manager of the Old Lodge Works be gladly- accepted by the meeting.—-This, again, having^ been unanimously carried, the proceedings terminated with the votes of thanks. Tha Tin-plate Workers' Union. The half-yearly meeting of the Monmouthshire,, and Gloucestershire districts of the above Union- was held at the vestry of Glyn Chapel, Ponty- ueister, on Saturday, Mr George Freeman (Lydney) presiding over a fair attendance of delegate. The principal business discussed by the meeting was the disorganised condition of several branches connected with the districts. The delegates were unanimously of the opinion that a determined effort should at ones be made to resuscitate those branche. and arrang-ments were made for holding meetings at an early dai. —In tho evening a public meeting was held, Mr Freeman again occupying the phair. Aduress-s were givwi by the Chairman, Mr Meyeick (vice- chairman), and Messrs Stephetis and S. Thomas (Executive members). Presentation to a Tin-plate Manager at Machen. On Saturday evening the men employed at the Waterloo Tin-plate Works, Machen, met at the Tredegar Arms, Machen. for the purpose of mak- • ing a presentation to Mr Thomas Day, late manager of the works, who is about to under- take the management of a tin plate works in France. At six o'clock the company j partook of a good supper, prepared by Mr and Mrs Williams. The after-dinner proceedings were presided over by Mr F. Haymond (mill manager), who, in the course of his opening Ad- dress, dwelt upon the good qnaiities of Mr Day, and said that the workmen were all sorry he had decided to leave them. Mr Day had had the interests of both the proprietor and the workmen at heart, and ha had spared no effort to conduce to their welfare. Whenever his counsel or ser- vices had been requisitioned, they had been immediately placed at their disposal. The were all sorry that Mr Day had left them but they all wished him God speed.—Complimentary speeches were afterwards delivered by Messrs Albert Jones (mechanic). Stuart, Charles Rees, and J. Rad- way.—Mr Edwin Lloyd then handed Mr Day a Malacca cane walking-stick, mounted in silver, a meerschaum pipe, and a Birmingham gauge, on behalf of the workmen, while Mr A. Jones s handed the same gentleman a model engine, which he (Mr Jones) stated he had made for the purpose of driving Mr Day's model tin mill.—Mr Day replied in a few well-chosen words, and stated that he was sorry to leave them. He had endeavoured to do his best while at Waterloo, and he was pleaded his services had been appreciated.—A number of other complimentary speeches were delivered, and a most enjoyable evening was brought to a close by a. vote of thanks to the chairman. Alleged Victimising at Llanelly. In pursuance of the resolution adopted at Saturday night's meeting of Llanelly tin-plate workers, Mr David Randell, M.P., and Mr Thomas Phillips, general secretary, waited on Monday afternoon upon Mr Richard Peregrine, the manager of the Old Lodge Works, Llanelly, with reference to the refusal to se-mstate Air Edward Sherlock, who was engaged as a shearer at tbe works before the stoppage. After a short interview. Mr Peregrine informed the two gentle- men that no change would be made in the present arrangements, nor could any promise be given as to the future employment of Mr Sherlock. The Melin Dispute. The following is the full text of the arbitrator's (Mr A. Lewis, Recorder of Carmarthen) decision respecting the long standing Melin dispute :— Whereas by an Agreement of Reference bear- ing date the 6th day of December, 1892, and made between Alexander H. Bartlett, A. T. Davies, W. N. Earle, and Ernest Trubshaw, being the arbitrators appointed by the masters' association of the one part, and Thomas Benjamin, William Allen, John Thomas, and Philemon Rees, being the arbitrators appointed by the men's association, of the other part, it was agreed that I, Arthur Lewis, should be appointed to act as umpire between thr, masters and the men for the purpose of settling a. certain dispute which had existed for long time at the Melyn Tin Works between the masters and the men. And whereas the said parties to the agreement now in recital further agreed to accept and abide by the award of me, the said Arthur Lewis, and that the points 111 dispute should bo restricted and defined as follows:—First, the rate of wages for dipping; second, whether there is any reason that crosses