The Cardiff Times

REVOLUTIONARY PROCLAMATIONS IN MADRID. 4_Madeid, Saturday.—A large packet of revo- lutionary proclamations addressed to various ePuties was delivered at the Chamber to-day by *Porter connected with the building. On being ™|terrogated. the man declared he had received J~e packet from an unknown individual. The is now being investigated by the Civil ^vernor of Madrid.—Iteuter. <

[. SERIOUS ACCIDENT AT THE CHICAGO || EXHIBITION. •j « Saturday.—To-day, the closing day of International Women's Congress, which has ^een held here in connection with the World's '^eea?r during the past week, was marred by a ;jo5'0ns accident, in which, although there was nc in-8 ^e» several ladies were very badly 6eof-re^" the sitting was in progress a £ *«* of the flooring, twenty by thirty feet in forming the entrance to Washing- Hall in the Art Institute building, suddenly tj.*° way and fell to the ground, a ^stance of 12 feet, carrying down with it about women. The accident caused the greatest kJ?sternati°n among all those assembled in the j*1'' and shrieks rose from every part of the The cries of pain and terror were Ost alarming, and for a time the worst fears entertained. The debris was cleared away '2* all possible speed, and it was ther. found "one of the ladies had been killed, but (all of them Americans) had sustained »Ttlous injuries. Lady Aberdeen has been elected [.' K.es'dent of tlie International Council of the f 'Omen's Congress.—Reuter.

TERRIBLE TRAGEDY IN PARIS. » ^Bis, Saturday.—The keeper of a wine-shop jJJthe Q Jaciere quarter of this city, who had fallen '4o in- 'Jac' times, recently resolved with his wife -'ieir three children and then to put an cf t'le^r own existence. This morning two the children—a girl, 13 years of age, and a of 15—together with their mother, were kin5 dead at *lieir lodgings, having been ftni 'Jy shots from a revolver. The third child »ni! H*.e fr-ther. although fearfully wounded, were alive.—Reuter.

PANIC IN A PARISIAN THEATRE. laAJ*Isi Saturday.—The Theatre Francais was to,5, n,ght the scene of a panic which (j-Pkably would have led to a great q. aster but for the presence of mind tjJP^yed by tho actors on the stage. Shortly j^<ore midnight, during the performance of Les b :¡"ontt8, a loud noise as of crackling wood was jta;irc* from the top of the gallery. The alarm in- 07^'y spread through the house,and tho majority ji ">e audience rushed screaming and shouting to doors. Fortunately, M. le Bargy and M. Ie all!et, performers on the stage at the time, 6 Pk their heads, and assured tho audi- giCe that no danger need be apprehended. ortly afterwards M. Langier explained that the th 'Se Was caused by a bursting water pipe. In ^sh to the doors many ladies fainted, and Pe0? after they were carried out the Wormanca was resumed, the audience remained t!,rv°us and restless. Among those who kept seats when the alarm was raised were several js^> including Lady Russell (the wife of Sir Vf.a"ea Russell) and her son, Mr Charles Russell, r„?s Russell, Mr Inderwick, Q.C., and Miss •■Quervvick. —Reuter.

FIGHTING IN NICARAGUA, YORK, Monday.—The Herald's correspon- ¿nt at Grenada, Nicaragua, telegraphs that the a overrunent troops have commenced attack Position of the revolutionists at Barranca, £ e*iOet Dlfet by a vigorous tire from the insnr- U0(. ^ftillery. The result of the encounter is 'cnowu> but the revolutionists are confi- rm success.—Reuter. Wednesday.—The Herald's cor- to arJ at at Panama telegraphs that, according 068 reCB^ve(i there from Nicaragua, the 12 h battle took place on Saturday and lasted f0 °Urs> at the end of which the Government <je ?s were driven from the iield. In deserters, taJ-l and wounded, taken together, the Govern- 6 aimy has lost fully half its men, while the L; ,are reported to be demoialised and dis- tteartened .—Renter.

GREAT FIRE AT VIENNA. by Monday Afternoon.—A great fire R>> out this morning at Simmering, a suburb of l(-enila, and it is still raging. Twenty-one houses already been destroyed, and at the moment W* gtapking it is feared that one of the largest dJL8aloons 'n this district wiH also be burnt —Central A ews.

MINISTERIAL CRISIS IN ITALY. 1 .Monday Morning. — The Ministerial «a>ils ,stiH unsolved, The King again conferred [ Zhn J 8 .morning at the Quirinal with Signor jjOardelli, and that gentleman again advised his to decline to accept the resignation of Psp-°r in which, however, the latter because he knows pretty well that the Jjjjj te has resolved to throw out" the Pensioners It is estimated that 135 Senators will vote r £ *nst that measure, and 121 in its favour.— Mitral JVews.

SEQUEL TO THE PANAMA TRIALS. iw Tuesday.—The Court of Assizes to-day tjj6 Artou, well-known in connection with by ^a,iama scandals, to 20 years' penal servitude t{j for misappropriation of the funds of Civif^iete de Dynamite, and to five years' loss of f0f rights, and a fine of 400.000 francs and costs f corruption of M. Sans Leroy.—

AN AMERICAN TORNADO. YORK, Tuesday.—A violent tornado, {j^^Panied by torrents of rain, struck 'lieh • Ohio, this morning. A portion of f0r ^'Iding which was in course of construction r ^'eve^an^ Rolling Mill Company was ^e< a new steel cupola being blown to tl1 ground. Four men who were working on Wwrucfcure at the time were hurled from a ^eet» and two were crushed to jjj- while the others were so severely ^tal1 that their recovery is despaired of. A <*itv acc^ent also occurred in the heart of the when 20 men were working on a scaffold UD(J a chimney. When the storm came w' before the labourers could escape, the jfjiP'f structure collapsed. Four of the men were led on the spot, and the others were badly nJlred.—Rcuter.

EARTHQUAKE SHOCKS IN GREECE. 1UaVHENS' ^^ncsday. —Another shock of earth- I SejJ*? Was. *e't this morning, the centre of this 10 ^urbance being the town of Thebes, killwi rnanV houses fell in. One person was an^ several injured. Many of the in- ;ants are now camping out in the country, wJi-16 Government is sending tents for their c°Biniodation.—Reuter.

A DOUBLE EXECUTION. ^dh^DcEBURG' ednesday. —The man Buntroch foUQjls female accomplice Erbe, who were lately ^u'lty of robbing and murdering some The nt .girls, were both executed here to-day. tiseZ critninally enticed their victims by adver- ants offering good situations.—Reuter.

^SENSATIONAL SUICIDE AT NICE. Wednesday.—Last night a well-dressed Aveny 'nto the Cafe de la Regence in the thin_T! ~e Gare, sat down, and ordered some- A few minutes later other cus- I the n rc^ a pistol shot, and looking round saw tbrounewcomer lying dead on the floor, shot Cotnn Rh the head with a revolver bullet. He had Hian "ltted suicide. Enquiries showed tho dead at r Henry Monks, who had been staying A 'tee e tK °te^ de Geneve here. Dr. Gilchrist ^ase. AT the deceased suffered from mental •Hicirtl" -No other cause can be assigned for the —Renter.