should be paid for at these works on the basis of one hundred and twelve pounds instead of the recognised standard of one hundred and forty pounds per box third, why any extra should be paid for risers on large plates. Now I, the aaid Arthur Lewis, having taken upon myself the burthen of this reference, and having duly weighed and considered the allegations made on behalf of the masters and of the men respectively, together with the documents and other matters ad- dncedin evidence bdoro, and havin pronally inspected the different processes, buth manual aud mechanical, now in una for washing and dipping tin plates at the Melyn Works aforesaid, do niako and publish this, my award, in writing cf and concerning the matters referred to me as follows, that is to say :— First I do award that the proper rata of wages for dipping at the Melyn Works is 2J per box secondly, I do award and find that there is no reason that crosses should be paid for at the Melyn Works on the basis of one hundred and twelve pounds instead of the recognised standard of one hundred and forty pounds per box thirdly, I do award and find that there is no reason why any extra should be paid for risers on large plates. In witness whereof I have here- unto set my hand this twenty-eighth day of January, one thousand eight hundred and ninety-three." Strike'at the Old Ledge Works, Llanelly. After a prolonged stoppoge, extending for about 12 months, at the Old Lodge Works, Llanelly, caused chiefly by tho depression in the trade, it is regrettable to state that a strike has occurred at the works this week. Opera- tions were only resumed on Wednesday week when four of the mills were set in motion, and hopes were entertained that the tin- house men would also start on Wednesday. The decision of the company to restart was re- ceived witb genera1 satisfaction amongst local tinplaters, but the events which have occurred during the past week have, unfortunately, re- sulted in the men being still out of employment. The dispute relating to the refusal of the com- pany to reinstate a former shearer has been well discussed, and meetings and interviews have been held with a view to arrivmg at a satisfactory solution, the negotiations, how- ever, proving unsuccessful. The millmen protested against the action of the company by presenting 24 hours' notice on Tuesday in the shape of a round robin," and consequently operations ceased on Wednesday. Immediately after the work ceased a notice was posted in the window of the company's office to the effect that contracts having ceased owing to the notice given by null- men, the company gave notice that all persons desiring employment should make a persoiial application to the manager, Mr R. Peregrine At a meeting held on Tuesday night the tin- plate workmen decided to express practical sympathy with the old Lodge men in the shape of a contribution of five per cent. from their wages to support them during their idleness.

DR PRICE'S VIEWS ON CREMATION. The following extracts from a series of sketches of the late Dr Price, contributed to the South Wales Weekly News by our Pontypridd representa- tive in the summer of 1888, may at the present moment be of interest. Our representative had a series of interviews with the Doctor, and in one of these the old gentleman spoke of having provided I in his will that his body should be cremated. When the will is published," added the Doctor, it will show the world what kind of will a person of my character would make. Yon see, I order that my body shall be burnt in a cer- tain specified place, and I direct that a prescribed quantity of coal shall be used on the occasion, and so when people know of it, they will exclaim, Oh, we know very well that Dr Price's body is to burned, for be orders it in • his will." Then you still believe that cremation is pre- ferable to burial ?" Certanly. It is unfair to the earth, to the air, to the waters, and to all living beings, .that carcases should be allowed to rot and decompose.' In a subsequent interview the journalist invited the doctor to. relate the circumstances connected with the burning of his child, in 1884. "T heard a good deal about it at the time," said our representative, but I suppose the published reports of your proceedings were greatly exaggerated. It was said, you know, that the child met its death by foul play. Would you mind relating the circumstances connected with the occurrence ?" Certainly, if you wish it," answered Dr Price but the rumour that the child died of anything but a natural death was a diabolical lie. The little fellow, whom I called lesu Grist (Jesus Christ), died of dentition when he was about five months old." You were the father of the child Yep, and for that reason I hold that I could- dispose of its body in the way I chose." But did the good folk of Llantrisant suspect thai you contemplated cremating it ?" I suppose they did. In fact, it was well known in the town that I had made my will 30 years previously, in which I directedSthat my own body should be cremated at my death. Weil, the child died 011 a Thursday evening, in the month of January, 1884, and on the foltowiug Sunday evening, the 13th of January, I took the body to the summit of the hill on Caerlan fields where I had a. huge cask containing half a barrel of paraffin oil. 1 put the body, well covered with napkins, into the cask, und then set lire to it, but before it had been burning fifteen minutes the police and a crowd of people came running up and interfered with the proceed- ings. The police took possession of the half- burned body, while the crowd, which seemed frantic with rage, hustled itie about as if I had been a malefactor, and some persons there threatened to put me ahve into the burning cask. You never saw such a row in your life. In the end I was locked up in the police-station, and in due course an inquest was held. The jury found that the child had died of dentition, and then the police applied to the coroner for permission to bury the body in the usual way. Of course I objected, and the coroner said that he could not interfere, so the authorities, much against their will, had to return the body to me. having first of all failed to extract a promise from me that I would not make a second attempt to burn it. On the 21st of March, 1084, I succeeded in carrying out my intention unmolested, and the body was burned In half a ton of coal on the Caerlan fields. In February previously I was tried before Mr Justice Stephen at the Cardiff Assizes for endeavouring to cremate the body on the 13th of January, but I succceded in proving that I had transgressed no law and his lordship, being of the same opinion, I was acquitted. Since then cremation has made rapid strides in public favour. I afterwards brought an action against Superintendent Matthews, Pontypridd, and P.S. Hoyle, Llantrisant (now of Tonypandy), to recover damages for lalse imprisonment. I con- ducted the case at the Swansea Assizes before Mr Justice Bowen, and the jury awarded me a farthing damages against Hoyle, but the action against the superintendent was non-suited." "By the way, Doctor," continued our repre- sentative, "is it not true that a large crowd attacked your dwelling during that time?" Yes, but I was not in it, and the cowards knew that very well." "Who, then, was in the house?" No one, but Miss Gwenllian Llewellyn, my housekpeper-the mother of the cremated child. She can speak for-herself." I suppose," said the interviewer, addressing Miss Llewellyn, a pleasant-looking, buxom woman of about 28, "yoU have a very lively recollection of the event ? Yes," she replied, and I never sball forget it. I remember that on that particular evening I was sitting half asleep near the fire, expecting the doctor home, when about ten o'clock I was startled to hear the loud howling of an infuriated crowd outside the house, and just as I was rising from my chair several large stones were hurled in through the window. Fortunately, the door was locked, and I had three or four dogs with me in the room, so I was not a bit afraid. The dogs barked furiously, and would have torn to pieces any man that would have dared enter the house. I had several firearms in my possession, and ha/ing loaded them I stood behind the dogs, holding a pistol in each hand. I gave the crowd to understand that I would shoot the first man that tried to force an entrance. By these means I kept them at bay, and eventually they dispersed. It was half-pastfc&leven that night when the doctor returned home, having spent the evening in eluding his pursuers." "Do you believe in cremation, Miss Llew. ellvn ?" Yes, I do." But who is to cremate Dr Price when he dies?" "I will," Miss Llewellyn replied promptly. If I had the courage to see my own child cre- mated, I surely ought not to be afraid to cremate Dr Price."