Home Rule. DEMONSTRATION IN HYDE 4 PARK. "i Speeches by Irish M.P.'s. LONDON, Sunday. A great demonstration iu favour of the Homo Rule Bill took place in Hyde Park this after- noon. The gathering was organised by the Irish National League of Great Britain, in connection with the annual convention which w,as held in London on Saturday, and the promoters are; entitled to claim for it, both as regards the number of those who took part in it and the enthusiasm which animated them, that it was a decided success. Irishmen living in various parts of the Metropolis assembled in thousands, and their numbers were augmented by thousands of English Trades Unionists, labour organisations, political clubs, and other societies. Nearly every industrial occupation was represented, including strong contingents ef gas- workers, stevedores, coal porters, sailors, vestry employees, bricklayers, and labourers, and even castermongers and street vendors. Active sup- port was also given by a number of Liberal and Radical workmen's organisations. The proceedings began with a procession, which, as is usual on occasions of this kind, was formed on the Thames Embankment between Blackfriars and Westminster. Some of the contingents from far-off suburbs began their march to this place of rendezvous as early as half-past eleven o'clock in the morning, and by three o'clock in the afternoon most of them had arrived there. They made a large muster, and consider- able crowds assembled to see them. This necessitated the presence of a strong body of police, some of whom were mounted, to regulate • the traffic and, if necessary, to preserve order. In the latter respect their task was an easy one, for the crowd was good-humoured and orderly. The same remark applies to tho Park itself, where also large numbers of spectators assembled, and throughout there was no attempt at a hostile demonstration, nor indeed any interfer- ence with the demonstrators. The procession being formed, started on its progress to the park soon after three o'clock, proceeding along Northumberland-avenue, Pall Mall, St. James's- street, and Piccadilly to Hyde Park Corner. A.U the processionists wore green favours, some of them sprigs of shamrock, some green sashes, and each section was headed by a band. Numerous tanners of all sorts and colours were born aloft, and here and there the green flag of Ireland. On the first banner was the representa- tion of Mr Gladstone, but of the many others, few call for any special note. They were mostly either trade banners or political banners usually carried by the societies represented. That of the Irish National League, with the motto, God save Ireland," and another bearing a repre- sentation of Parliament House on College Green, with the motto "We shall have our own again," attractod a good deal of attention, and the Newington Reform Club displayed a conspicuous banner on which were the words, "Home Rule first, then London Reforms." The most original display made was that of a placard containing- a representation of six large rats, under which were the words Chamberlain, Jesse & Co." On the terrace of the National Liberal Club were some of the members to witness the departure of the procession, and cheers were given as the demonstrators passed along. In Trafalgar-square were many spectators, but no particular incident occurred on the way. Within Hyde Park, stretching away up to the Achilles statue, there was a large concourse of spectators, many of whom wore green favours. Slight cheers were given as the procession made its appearance, but most of the spectators looked on without any manifestation of feeling. The procession passed along the Broad-wark nearly as far as the Marble Arch, and then turn- ing round to the platforms. The platforms, for which waggons were used, were 12 in number, and were placed along in a straight line at a con- siderable distance apart on the turf in front of the Broad-walk. The procession, three or four deep, occupied nearly three-quarters of an hour entering the Park. Around each platform during the speaking was a large crowd, consisting of the processionists and many others who were already there when they arrived. To give an accurate estimate of the total number present is almost impossible, but the number was variously estimated at from 50,000 to 100,000 people. It was nearly five o'clock before the speaking began. Members of Parliament were the speakers at each platform, including Mr J. Dillon, Mr T. D. Sullivan, Mr T. P. O'Connor, Dr. Ambrose, Mr D: Carilly, Dr Tanner, Mr J. O'Oonnor, Dr. McDonnell, Mr Dadabbai Naoroji, Mr F. A. O'Keefe, Mr Joseph Arch, Mr G. H. Carvill, Mr D. Kilbride, JVI1 T. B. Curran, Mr C. Diamard, Capt. Donelan, Mr T. J. Condon, and Mr J. Hogan. It was, perhaps, at the the plat- form at which Mr Michael Davitt presided that the largest number of people congregated. The speaking at the various platforms pro- ceeded until six o'clock, then, at a given signal, the following resolution was passed simultaneously at each meeting :— That this monster meeting of the friends of. Irish freedom pledges its support to Mr Gladstone in his »obleefforts to close for ever the long and ùií:1.Stroos conflict between the people of England anil Ireland promises to him the full sympathy and undivided strength of the democracies of both nations, condemns the shameless obstruction by the Tory part.,ý, not only of Home Rule for Ireland, but of all measures of reform for the British masses in the House of Commons, and hails with satisfaction in case this obstruction is imitated in the House of Lords a conflict between the power of the people and the House of hereditary legislators. The gathering then dispersed in an orderly manner. yr -f ■1 ■■ The Annual Convention. The annual convention of the Irish National League of Great Britain was held on Saturday in the Westminster Town-hall. Mr T. P. O'Connor, M.P., the president, in his address, said they were very near the end of the Home Rule struggle. He did not think it wise to underrate the strength of opposing forces. Words could not exaggerate their ferocity and unscrupulousness. but facts were facts, and in spite of those tactics they had succeeded in passing the first two clauses of the Home Rule Bill, which, according to the Opposition themselves, contained the core and kernel and vital principle of the whole Bill. If the Opposition were mad enough-and he hoped they would be—to put the House of Lords in direct opposition and col- lision with the popular forces of the country, the Irish party could look with satisfaction to the prospect of burying both Dublin and the House of Lords. (Loud cheers.)

SAD DEATH OF A MAGISTRATE. Mr Coroner Settle held an inquest at Stockton on Monday on the death of Mr Mark Robinson, J.P., whose body was recovered from the Tees at Stockton. The deceased gentleman had been missing from his home at Mandale Farm for a week. The Rev. J. Solloway, Scarborough, brother-in-law of the deceased, deposed to havmg a conversation with him a month ago, when he seemed distressed with regard to business, though witness had no idea he would commit suicide.—Evidence of the recovery of the body having been given, Inspector Cameron said he found two letters on the deceased, written on paper with the heading—" Tee3 Saw Mills, X'hornaby, Robinson, Anderson, and Co." The first read :— Dear Anderson.—I cannot stand. Be as kind to Madge (deceased s wife) and bairns as you can. She has tried hard to keep me up, and true in all thing". Rose, Robinson, and N. Yorkshire blight me. I shall be better blotted out.—Yours, M. R. The other was as follows :— Dear Wife,—I cannot hold out longer. Head is ablaze. God help the dear bairns. I am weary of this life. May God ha.ve mercy on my soul. Send for Humphrey (a brother-in-law). He will advise as to farm. Key of desk enclosed. Accounts true in all things. We will meet in the better land. YOUR DISTRESSED HUSBAND. The letters were in pencil, and the writing was identified as deceased's.—The jury returned an open verdict, there being no evidence to show how the deceased got into the river.

Major Marindin, the well-known railway in- spector, has recently succeeded, through the death of his uncle, Mr Eden Colvile, to the beau- tiful estate of Craigthorn, situated in Fifeshire, on the banks of the Forth. Mr Colvile repre- sented in the female line the extinct historic Scotch barony of Colvile of Ochiltree

GR E A^T El ST ED D FO D*AT sP0 RTH. > An Enormous Attendance. Theilieed: of a suitable hospitalin the Rhdhdda » Va-Iley has long been felt, for, although the popu- lation is one of the most dense in the entire country, and the chief industry—that of coal getting—is proverbially dangerous, yet there is no hospital that can be regarded as in any way adequately meeting the requirements of the place. The good people of Porth have within^ the last two years rosclved that a hospital shall btl built, and on the measure of support they will receive will depend the size of i tho building. In the Rhondda, as in most other parts of urban Wales, there is no way of getting funds for the carrying out of laudable enter- prises so popular or so generally resorted to as that cf the holding of an eisteddfod, and the Porth people—true to this custom-held last year an eisteddfod which in magnitude far sur- passed any.previous gathering that had ever been held, excepting, of course, the national eisteddfod. It extended over two days, and was a tiemeudous success from an eisteddfodic as well as a financial point of view. With the exception of the chief choral prize of 100 guineas, which fell to the famous Dowlais Harmonic Society without a con- test, all the more important prizes were keenly competed for, and the contests on the whole were exceedingly good, those for brass bands, male voice choirs, and has. soloists being of the very highest standard. And oven in the chief choral event the singing of Dowlais was described as heavenly by such a man as Mr Tom Price, whilst Mr Venables, one of the finest choir trainers in England, said of it that if choral singing were judged by the highest standards, then it must be admitted that the very highest standard has been reached this day." All this will show that the eisteddfod was a memorable one in mere ways than one, and the result wa3 highly gratifying to the gentlemen who had worked so hard for its success. A snm of J3207 was realised and set aside tc form the nucleus of a cottage hospital fund. Since the holding of the first eisteddfod the committee—of whom Mr Thomas Richards, manager of the Coedcae Collieries, was chairman; Mr Isaac Jones, music dealer, treasurer; Mr Philip Watkins, Rivor-terrace, secretary; and Mr Henry Herbert, financial secretary—have received considerable support from friends who take an interest in philanthropic movements, and accordingly they entered upon the work of getting up another eisteddfod with light hearts. The eisteddfod was modelled on much the same lines as last year—the chief and second choral events were decided on the first day; while the brass band and male voice choral competitions were reserved for Whit-Tuesday. The eisteddfod conductor was the Rev E. Gurnos Jones, admittedly one of the best men for the post it is possible to find, and the accompanists were Mr J. E. Deacon, Cardiff, and Mr T. 1). Jones, Plasmarl, Swansea. The musical adjudica- tors were Mr Joseph Parry, Mus. Doc., Cardiff; Mr Edmoud H. Turpin, Mus. Doc., London ;and Mr D. W. Lewis, F.T.S.C., Brynatnan, while Gurnos decided the merits of the various literary and elocutionary competitors. Alderman H. N. DAVIES, Porth, who presided, after some few introductory remarks,said that the building of a cottage hospital in the Rhondda was a most desirable object. The committee had been working for that object ever since it had been decided upon, and they were now engaged upon some important details as to the number of beds, etc., and ho hoped that by the time the next eisteddfod was held they would see the building of the hospital an accomplished fact. (Applause.) A Bardic address having been given by Mr WM. LEWIS (Gwilym Glan Elwy), the competi- tions were taken up and disposed of 1D the fol- lowing order, viz. :— Pianoforte Solo for Children.—Three prizes, of the respective value of 10s, 7s 6d, and 5s (the first of which was given by Mr R. Thomas, Hannah-street, Porth) were offered for proficiency in pianoforte playing by children under 14 years of age. The test piece was dementi's First Sonatina (op. 36), and there were no fewer than 25 entries—a fact which ought to satisfy even the worst enemv of Wales that instrumental music is not wholly neglected in yr hen wlad." About half-a-dozen little people emerged success- fully from the preliminary test, andM this number two were little more than mere Mfants, so diminutive were they. Owing to the other adjudicators being engaged in conducting other preliminary tests, the work of awarding the prizes in the competition under notice fell to Mr J. E. Deacon, but his award was read by Mr W. W. Lewis, who arrived just in time to under- take that duty. The prizes were awarded as follows, viz.: First to Master JohnWebber, Mountain Ash; second to Miss Gwendoline Michael, Treorky; and third to Miss Mary Davies, Port Talbot. Contralto Solo Competition.—There were ten entries for the prize of 30s offered to the contralto singer who would best render the air, "In the battlo fame pursuing," with its accompanying recitative, "Great Prophetess, my soul's on fire." Of this number three were selected to appear before the audience at the marquee. The solo was a very difficult one, abounding with long "runs," which are well calculated to test the powers of the singer. Mr Turpin, in giving his award, said that all three singers had displayed various excellencies, bub they had some characteristic clefeots. Tho first had begun well, but she was faulty in enu«ct0tion» «,nd she had made too extensive use of the tremolo. The tremolo ought to have no part in a oontralto votee, winch was a noble voice. The voice of ^he second singer was IDore flexible, and more in keeping with the character of the piece selected. Her powers were more sustained, and hers was altogether a better per- formance. The third singer had a small voice, and her rendering was impeded at times* The adjudicators had therefore resolved to award the prize to the second singer. The successful com- petitor was Miss Edith Parry, Ystrad Rhondda, who is undoubtedly the best of our rising con- tralto vocalists. Englynion.—A prize of Bl w&s offered for the best set of six englynion—Welsh four-line stanzas—on "Uchelgais" (" Ambition "), and there were nine competitors. Gurnos, in making the award, said that one of the competitors had given Napoleon Bonaparte as an example of the. worst kind of ambition, and accused him of having the ambition to conquer Europe. But Napoleon was not snch an example; he had simply fought in self-defence, and he (Gurnos) looked upon him as one of the best friends the working man ever had. The prize was awarded to Mr William Phillips, Ystradgynlais. Recitation.—Mr J. R. James, grocer; Cymmer, had given through the committee a prize of 10s to the girl who would best render A ydyw dy galon yni teimlo." There were 10 competitors, but Gurnos said that one of them was so immensely superior to the others that he had not selected another than her to appear before the audience at the marquee. He proceeded to say that the recitation would be given after another competition would bo dis- posed of, but to this the audience would not listen, and there were loud cries of Where is she 2" "Letus hear her," and at last Gurnos said their request should be complied with. He had only sought to postpone the event to test whether or not the audience were taking an in- terest in what was going on. (Loud laughter.) The little girl then stepped forward and gave a capital rendering, and was afterwards invested with the prize by the president of the eisteddfod. Her name was announced as Miss Gwenllian Wil- liams, of Tynewydd, Treherbert, and she was 13 years of age. At the close of the recitation, Soprano Solo Competition.—The famous solo, 0 had I Jubal's Lyre," from Handel's Joshua, was the test piece for soprano soloists. The prize was 20s, given by Mr and Mrs R. Truman, Cymmer, and there were nine entries. But only two were deemed worthy to appear before the audience. The adjudicators said that the first singer had a good voice, but she had lost points by a faulty treatment of the slurs. The second, too, had a good voice, and she was, as it were, more together in her singing. In addition to compactness, she also scored on account of her superior rendering of the slurs, and accordingly she cairied off 'the prize. The successful com- petitor was Miss Maggie Drinkwater, Cardiff. Welsh Poem Competition.—A prize of three guineas, given by Mr Thomas Morgan, Rhondda Hotel, Cymmer, was offered for the best Welsh poem, to consist of -tlireo verses of eight lines each. Tho subra& :o £ the poem was Gwron y Danchwa (" The Hero of tho Explosion"), Md it was stipu- lated that the poem -must be suitable for music setting. There were 14 compositions sent to the secretary, and of these Gurnos declared that of LIef o'r Dyfnder," who turned out to be the Rev. Benjamin Davies, Panteg, Ystalyfera. On learning who was the winner, Gumos referred to the fact that Mr Davies was the co-winner of the crown prize for the heroic poetry at the Rhyl Eisteddfod with Iolo Carnarvon, and said that whatever equality there might have been on that occasion, there was none now, for Mr Davies was immensely superior to all the other competitors. Flute or Piccolo Solo Competition.—A three. guinea watch, given by Messrs Jones and Jones, music dealers, Hannah-street, was offered fortha best performance of any Welsh melody with variations on flute or piccolo. There were three entries, but when the competition was called none of the competitors answered to their names, and the contest accordingly fell through. Juvenile Choral Competition.—A prize of JB10 was offered for the best rendering of Dr. Parry's "The Trumpet shall Sound," by a choir of children's voices not less than 50 in number and not over 16 years of ago. Two choirs competed, viz., Clydach Vale Juvenile Choir, conducted by Mr David Thomas; and the Ynishir Juvonile Choir, conducted by Mr John Howells. Owing to a number of tho former choir having to go to Caerphilly by an early afternoon train, they were allowed to sing out of their proper order, and the competition was thus split up into two parts of a couple of hours' interval. The Cymmer Choir had also entered, but they failed to put in an appearance.—Mr D. W. Lewis gave a detailed adjudication, from which it appeared that neither of the choirs had given a rendering that was perfect. The prize was in the result awarded to the Clydach Vale Choir, whose conductor was represented by a friend. Essay Competition.—The only prose competi- tion was one in which a prize of three guineas was offered for the best essay in English or Welsh on Law, Instinct, and Reason, in their Relation to Man (" Cyfraith, Greddf, and Rheswm, yn eu. perthynas a dyn "). There were five competitors, and Gurnos caused considerable amusement by saying that two of them each Secured two marks out ot a possible fifteen, although they had written fautlessly and on beautiful foolscap. The winner was Mr Llewelyn Williams, Porth. Second Choral Competition.—In the second choral competition, which began shortly after two o'clock, the priae was £30, and the test piece was Alaw Ddu's ever-popular Y Gwlithyn" (" Tho Dewdrop.") Some surprise was folt when it was found that only five choirs had entered, for as a rule it is an easy matter to get a dozen entries where this piece is chosen. r Yet of.the five eotr«pts.fcwofailed.to, • put in an appearance. Tho other three choirs sang in the following order, viz., Maesteg Music Lrv?rs, conducted by Mr William Williams (Gwilym Taf); Dowlais Music Lovers, conducted by Mr David Lewis, and the Treorky Glee Singers, conducted by Mr George Thomas. Aftec a little dslay Dr. Parry delivered his award. Hr said he thought it was due .to his co-adjudicator, Dr. Tarpiit, that he should deliver his award in English. At the cat-set he must say tfc^t they were sorry to findtbat in the first choir the key, was given so often. The ears of the choir were close enough to the piano to have one chord struck at first instead of having the key struck fifteen or twenty times. In the first choir tho voices were good, and there w&.s gftod balance and harniOdisacion of the parte. The tone wasjrich and resonant, particularly in the top notes by the sopranos, but there was a slight inclination to force. In the second movement tho precision was good, and the tone was beauti- ful. He would like to draw the attention of choirs and all others to the habit of dropping the h's, a habit which was too prevalent. The Welsh language was so rich and so beautiful that they wished to retain all its distinctiveness. Through- out the performance tho choir had shown a most praiseworthy inclination to delicacy and elasticity of tone was rather good. Still, after all, the adjudicators felt there was room for im- provement. In the second choir the tone was hardly so delicate, and they were inclined at times to go out of tuire. 'The first movement finished somewhat out of tune. In the second movement the intonation was impure. Through- out the choir saDg with much feeling, but tho out the choir sang with much feeling, but tho voices were cloudy and the intonation was not as good ae it should have been. It was easy to see by the performance of the third choir that they were a young body of singers. In the second movement the attack was feeble, and throughout there was a lack of purity in tone. Before giving the award, he should like, on behalf of himself and his fellow-adjudicators, to ask the conductors of choirs to give up the bad habit which they had of beating time. The adjudicators were unani- mous in awarding the prize to the first choir, and the result was hailed with great applause. GREAT CHORAL COMPETITION. It was three o'clock when the second choral competition, was finished,, and at that time the marquee was more crowded than it had been at any previous time during the day, and hundreds, if not thousands, of people who preferred to enjoy the brilliant sunshine in the field crowded round the entrances to the pavilion to hear the great choral competition. After the award had been given in the second choral competition a slight delay took place owing to the adjudicators being absent, and the time was filled up by the whole audience singing the old hymn tune "Aber- ystwyth." This was repeated two or three times with thrilling effect, and immediately at its close the Merthyr United Choir mounted the platform to commence the great choral competition. As will be seen from my introductory remarks more than usual interest centred in the contest. It Was about a quarter to four o'clock when the Merthyr Choir commenced singing. It was a very large choir, and contained abotit a dozen members of the old Dowlais Choir. Mr Dan Davies was tho conductor. The choir received a most chilling reception, not a single cheer going up as 2fcfie singers got into position. The second choir to sing was the Rhym- ney TJr^ted Choir. numbering 201 voices, and conducted by Mr John Price. Unlike the Merthyr combination it has a record behind it, for Mr Price began low and has gradually worked up into the front rank. Its last achievement was the defeat of that remnant of the old Dowlais Choir that remained true to Mr Henry Smith after they had been deserted by Mr Davies. Rhymney was on Monday accompanied by Mr Harry Evans. Dowlais, A ringing outburst of applause greeted the appear- ance on the platform of the Morriston Choral Society, a comparatively young choir, whose most brilliant achievement was the defeat of the Llan- eJJy choir at Llanelly last October. They num- bered about 170 voices, and were under the leadership of Mr W. Penford Rowlands. The fourth choir to sing was the Rhondda Philhar- monic Society, conducted by Mr D. T. Prosser (Eos Cynlais). The choir "has had a very long, and on the whole a very brilliant career, which includes victories at the Merthyr and Brecon National Eisceddfodau. But little or nothing had been done by the choir since its defeat by Dowlais at the Ferndale Eisteddfod in 1891. Last of all came the Porth and Cymmer Choral Society, conducted by Mr Taliesin Hopkins. The choir first came into prominence about 1889, and scored three or four victories in two succes- sive days in the Rhondda. Two years ago they won the chief prize at Caerphilly, but after being beaten at Bndgend and Swansea nothing more was heard of them. By the measure of applause meted out to them it was easy to see that they were the favourites with the