A man named William Cruris, of T has just died from the effects of hNt; ounces of spirits of ammoqia. 1',

The Westminster Gazette, in which form the old v Pall Mall Gazette will re-appear, was issued fo* the first time yesterday. It gives abundant j promise of perpetuating the noblest traditions ot the once famous Northuniherland-slreet orgaB»f} The first issue was anxiously awaited m LondoOi and copies were eagerly bought up. a Sir John Hudson, who succeeds Sir Georg^J Greaves in the Bombay command, as he p'aR'; viousiy followed him in that of the MeerU*,J district, has long been lecognized as ofl* of the most brilliant soldiers & the Indian Army. His record of field servieJI is a long and distinguished one. At tb* age of 22 he won laurels in the Persian war, and at 24, during the Indian Mutiny, Have'ock" whose daughter, by the way, he afterward* marrlPrl-was so struck by Hudson's ability as staff officer that he appointed him A.A.G. In Afghanistan in 1879 Hudson pleveD Roberts during his dash on Cabul from being sUr- J rounden and during the fighting some yeso later around Suakim he won fresh laurels. Hj*. jl rank, that of colonel, alone withheld from him tW J thanks of Parliament, but he received tbf. K.C.B., and was kept in Africa for some time p overnor-General of the Red Sea Littoral. M is now in his sixtieth year. Mr Swinburne has written an ode called and West," suggested by the forthcoming Chicks Exhibition. The ode has been set to music WfM Professor Stanford, and will shortly be by Messrs Novello, Ewer, and Co. There three stanzas. We quote the last:- So from England westward let the watch So for England eastward let the seas reply: JS Praise, honour, and love everlasting be sent 1 the wind's wiugs, westward and east, That the pride of the past and the pride of fnture may mingle as friends at feast, > And the sons of the lords of the world wide sf ■ be one till the world's life die. ■ I A Classical Novel Reading Union has be*jaH forined wjth a view to encourage a course systematic novel reading at the rate of -10 every two months." In every case the advice some competent authority is sought for gnidaO^B as to the proper and fruitful study of the booM» and in this way "Rotuola," Martiflr" Chuzzlewit," "Vanity Fair," "Westward and kindred works have already been dealt So far as this country is concerned, the inoll-ol .c, originated in Backworth but new circles 1 now in course of formation at many diffel'tll" centres. In La Ginie Civil there has appeared an acootl of an apparatus for cooling tbe condensing wa^J for a 70 horse-power engine. A tank was 6ft. 3in. by 3ft. 6in. by 2ft. 4in. This up by wooden partitions 4in. apart. The wadS water was delivered on the top edges of these titions, and trickled down them, while a stroW ourrent of air was driven upwards between partitions from a fan 3ft. llin. in diameter. vacuum of 27in. to 28in. of mercury obtained. The air pressure was '2m. of wa and its velocity 21ft. per second. The eva tion was about equal to the amount of feed wa- In accordance with the intention expressed Mr Herbert Vivian on behalf of the Comniife*^nj' of the Legitimist League, and, as it is undsJJWs* stood, in spite of the prohibition of Mr Lefevre, M.P., First Commissioner of Wo*mr. the Statue of Charles I, at Charing-cross decorated shortly before twelve o'clock Sunday night by members of the League. TbfljjM was no demonstration, the small party °| j| Legitimists being permitted to lay wreaths •jjB yellow immortelles, white camellias, and lasting flowers on the base of the pedestal stands the equestrian effigy of King Charles, waa executed on January 30, 1649. 