audience. It should be stated that the prize was of 100 guineas, and that the test piece was" Dies Irse" (Day of Vengeance"), from Cherubini's "Requiem Mass." The piece was one of the half-dozen chosen for competition at the Crystal Palace on the memorable occasion 20 years- ago, when the South Wales Choral Union, conducted by Caradbg, secured premier honours. Mr Turpin, on rising to give his award, was loudly applauded. He said that in competitions of this kind there were four points which should be couliueredj viz., technicality, ^ttSfireseion, the character of the musio sung, andF tho style of singing it. They had listened to five splendid performances, which had been chiefly successful as regards expression" and character but they had all more or less failed in points of style and technicality. Those remarks apply to nearly all the performances he had heard in Wales. In all that went straight to the heart tbe Welsh choirs had almost invariably succeeded. (Applause.) Reverting to the piece just sung, he said that tho words had been composed nearly 1,000 years ago by a monk. At that time people had been led to believejthatthe end of the world was near at hand, hence the habit of praying for the dead had been a fixed institution in tho Romish Church, and of the musicians who had expended their genius in dealing with this subject, Cherubini had excelled. The character of the piece was twofold. In the first place the speakers were spectators of those awful scenes, and in the second place they were human beings thinking of the day when they themselves should be standing before the awful Judgment Throne. Before dealing with the choirs in particular, be should like to congratulate them upon the changes of music chosen for competition. They had sung Handel, grand as he was, almost threadbare, and he was very glad to note that they were now givingattentloh to the works of other great masters. Another thing he was pleased to note was that they chose pieces written in more than one key. Dealing with the performance of each choir, he said that in the first choir there was a. little voice forcing at times; the time chosen, in his opinion, was beautiful; crosendos and such-like passages were well built up there were some parts better than others, par- ticularly in the piano accompaniment. He could not help thinking that where they used two pianos the music should be re-arranged and, of course, it would be better to have an orchestra. Many of the leads were well taken up, and from first to last tbe ^expression was really marvellous. The character of the composition had been admirably secured, and he and his fellow-adjudicators had been awe-struck by the performance. The chro- matic passages were beautifully done. As regards tho second choir, they were wanting in intensity of character, and some points had been mechani- cally done. In the piano passages the tone wanted breadth, the voices were at times faulty, but on the whole it was a fine perform- ance. The third choir was handicapped by having smaller numbers. This" prevented them from going through the piece in so grand a manner as they would otherwise have done. In the piano passages the tone was thin, and the same remarks applied to the leads. The expres- sion was not what it should have been, and all the lights and shades were not in agreement. In the fourth choir there were phrases wanting in vividity and sublime power; In some of the points there was really an intensity of feeling, but the choir had failed to produce a deeper emotion. The fifth choir began without any of those flourishes to which they were so accustomed in Wales. For his own part he could see no good in wasting and in hammering chords. In this matter the fifth choir had set a golden example which ethers would do well to follow, and they had un- doubtedly gained thereby. The piano passages were wanting in expression and in character, but their phrasing was most at fault. The tenor leads were the thing in their :perforrnance. In the final phrases they had forced slightly out of tune. It was a great j pity that there was nob a second prize. In com- petitions of this kind there was always a second prize performance, and it was apity that such a performance was not rewarded. He and his fellow-adjudicators had no option but to award the prize to the first choir, viz., Merthyr. Amid the applause which broke out, Mr Turpin essayed to say something more, but for a time his words could not be heard. When silence was to a certain extent restored, he said that the performance of the winning choir had been a perfect and an eloquent one, and one that wculd live in the memory of the adjudicators. Just before the close of the proceedings Mr Turpin called Maelgwyn to him, and said that he must repeat his regret that there had not been a second prize. Had there been one, he and the other adjudicators would have been glad to award it to the last choir that sang. He should be glad if in future promoters of choral competitions would include a second prize. The j proceedings then terminated for the day. liiTimbering Competition.—Two prizes of the respective value of 30s and 15s were offered for tho most efficient display cf timbering on a siding on the field. The contest took place at noon, and the adjudicators were Mr Dan Evans, Glamorgan Collieries Mr G. Thomas, Mardy Collieries Mr J. P. Williams, Cilely Colliery and Mr Philip Jones, Albion Colliery. There were 16 competi- tors, and the contest was watched with consider- able interest. During an interval in the chief choral competition,caused by the departure of one choir and the appearance cf its successor, Mr Griffith Thomas gave a detailed adjudication, J saying the first prize must go to Mr Joseph -Evans. Aberaman, Aberdar.°, and the second to Mr Wm. Rowlands, Llwynypia. The Second Day. The second day of the great eisteddfod at Porth dawned dull and cheerless, and throughout the morning the weather showed a most disagreeable change from that which prevailed on Monday. A thin, drizzling rain fell without intermission,: and a too high wind blew the spray intothe facesof those who came to the LlwynyceJyn'Field. The result of this unwelcome change from the glorious weather of the previous afternoon and evening was that the field in which the marquee and the smaller tents were placed soon became little else than a auagmire. The competitions were disposed of in the follow- ing order, viz. :— Pianoforte Solo.—A prize of £1 was offered for tha beat nerformance of Cornelius GurlittV" In the Twilight" on the pianoforte by a player under 17 years of age. There were no fewer than: 19 entries, but the preliminary competition brought down this number to fom., who played before the audience in the marquee. The com- petition was watched with a good deal of interest, each candidate for the prize coming in for a good deal of applause.—Mr Turpin said the prize must J go to the second performer, not only on account of superior merit, but also as regarded promise. The' successful competitor was Miss Maggie Griffiths, < CardiS. Recitation for Males.-MrsJohn Griffiths*^ Porth House, had given (through the •eisteddtocl committee) a prize of one gtiiiiea fer the best's recitation 1» a male of "The Hero of Cone- maugh" ("GVtfOn y Conemaugh"), a Welsh; poem descriptive of the-Johnstown disaster, abont; seventy lines in length, composed by the Rtev. T. Cynonfaxdd Edwards, and included in his "Reading and Writing." There were no less; than 28 names sent m to the committee, and the two best were seleefced to recite on the eisteddfod platform.—The conductor announced that the prize of one guinea would be divided between the two boys, and that the special prize, which amounted to half a guinea, would be given to the blind maD. (Applause.) The Jatter's name was Evan Jones, Abercanaid, Merthyr, and tbe boys were Master Arthur W. David, Port Talbot, and Master Abel J. Jones, Tonypandy. Tenor Solo Competition.—A prize of 30s, given by Miss Davies, Glanrhondda House, Porth, was offerex-ed for the best rendering of the famous solo, "Sound an Abrm," from Handel's Judas Maccabceus. There were 15 candidates for the prize, and the three best were selected to appear before the audience, and each of them was warmly cheered.—The prize went to the second performer, who was Mr David Howell; Gvvynalaw, Ferndale. Violin Solo Competition.—A prize of a-violin and outfit of. the value of thtee guineas was offered by Messrs Jones and Jones, music sellers, Porth, for the best performance on the violm of a selection from Lucia di Lammermoor, arranged by A. P. V. Hamme, and published by F. Pit- man, London. Of the eleven competitors who came forward at the ^preliminary rest four were' selected' to play before the audience. Tho winner was Master W. P. Rees. Maestjeg. The. award was received with considerable disfavour by the other competitors acd\their friexids. Welsh Poem Competition;->rA,prizaof ;E5,sup-; plemented by a small gold^ni h»rp suitable for; hanging at a watch chain, was offered for the' best Welsh poem, not exceeding 600 lines on "The Day of Pentecost^'—The winner was the: Rev. Benjamin Davies, Panteg, Ystalyfera, who was invested amid great applause. Ladies' Voice Choral Competition.—-The Porth Eisteddfod was the first gathering in South Wales in which a prize was offered for competition among choirs of ladies' voices. Such a. competi- tion when held at the Rhyl Eisteddfod last autumn proved one of the most successful, and certainly the moat attractive, event of the whole festival, but hitherto the South Wales eisteddfod promoters have set their faces against granting to ladies' choirs tbe same encouragement as they have for years given to choirs of the sterner sex. The offer of a. prize of J310 by the Porth Eisteddfod com- mittee brought out one choir only, which was about all that could be expected, when everything is taken into consideration. This choir was the Porth and Cymmer Ladies Choir, numbering about 30 voices, and conducted by Miss Wills, head-mistress of the higher grade school at Ferndale. The test piece was Schubert's "The Lord is my Shepherd," A very warm reception was given to the choir, for whom Miss Amott, Pontypridd, was the accompanist. At the con- clusion of the choir's task, Mr Turpin said that what they had just listened to wa.s,not-a,com- petition but a very meritorious performance. It won't be an act. of injustice to withhold the prize from the choir, even though there was no other competitor. Miscellaneous.—Miss Mary Davies, of the Imperial Hotel, Porth, gave through the ^com- mittee a. prize of one guinea. for the best hand- knitted woollen shawl, and in this competition, as well as the others of a similar nature, Mrs Davies, Imperial Hotel; Mrs Scott, Cardiff Mrs Davies, Bryngarw Miss Lewis, Caemawr and Miss Davies, Glanrbondda House, Porth, adjudi- cated. The other competition was for the best lace crocheted collarette for children, and the gentleman who made the award simply announced that the following competitors had been successful, without specifying in which contest they should be placed, viz.:— Mrs Martha Jane Davies, Mountain Ash Miss Cassie Gronow, Market-place, Pontypridd and Miss Ceinwen Davies, Portli. A prize for tho best specimen of water-colour painting (floral design) on terra-cotta was awarded to Miss Wills, Berkshire, a sister of theJady'USllO con- ducted the ladies' choir., 'L >„ Welsh Poem Competition.The second most important poetical competition was that in which a prize of £1 was offered for the best composition of eight verses, with eight lines to each verse, on the subject of the Passage of the Israelites' through the Red Sea (" Mynediad yr Israeliaid trwy y Mor Coch ")i—Gurnos said the best of the compositions was'that signed Othniel," but. the real name of the winner did not transpire. -L Bass Solo Competition.—The last solo competi- tion to be decided at the eisteddfod"wns,tbat jn which the basses were interested. The prize. was 30s, and the test piece "was the air, Pour: forth no more unheeded3 Prayer" with its '^accompanying recitative,. It, must be so," from Handel's Jcrtliiha. There "were 17 candidates for the prize, but only three of them passed the ordeal of the preliminary test. Mr Turpin awarded .the prize to the: first singer, who turhed out to be Mr Ivor,Foster, Penygraig, a pupil of Mrs Williams-Penn. > Another Walk Over.—A prize of jBl was oftered for the best performance of any piepe tobeselected by theoompetitor himself on any orchestral in- strument excluding the violin. Only two entries were received, but one of the competitors with- drew, and Mr Harry Protheroe, a member of the famous Cyfarthfa Band, was left the sole can- didate for the prize. Mr Protheroe gave a" • capital performance ef a'solo on the euphonium. Brass Band Competition,—Tbe brass band com- petition at Porth was invested with considerable interest on account of its providing the first op- portunity for what are regarded as the second-, class bands meeting the old veterans. Encouraged by their recent achievements such bands as Bethany Temperance, Blaina, and Dowlais boldly disputed the claims of such veterans aa Llanelly to the prize. The test piece was a selection from the operatic works pf Mozart, arranged by Mr Henry Round, Liverpool, and thero were three prizes of the respective value of £20, £10, and £5. Mr Ryan merely announced the result of the competition, which gave the first prize to Llanelly, the second to Blaina, and. third to; Aberavon. f Male Voice Duet Competition.—A prize of two guineas was offered to the tenor and bass who would best render Mr William Davies's new. duet, Byrdd bur i Gymru fad." The winners were Mr Wm. Williams (Gwilym Taf) and Mr Jenkin Rees, Maesteg. Marching Competition.—A prize of £ 2 was offered for the best marching by brass bands from the railway station to the pavilion, but,.although there were several entries, the rainy weather of the morning prevented more than two bands from competing. The prize was awarded to the Blaina Lancaster Band. Male Voice Choirs.—The last competition on the list was that for male voice choirs. The test piece was Ambrose Thomas's The Tyrol," one of the pieces selected for competition at the forth-* coming National Eisteddfod at Pontypridd, and the prize was the substantial-one of J340. Four choirs, including the Pontycymmer combination, had entered, but none of them put in an appear- ance with the exception of the Rhondda Glee Society, conducted bv Mr Tom Stephens. Dr. Parry said he was glad to know that that choir were going to take part in the competition at the International Eisteddfod at Chicago. (Applause.) As a. Welshman and a Welsh-American, he wished them and the other choir from Wales every success; but as one who knew the States he thought it his duty to give them a note of warn- ing. They must not undervalue the American choirs, for he could tell them that those choirs had attained a liigh degree of excellence. They had continued to make progress for the last 30 years to his own knowledge. Dealing with the performance to which they {had just listened, he said, in reference to the three T's, tone, tune, and time, they had all that could be desired. (Ap- plause.) The expression, too, was excellent. The first tenor had in ono note got slightly mixed. Tho forte was rich and sonorous, and thero had been some organ-like tones with the second basses. The various melodies were given with good effect throughout. The intonation, was very good. The tone was delicate, and yet vigorous when wanted; but throughout there had been no forcing. On the whole it was a splendid per- formance, carried out under a good and able conductor. The choir was well worthy of the prize. The announcement was received with great applause, and the choir was asked to sing again. They responded to the request with On the Ramparts," which was given with splendid effect. The marquee then rapidly emptied, and the eisteddfod came to an end about seven o'clock. The bands that competed at Porth are resolved to meet again in friendly rivalry at Ferndale on the first Monday in June, and they will have to meet bands that, for various reasons, were unable to attend the Whit. Monday contests. On the same day some of the best male voice choirs in Wales will compete for the prize of JB54. The prize of B50 for brass bands is the largest ever offered in Wales. Added to these attractions, Blondin will give one of his performances, and it is expected that about 50,000 persons will be present.