11 I In the coterie of French Senators and Depog who will be prosecuted under the decision of t Pans examining magistrate by far the most spicuous personality is M. Albert Grevy. i personal appearance he closely rembl especially in profile, the late John Brig^*M Brother of an ex-President of the Republic, mcrly the blameless Governor-General of Alga for 21 years a Deputy without a stain on his re tat ion, he is called, at the age of 77, to justify a French criminal judge the presence of his nafljJK on the back of one of the seized Reinach cheq^Jf for 800 lire. He says the cheque was for P1"* Sessional services. JB A writer in the Japan Mail paints a very d tressing picture of the tortures which the feØ1 j children of the better classes in China undergo the compression of their feet. The fault of •levolting custom seems to lie at the door ot male population of China, whose ardent all professed admiration of this contortion of natu has given to the small foot a market value of 1. own. The actual method of this contorting described as necessitating a long process by mea. ,of straps and ligatures for the wrenching of tllf ,F t sinews and the crushing of the bones of sufferer, until the desired effect of d grcvyth is attained. 4 Here are two straws suggestive of the directi^JtB of tbe wind iu the matter of Lord Jors^y's abragB resignation of the Governorship of New Walss. First, be wanted to accompany Jersey on that excursion amongst the South SJJH Islands which she is now describing in the Ni\ teenth Century. The Premier (Sir George inierpost,d with a veto, and Lord Jersey had fH, •stay behind in Sydney and earn his salaJcW ^Secondly, Lord Jersey recommended for a knig*TIB hood Dr Arthur Renwick, the executive missioner from New South Wales to the Chi Exhibition, aud the name of Dr Renwick did "B figure in the latest batch of created knights. Lieut. Smoiloff, of the Russian army, trained the falcon to carry messages in lieu ef pigeon. T;; falcon has several advantages o^^B the ordin r carrier. A pigeon easily flies leagn- at .joeec! of eight to 10 ieagues an 110 bu: r tuic. C-iii it- easily cover 15 leagues an fc. 15 hours, wh n ts tbe pigeon rarely acc^BR p hes "inch a feat.. is on record that a f^ jjt irym th*: C-vriurj Inlands to the Duk*9Ht Lerme in Spain »>»u. r.ed from Andalusia'jR Teneritfe. oistance of 2b0 leagues, in 16 hoJJ The ,n also supp: rt a heavier despatch* jBk enc dr. 'ewer daii»rars f. "JlíI men or birds prey, is st:o»«ger atmosp •accident. Crows were wj.loyed ^ient ti1" as carriers Dr Lawson Tr:* t.ie eminent the city of Biriiunirn^in. 'vh'ct. u rjl j splendid certificate h.- ¡¡,> pun y it* :1.1 but such a certjtit for foul, filthy, lying that its enemas muss th-.r.k h:r.: fof^jgjB The Child's Guardirn with 'uo* wl London and elsewhere 20 tines ~r>.> tb*# SH Tait's, declares that on iii, IS place like Birmingham for vovi- proportion of liars to truth-speak- rs am0D[; young in Birmingham is three t: than m the rest of England. Can i. f stated, or is it not more likely that Tait has inadvertently maligned u governed city in tbe world ?" Although something is happily being remove from tbe magisterial bench in boroUij^B- the reproach of being packed with Tories, magistracy in couuties remains almost the poly of the Conservative party. We are in, that in order to deprive the Lord Ohl\nclIot. any excuse for interfering even by with the initiative of the Lords Lieutenft0 J^B counties, district benches ot magistrates H clerks of the peace are, through the Lieutenant, sending up lists to the Lord csllor as fast as possible in districts whe**SB| addition to the number of magistrates might thought necessary. Two or three LiberalsJj^M sometimes included in the list as a sop to pU opinion. What kind of a man does a woman admire A prize for the best answer to this question recently offered by Woman, who asked an ideal but for a real type, not for woman should admire, but for what the AVe woman does admire. Here is the prize de tion The man must interest by uncommoW1'9^^ f either m appearance or manner or be must the indescribable quality called "charm." ,^BK must be manly, as opposed to effeminate, an^JH|r one to be looked up to, as, under all cirC^M! stance?, certain to be upright. He must his own mind and steadily work thereto, eVefjj^B' masterfulness.. He will scorn meanness, so scorning, strengthen weaker folk to puf^v aside. He will keep faith and word is a not a talker of intended doiugs. He disref^9|H "they say," and is not one of a herd. friends are men—not women. He is only ^^B deceived by the same person. His perhaps temper never runs to unkindness. He abiding ppace of commonplaceness. He sympathy and solace in a sometimes "dlyMH discontent." He abides under "110 failnre, goes on. His occasional want of success attaches and rivets love. B