-t-" SAD SUICIDE AT STTMIUON'S; On Monday afternoon an inquest was held at. the police-station, St. Meltons, before Mr Roberts-Jones, coroner, of Cardiff, on the body of William Benjamin, an old and respected inhabitant of the neighbourhood. The evidence proved that the deceased had been for some time subject to much depression of spirits, which, resulted on Friday last in his hanging himself by a small rope to a branch in a hedge on Tynypwil Farm. It was remarkable that the branch was only a. couple of feet off the ground, the body of the deceased being found in an almost prostrate condition. He left a widow and seven children. The jury returned a verdict of Suicide whilst in an unsound state of mind."

ELLEN SWEENEY AGAIN. Her 257th Conviction. i The?Swansea magistrates on Tuesday sent Ellen Sweeney, the notorious drunkard, to > gaol for another month's imprisonment. This makes her 257th conviction. She had only been a day out when she again qualified for re-admission by -getting drunk and behaving in her own perculiarly disorderly manner.—At the same court Mary Norman, alias Lady Tichborne, was sent to araoIfor a month on her 99th conviction.

SOUTH WALES NEWS. CARDIFF. iNQCEST.—At: the Cardiff Town-hall, on TIRTS'* 'day evening, Mr E. B. Reece, the district coroner, presided over an inquiry into the circumstances attending the death of William Clifford Wilson, aged 10 months, who died somewhat suddenly on Monday morning.—Isabella Wilson, ot 23,Albert- street, mother of the deceased, deposed that she came to Cardiff on Friday last from London. The dhild was very dedicate in health, having been rnptiired since birth. It ditn on Monday moriilng about 12 o'clock, after only an hour's illness.—Dr. Gore-Sellan testified that death was due to an advanced stage of hernia., arid the jury concurring, a verdict to that effect Was returned. FETE AND GAM.—The third fete and gala within the present week was on Wednesday, when the Order of Buffaloes met for their annual carnival at the Sophia Gardens Field, in aid of the widows' and orphans' fund of the society. Preparatory to- proceedfng to thfe rendezvous of the day's amusement a procession was formed, and, accompanied by several bands, pataeedwte principal streets of the town. At the Gardens numerous enterftvmm^nts hfid been provided, and dancing on the green kept Up for the greater. part of the day to the strains of the Barry R. A. There was a Iserga attendance." FUNERAL OF Mrss JAMESI—Amid expressions of regret on all hands the funeral took place on Wednesday aftefrroon of Miss Annie James; headmistress of SplotliUlds Girls' School, whose Sudden and unexpected dteath occurred on the 19th inst. The funeral was of a semi-private character, and the cortege, which was a very long one, started from deceased's late residence, 19, StEfctey-road, Roath, shortly after two o'clock. The coffin, which was carried in a glass hearse, was of pblishSd oak, with handsome brass furniture,, and bore the usual inscription, giving nains, age, &c. It was literally hidden from view with beauti- ful wreaths. sent by sympathising rela- tives and friends. Following the hearse candour mourning coaches, containing Miss, Margaret'James, M& P. Phillips, Mr James, Mrs: James, Mr John Evans, Mr William Myans, Miss Alice Evans, Miss Maggie Evans, Masters Arthjrf and Iltyd James, Master Sidney Evans, MissHester Evans, Miss Emma, Evans, Mrs Price, Mrs Jones, Master Robert Airdrie, Mr John Thomas, Mr James, Rev. T. Griffiths, and the Rev. T. T. Jones, of Salem Baptist Chapel, of which place of worship deceased was a faithful and prominent member. Messrs Willmott, Green, Evans, and J. D. Thomas acted as bearers, while in the dozen or so cabs in the procession were Mr James Waugh, the headmaster of the Higher Grade School, Mr Evan Owen, &c. The interment took place at the new cemetery, the officiating clergy- men being the Rev. T. T. Jones and Rev. T. Griffiths. Mr J. Marsh, of 80, St. Mary-street, Cardiff, superintended and carried out the funeral arrangements. Miss M. James, 19, Stacey-road, Cardiff, feels deeply grateful for the very numerous expressions of sympathy which she has received in her sad bereavement, and, as she is utterly unable to reply to each personally, she hopes this acknowledgment will be received by al! as an'equivalent. ELEOTEIC LIGHTING OKDEB.—At a special meeting of the lighting committee, held on Wednesday morning, Mr Massey, consulting elec- trical engineer, suggested that the corporation should apply for an extension of the time of the provisional order; but it was pointed out that no complaint had been made, and agreed that.inas- much as before attempting to revoke the order the Board of Trade would hold an enquiry, nothing be done in the direction indicated. The members of the committee in attendance were Alderman Carey (m the chair), and Councillors Andrews, Cory, Evans, Munn" Morgan, and Short. A CAB ON FIRE.—At an early hour on Wednesday morning P.C. Dredge, of the Cardiff police .force, discovered a cab, belong- ing to Audrew Quantick, on fire at the rear of No. 10, Canal-parade. The fire was extinguished with buckets of water, but the vehicle was, with the exception of the wheels and shafts, destroyed. The cab was placed in the yard at 11.30 by the driver, John Owen, and it is surmised that the outbreak was caused by a lucifer match which someone had dropped while riding in^the convey- ance. The cab was insured. ( v V NEWPORT. EtiEftttON OF ADDITIONAL GUATIBLANS.Mr T. Moore, shipwright, and one of the two Labonr candidates, has withdrawn in favour of the Rev. WaJrond Skinner, Congregational minister, and there are several other withdrawals, but there will be contests in Newport Parish, St. Woolos, and Christchurch. The result of the contests will be made known on Friday. PROPOSED INFECTIOUS DISEASES HOSPITAL. At a meeting of the sanitary committee, on Tuesday, the mayor presiding, a petition signed by nearly 700 ratepayers was received against the proposal to erect) an infectious diseases hospital on land near the Board School at Alteryn. The memorialists, who" con- sisted mainly of those residing near, complained that the spot was difficult of access, that it would spoil the land for' residential pur- poseses, and that the sewage from such a building would pass through the full length of the drainage afof the town before it reached the outfit. They suggested that tbe site should be on agricultural land near the river and below the town, and that the drainage -of the building should bo. treated independently of the main drainage,—T,he memorial was referred to the sub- committee, who aro rnaturing a report on-the best; site* whicli can 1ja chosen. HOMING SOCIETY.—A race arranged by the members of the Baneswell Homing Society came off on Monday from Hereford. The distance is 40 miles, and nearly 50 birds competed. Eleven birds arrived home withm five minutes of the winning bird, which didthedistancein 67min. 49sec. It belonged to Mr J. M. Christopher; 2nd and 3rd, B. Barton 4th and 5th, W. C. Greenway. The 12th bird reached home in 74min. lOsec. THE TECHNICAL SCHOOLS.—At the monthly meeting of the technical instruction committee, on Tuesday evening, the secretary reported that 553 candidates had competed in the South Ken- sington and City Guilds examinations conducted in connection with the Newport Technical Schools. The number last year was 493, or an increase on the presentyear of 86. JEWISH WEDDING.—On Wednesday afternoon, at the Jews' Synagogue, was celebrated the nuptials of Rose Jacobs, eldest daughter of Mr E. Jacobs, Clytha-square, and Mr Lionel Harris, of Tredegar. Dr. Berlin, the rabbi, officiated, assisted by the Rev. J. Levy. There were six bridesmaids and two train bearers. The 'bride wore white bengaline silk and orange blossoms, and the lace veil was fixed with a diamond star brooch, the gift of the bridegroom. The brides- maids wore white surah silk, with violet velvet trimming, and white hats trimmed with ostrich feathers. The bridegroom's present to then* con- sisted of brooches with the monogram of the couple embossed thereon. Master. Arthur Jacobs, the bride's little brother, was dressed as a page. The bride and bridesmatds carried bouquets of choice flowers. The presents were numerous. There was a large congregation, in- cluding members of the Jewish community from all parts of South Wales. A luncheon for 200 guests was subsequently provided in. Skinner- street Chambers. SWANSEA.. HONOUR FOR A LOCAL MAN.—The newly-elected chief of the Order of Shepherds is a Swansea man, Mr J. F. Crawford, of Gorse-lane. Mr Crawford joined the order in 1875, when he became a mem- ber of the Pride of St. Thomas Lodge, and he soon became a prominent figure in friendly society movements. He was mainly instrumental in starting various lodges in the borough, and in 1876 in constituting them into a district with eight lodges and 300 members. By 1887 the district had extended to Neath and Llanelly, with 31 lodges and 2,000 members. CHOLERA PRECAUTIONS.—The port sanitary authority sub-committee, at a meeting on Wednesday, decided to recommend the engage- ment of the tug Antelope, which has been acquired by Mr Millward, at a rent of B20 a week, to be stationed in the Bay to intercept vessels from suspected ports. MISSING MONEY FOUND.—About £28, stolen in cash from the house of Mr John Lewis, cattle dealer, of Pentrepoeth, Morriston, last Saturday, has been found by Mr Lewis himself in the house under a pillow, where It must have been put .and forgotten. CADOXTON AND BARRY.. SHOCKING DISCOVERY.—About 11 o'clock on" Tuesday night, some men employed at 17 Tip, Barry Dock, found an elderly man lying on the metals of the empty road dead. On making inquiries it was ascer- tained that he was one of the crew of the barque West Glen, and, it is supposed, went to the tip to pick up a little coal, when one of the empty trucks running down the road knocked him down, killing him instantly. The deceased was in the cabin of the vessel at 10.20, and the last truck was tipped at 10.30, so the body must have been- lying where it was found at least half an bour. An inquest wlll-be held in due course. GOOD TEMPLART.— A Welsh Lodge of the Order of Good Templars has just been formed in Barry Dock, Jerusalem Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Chapel being fixed as the place of meeting. The following are the officers appointedLodge Deputy, Rev. W. Williams C.T., Mr J. D. Davies V.T.. Miss Meredith, Barry Dock P.C.T., Mr John Rees chaplain, Rev. W. Daniel secretary, Mr W. W. Williams; assistant secretary, Mr B. Ellis; marshal, Miss Lizzie Davies guard, Mr Daniel Lewis; warden, Mr T. S. Thomas; juvenile deputy, Mr J. Davies; treasurer, Mr D. Lougher. "On the opening night 21 members were elected, and there were present, representing the Rhondda district:—Mr D. J. Rees, district deputy, Trea- law Rev. T. Lloyd, curate, district secretary, Trealaw and Mr D. Jones, district treasurer, Trealaw. The meetings will be held weekly. PENARTH. GALLANTRY AT SEA.—Mrs Denn, of Arcot-, street, Penarth, on Tuesday cashed a cheque for £25, sent by the Shipping Federation. It will be remembered that Frederick Denn, of the s.s. Baron Hambr\ lost his life at Bordeaux on the 29th of last month in gallantly attempting to save the life of a Frenchman, who fell off a lighter. Unfortunately, both the men were drowned. The widow wishes to return her sincere thanks to the Federation. PORTHCAWL. ACCIDENTS.—Two unfortunate accidents, oc- curred here on Monday evening, wben, two young men, [hailing from Pontycymmer,. met with nasty accidents. One had his head injured by a blow with a quart jug. The other young man fell out of a nigh- flyer, breaking his arm in two places. Dr. Williams was called iD. and both patients were able tögÖbotnêby a late train after having their tespectivewoundsattendedto. DUNVANT.. KlSTEDITr6D. —On Whit-Monday. aitfeisip.dd-' fod on rather a large scale was held at this pJace, under tho presidency of Mr P. Richard, Hill- House, Sketty. There was a largo attendance. The competitions for the most part were evenly contested, and the awards of the different ad- judicators seemed to give every satisfaction to the competitors. The committee also had beefl most fortunate in their selection of conductor in the person of Mr D. Rowlands, Bankyfelin, Car- marthen, who managed to keep the audience in good humour throughout the proceedings by his quaint sayings and anecdotes. Mr R. Thomas, F.T.S.C., Cardiff, adjudicated the singing, Mr D. Rowland the poetry and essay, and Mr E. G. Davies, Dunvant, the prize bags. Alto solo, The Wayward Youth three competed best. Master John Thomas, Dunvant. Pianoforte. solo, "Be Merry and Wise;" six competitors; best, Miss E. A. Jones, Penclawdd. Soprano solo, I know that my Redeemer lmth." only one came forward, viz.. Miss James, Cetngdon, and she was awarded the prize. For the best six stanzas on Jonah, the prize was divided between Mr John Wilhainsi Coekett, and another whose name did not transpire. Solo tenc f, "Llougar Goleudy." Out of 11 compefrtors Mir Jones, PontardulaiSy came off victorious. Recita- tion, Y Bont ar Dam" Prize divided, between Mr John Williams, Cockett, and Mf- David Davies, Fforestfach. The prize big sent in by Mrs Roberts, Weig, FforesMacb, was adjudi- cated the best out of seveu. Male voice party, "DewrionFeibion Gwa]ia. Twb parties com- peted, VJZ.. Dunvant Party and Three Crosses Party, and the prize was awarded the latter. Bass solo, "Y Milwr Dewrsix competed;' best, Mr J. Morse. Ammanford. For the best1 essay on the late" John Penry, the Welsh; Martyr," four essays were sent in, and the prize', awarded to Mr Dd. Williams, Three Crosses. Duet, ''[Call to Arms." Sixcouplescompeted,and Mr J. Morse and Mr M. Jones carried off the prize. Only one party appeared on the platform to sing the quartette" Sleep, Gentle Lady," and it was awarded the-prize. Next carrie the, chief; event of' the day, viz. for the best > jendeang-of the ".Hallelujah^Chorus," for choirs not' unafer sixty in number, and for which apprize of J612 and a chair to the successful conductor was offered Three choirs entered this competition, viz., Dun- vant and Killay United Choir, led by Mr J, Peters; Three Crosses Choir, led by Eos Rhydian; and the Waunarlwydd Choir, led by Mr J. Griffiths. The last-named choir carried off the prize. In the evening a most successful con- cert was held, when the following artistes took part:—Miss S. J. Thomas (Llinos EUi), Messrs R. Thomas, U.C.W., Eos Rhidian, Thos. James. R.A.M., and D. Rowlands. Miss M. A. Jones, Swansea, proved a most efficient accompanist throughout the day. MERTHYR. INQUEST.—On Wednesday an inquest was liold by the coroner, at the Workhouse, upon the body of Elizabeth Newman, 79 years of age. It appeared deceased resided formerly at Penyard, and in the early part of the month she met with an accident, which resulted in a compound fracture of one of her legs.—The jury retorned! a verdict accordingly. ABERDARE-JUNCTION. J REFRESHMENTS AT THE RAILWAyf;fA'1'f8N;tMI:j At the Pontypridd Police-court on Wednesday, MrS. Evans, M.P., barrister, Neath, applied on j behalf of the Taff Vale Railway Company €or an ■ order to finally confirm the provisional grant which had been made>on a previous occasion and endorsed at Neath for the sale of refreshments at I the Aberdate Junction Railway-station. Mr! Ingledew, Cardiff, was present, and Mr Kens- hole, jun., Aberdare, represented the Mountain 1 Ash Local Board. Evidence was adduced show- j ing that the,premises and the bridge across the line had been inspected by Supt. Jones and given perfect satisfaction to him.—The Bench unhesi- tatingly finally confirmed the provisional grant. (BRECON. 'I CHORAL FESTIVAL. —At Bethel Calvinistic Methodist Chapel, Brecon, on Wednesday, some thirty churches, forming the Calvinistic Methodist monthly meeting of Breconsbire and Radnorshire, united in a choral festival, it being the third of the kind within the past ten years. j Over 1,000 vocalists took part, and some grand renderings of Welsh and English hymns took place. The conductors were Mr John 1 Thomas, Llanwrtyd, and Mr D. Jenkin^, Mus. Bac. (Cantab), Aberystwyth; and the accom- panists—piano, Miss Parry, Talybryn; har- monium, Miss E. M. Edwards, Brecon. At the afternoon meeting Mr Howell Powell (Lloegr) presided, and in the evening the chair was taken by Principal Owen Prys, M.A., Trefecca College. Addresses were delivered, in addition to those of the presidents, by Mr John Parry, Talybryn; Mr P. J. Wheldon. Crick- howeli:; Professor Williams, M.A., Trefecca College; and others. The festival was a pro- minent success. The chapel, which has accom- modation for some 1.200 people, wns filled at both meetings. Mr Llewellyn Williams, Dany- cefn, was bon. secretary for.the festival., MORRISTON. I f REV. GTVERFYL JAMES.—The namerotis friends of the Rev. Gwerfyl James will be glad to hear that be has returned to his native county, and that he preached thesre.i to large congregations last Sunday and Monday. The meetings were held specially to give the old minister a welcome on his return after an absence of 21 years. Th^re ,was an enormous attendance, and hun- dreds were obliged to turn back as they oould not get ( admittance. Rev. W. T. Francis, of Talybont, preached with Mr James. CRICKHOWELL. EISTEDDFOD.—The male voice party competi- tion at the eisteddfod was won by the Blaina party (Village Boys), and not by the Brynmawr Party, as stated in our report. LLANTWIT FARDRE. ¡ FESTIVAL.—On Tuesday a festival of oongrega-1 tional singing, in connection with the Baptist de- nomination of the above district, was held at J3alem Chapel, the conductor being Mr R. Rhedynog Price, G.T.S.C., Cardiff. The three meetings wore presided over by the following gentlemen Morning—Mr R. Morgan, Pentyrch; afternoon—Mr T. Thomas. Rhyd- felen; evening—Mr Evan Griffiths, Llantwit Fardre. The secretary was Mr Thos. Williams, Maesyffynon; and the accompanist. Miss E. Hopkins, Rhydfelen. A number of congrega- tional tunes from "Llawlyfr Moliant," together with the following, composed expressly for the occasion by the conductor, viz., "Emyn Foreuol" and "Clywch Be-roriaeth Swynol," were excellently rendered. Mr Philip Morgan, of Tafl's Well, also contributed two tunes, Buga-i) mwyn" and "Daw tyrfa'n iach i'r nefoedd." The popular anthem, "Nid i ni, 0 Arglwydd" (Rhedynog Price), was rendered most effectively, the last movement, Molwch yr Arglwydd," being repeated many times with great spirit. A choral J march, "Gwawr yr Efengyl" (W. H. Powell), was also rendered and Miss C. Williams, Llan-, twit Vardre, sang "Pa le mae'r Amen?" very creditably. The audience, although meagre at the morning meeting, owing to the unfavourable state of the weather, was fairly numerous at the afternoon and evening meetings. The singing throughout was of a high order, and both con- ductor and vocalists seemed to be imbued with a ,deep religious feeling.. '( AMMANFORD. y WATER SUPPLY.—The question of a water supply for the Ammanford district was again discussed at a. meeting of ratepayers held on Tuesday evening, the voting at the last meeting being deemed unsatisfactory. Alderman Richards was unanimously voted to the chair.—Mr J. Price made an able speech in opposition to going on headlong with any scheme until the matter had been thoroughly sifted, the water analysed, and the cost of both schemes ascertained.—Mr J. Davies seconded.—Mr W. N, Jones, Tirdail, followed.—Mr Samuel Callard,' of Pontamman Chemical Works, as a guardian and a member of the rural sanitary authority, was able to give very useful information of the course taken by that body in the matter.—After the reoeipt of the decision of the last meeting a good deal of cross- firing proceeded. The chairman was desired to introduce a resolution to meet both parties, for and against. Ultimately he proposed "That a. committee of 13 be selected to take evidence and prepare full details of drainage and water schemes, and present thesame to a future meeting; also to engage an expert, if required." Mr Callard added as a rider, And to consider and report the advisability or otherwise of getting a local board for the district."—This was put to the meeting and carried withouta single dissentient.

CHOLERA PRECAUTIONS AT CARDIFF. An inspection of the Champion steamer as she new lies in the West Bute Dock will convince any ratepayer that the Cardiff Health Committee have made a wise choice, and that the town is fortunate in having a local vessel so admirably adapted for the work in view. The Champion is. a large powerful tug owned by Messrs E.' Handcock and Tucker she is 91ft. by 18ft. 6in. by 9ft., and her breadth of beam enables tbe health authority to place upon her deck, aft, a house large enough to accommodate three patients at once, tho sufferers being thus spared the risk and difficulty of being taken down into a cabin. A large amount of space was needed also for the tank in which disinfectants will be stored, and for all the other paraphernalia that the sanitary inspectors require in the discharge of their duties. The steamer has just been thoroughly overhauled and re-fitted with new and more powerful boilers her engines are of 80-horse power; and she is a good sea-boat, if her quality in this respect should need to be put to the test. Tbe deck-house has not yet been shipped but-otherwise the steamer is ready at a moment's notice to commence its work in the Roads, the intention of the health officers being to follow the course of procedure finally adopted last year. namely, to meet and inspect vessels from infected ports as they come up into the Roads. Should cases of cholera be found on board, the sufferers will be taken off by the Champion and removed-to the hospital on the Flat Holm, whilst the infected ship. would be sent away to the mooring-ground. The Champion has had her tow-rails removed, and has now little of the appearance of a tug, but with her ample deck and general commodious appearance gives an impression as though it had been specially designed for the duty.

..L& The most northerly medical school in the world is at Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, the desolate island whose northern coast lies actually within the Arctic circle. WEDDING, KEEPER, AND ENGAGEMENT RINGS.— Great Variety at TÑnsh 1koi. Sigh-street. C&riM

THE POLICE COURTS. .¡. Alleged Criminal Assauit at Panteg. At the Pontypool Police-court, on Saturday, ■"Albert Franklen Moreton, a Great Western Rail. <way signalman, was charged, under the Criminal, • Law Amendment Act, with criminally assaulting a girl of 14 years, named Elizabeth Lester, at Panteg, on the 1st May. Mr Donald Maclean, '-Cardiff, prosecuted on behalf of the police, 'and Mr L. E. Webb, Pdirtypnol, defended.—The complainant, who was in service with the de- fendant, alleged that defendant assaulted her on the 1st May, as she was in the act of cleaning the kitchen, grate, and whilst his wife ana children were in bed. She also asserted that he entered her bed- room at three o'clock on the fclk>wim £ Friday morning, but that be did not do anything on that occasion. — Charlotte LeStfer, comp'ainanfc's grandmother, gave evidence as to the girl making a complaint, and Marv Ann Edmunds, cdmplauiant's mother, spoke to having an interview with defendant. — Dr. O'Keefe, Grifiithstown, who examined the complainant, said her condition might be consistent with the allegation.—Defendant's wife denied most of the statements made by the girl, and said that on the morning of the 1st of May she went downstairs a few minutes after the girl, and her husband was then working in the garden.—Three witnesses deposed to seeing defendant in the garden shortly after the time fixed by complainant for the assault- Defendant was also swern, and denied entirely the girl's statements, adding that the story was a fabrication from beginning to end.-—Defendant) was given an excellent character, and after con- sidering the evidence the bench decided totdis miss,-the, case. Serious Charge Agasnst a CeHfer. John Hughes,*a collier, who visited Cardiff. ov„ Whit-Monday, has found himself committed tc the sessions upon a serious indictment. He was brought before the magistrates on Tuesday charged with having indecently assaulted Emme Yeo, ,of Rutland-street, a pretty little girl of 12, and:, attempted to commit a rape upon her. The prosecutrix stated that she was standing: outside the Sophia Gardens on the even- iBg of Monday, when she was accosted by the prisoner, who bought her a ticket; of admission into the gala field. When they were inside the grounds he asked her to get under the rails where some bushes were. She did so, and he followed her. Then he assaulted her. A constable named George Young spoke to being- in plain clothes in tbe gardens, when bis attention was drawn to the prisoner on account of his sus- picious actions towards a girl who was with him, and who proved to be prosecutrix. He followed them, and saW: the prisoner and the girl go amongst the bushes. Hearing the girl cry out he leapt the rails and took the prisoner into custody. The man's attire was disarranged. Hughes now admitted the charge of indecency, but denied the more serious allegation. When committed to the sessions he pleaded hard for » fine to be imposed upon him, for the sake of his wife and children, who, hespid, would be broken- hearted. He was allowed bail, himself in £10 and one surety cf £10. Alleged False Pretences at Neath. At the Neath Borough Police-court on Tuesday —before the Mayor (Mr Evans Bevan) and the ex-Mayor (Mr J. D. Llewelljn)—a case was called in which Edmund Law, financier, Neatht charged Evan Davies, hosier, Tregaron, witfe obtaining money from him by false pretences on March. 22nd last.—Mr Edward Powell, who ap- peared for the prosecution, handed in letters from the defendant, in which he apologised if anything wrong had been done. A medical cer- tificate of his inability to attend was also put in. Mr Powell explained that the-charge could not ba gone into in the defendant's absence.—The court decided to adjourn the case for a week, in order to give defendajrtum opportanity to attend. If he/then fails to put in an appearance, a warrant to issue. There was no Dinner for Him. On Tuesday,Mary O'Leary charged her blisband Dennis, at the Cardiff Police-court, with hawing wilfully stabbed her in the lip with a pen-knife on Whit-Monday in Mary Ann-street. Com- plainant stated that her husband became very angry becausesbehadnodinnerreadyforhim. This arose from the fact that he had not given her any money for five weeks. He was cutting tobacco with a penknife, and with it he stabbed her on the mouth. She did not think, however, that he meant to do it; and she asked the court to merely bind him over to keep the peace towards ber. The bench entered into the forgiving disposition of the wife, and bound the husband over -to^e^of good behaviour.. i left in Charge at Risca.. = At Newpart Police-office, on Tuesday, Ann 1 Maria Cotterell, domestic servant, 22 years of age, from Devonshire, was charged with steal- ing £16 belonging to her master, Mr Thomas Yendall, chemist, etc., Risca. The prisoner was. in prosecutor's service, and was left in charge of the house whilst the family was away for thfe holidays. When they returned on Monday they found that the drawers in the bedroom, where the money had been deposited for safety, had beest opened and the contents gone. The servant pro. fessed to know nothing about it £5 had tieet: taken from one drawer and £11 from another The police were called in, and on soarch beim; made J315 odd was found wrapped in paper hidden on the top of the dresser in the kitchez^ and 9s 7%d in the prisoner's possession. She gave, no account as to how she became possessed of th. money, but pointed out that she was left iff charge of the house, and that the responsibility was too great for her.—Major Wallis, the magis^ trate before whom prisoner was brought, remanded her until Saturday. v Permitting Drunkenness. At Aberdare on Tuesday—before Messrs R. BL- Rhys, D. P. Davies, D. Davies, Dr. D. Davies, Dr. Evan Jones, and Dr. E. P. Evans—Silarf Evans, the landlord of the Park View, Trecynon, was summoned for this offence. Scrgt. Llewellyn k deposed that on the 10th inst. he went into the defendant's house. In a room behind the bar b. found a. man named Benjamin Thomas fast asleep, He had a glass of beer before him. Witness and1, defendant tried to wake him, but failed, and hi had to be carried out to the road, and subsequently taken to the station. When witness asked de- fenda.nt why he had supplied the man with drinif he denied doing so, and alleged that the man waf drunk when he came in, a statement be repeated at the court, but the Bench pointed out to hinr, that to allow the man to remain in the house wat: an offence.—Fined 50s and costs; the licence tf be endorsed.—Benjamin Thomas, the man founč¡ drunk on the premises, was then fined 10s ant costs. Theft from a Hospital Box, At Swansea on Tuesday, a boy nameGi Llewellyn Jones was charged with stealing hospital box containing a sum of money from i, boilermaker's office on the Strand on the 22nd inst.—Detective Griffiths proved arresting th<~ boy and charging him with the theft, when he admitted the charge, and said he had taken the money out and had given some to some boys. The detective recovered 9%d from two boys.—» The Bench considered the charge a very serious one for so young a boy, and sent him to air. industrial school for five years. The Police and the Telescope. Mr Richards, Danygraig Hotel, near Ponty.. pridd, was summoned for keeping his house opeir for the sale of mtoxicants during prohibited- boars. Mr Phillips defended.—The evidence showed that on Sunday morning week P.C.'v Thomas and Davies, from a secluded spot it couple of hundred yards away from the hotel, perceived by means of a binocular instrument IS', men entering the house and coming out within: the space of a quarter of an hour. The officers identified three men-Tomkïn, Lewis, and Curly —residing in the locality, and they were also summoned.—The landlord was fined £1, aud the other defendants 10s each. Assaults on the Police. At Merthyr on Wednesday, Ed. Davies was. charged with assaulting P.O. Doff on the night previous. The officer said that at ten minutes to twelve o'clock, when he was on the tramroad, two stones were thrown at him which fell near him, and lie saw prisoner run away. Prisoner was fined £1 and costs.—Patrick Harrington was charged with assaulting P.C. David Thomas ab Dowlais on the previous evening. The officer asserted that the prisoner beat him about tbe body and kicked him. Other men assisted the prisoner,, who was now fined 40s and costs, or, in default, one month's imprisonment. Alleged Robbery from the Person. At Merthyr Police-court on Wednesday, John Edwards was charged with stealing a watch worth £4- from the person of Walter Homes, of 65, Victoria-street, Dowlais, on the 20th instant. The two men were walking together from Dow- lais. and turned aside to the tram-road, and when arrested by P.C. Roberts, in Penydarren, prisoner said he thought to do a good turn for, prosecutor (who was the worse for drink) by taking care of his watch. Prisoner was com., '.mitted for trial to the quarter sessions. Sixteen Black Eyes in Two Years. John Jones, a stalwart young labourer, resident at 8, David-street, Newport, on Tuesday night accosted P.C. Cox, in Watchhouse-parade, in the Usk-side Borough, and said, "Lock me up." "I have no charge against you," answered the blue-coated gentleman. '■ I'll very soon make one," said Jones, and before the officer could interfere, Jones rushed at his wife, who was standing near, and stmck her in the face, blackening both her eyes. In consequence of this assault Jones made his first appearance before the magistrates in petty sessions assembled, oa Wed. nesday. Mrs Jones did not appear, and sent another woman to tell the court that she was as much to blame as her spouse, and bad brought it on herself. At the time Ml's Jones had a warrant against her husband for a former assaul t, and she then informed the officer that Jones ha.d given her 16 black eyes in two years. A witness now came forward and stated that just before the officer's appearance Mrs Jones threw a pint of beer over her husband.—Fined 10s 6d or 14 days' was the judgment of the court.

THE AUSTRALIAN BANK CRISIS. *j0T°NKy, Monday.—It is understood that the t}le '|rrWi<:nt Banking Bill, to be introduced in j8e f'^islative Assembly to-morrow, will author- of 0 ne Measurer to make advances on certificates totr-lt bank accounts up to 50 per cent. of the pet' ^ount, with discretionarj' power up to 75 [ Jjji. Cent. Payment will be made in Treasury WiliSu which will be legal tender. All accounts f 1 be treated alike.—Reuter.

'D5^NGE DISCOVERY OF SKELETONS. ^ratio113'- ^e(^nesciay.—During some digging 111 an. orchard at San Vincents, in the Ullearthf>rt ^'cante» five wooden boxes were Preserve?',anc^ 1Q each was found a perfectly 8tates ^\Teleton- villager, 92 years of age, A remembers perfectly well that when five jg .Army was encamped at San Vincente sornp -iSO'er3 were tried by court martial They Military offence and sentenced to death. Rs thev Fe S^ofc an<^ buried, not in the cemetery, ?Xecution Protestants, but at the place of v*no» ,n the orchard, where their remain- ^ere s9 strangely been found. The skeletons Ruths>;tv ate^y re-buried by order of the local 'ties.—Central News.

■_ ^JULU— 10 ALL SIGHTS, as recom medical profession.—Tainish, 5^ High- I

THE DOWAGER DUCHESS OF SUTHERLAND. The Dowager Dnchess of Sutherland will be released on Monday next from Holloway Prison. All efforts to obtain her release before that date have, we understand, been abandoned. Since the Home Secretary's decision on May 13th not to interfere with the finding of Sir Francis Jeune no further medical reports as to her condition have been sent officially to the Home Office, as her health has undergone no material change. She continues to take exercise twice a day, has her meals as usual, and receives visitors. At her grace's request the Prison Commissioners have permitted her to receive her dressmaker in the prison, as she complains that the heavy mourning costume which she has worn since her detention is now unsuitable to season and circumstances. Her grace has also been permitted to receive another visit from Mr Ladbury, her solicitor.

WAR VESSELST WRECKED. Lloyd's agent at Suez telegraphs that the Brazilian man-of-war Almirante Barrosa. has been totally wrecked near Rhas Gharib. ST. PETERSBURG, Monday. — The Russian cruiser Vitiatz, wnich grounded on a rook in the Bay of Lazareff, on the 29th ult., is expected to become a total loss. the vessel was built at a cost of six million of roubles.—Reuter.

The Right Hon. James Bryce has left town for Aberdeen on his way to Balmoral, where he is to act as Minister in attendance on the Queen. A RECENTLY PUBLISHED EEPORT ot the Histori- cal Manuscripts Commission contains a most interesting digest of the ancient records of the Corporation of Hereford, and some references to the making and selling of beer, are worth notice. 41 Alle," "Beere," and" Metheglen" (a beer made from honey) are frequently mentioned from 1513 to the end of that century. At various times, from 1513 to 1550, persons were indicted for putting hops in ale, there being a law in force against the practice. Little did the magistrates of that time think that in the nineteenth century one of the most paying industries in the county of Hereford would be the growing of this so-called "pernicious drug," and that the city itself should become famed for the brewing of a special beer, the Golden Sunlight Ale, whose excellence and flavour should greatly depend upon the very pick of Herefordshire hops being used in its brew- ing. Brewed only by Charles Watkins and Son, the Hereford Brewery, and sold by Agents throughout the kingdom. 13401—1190

THE DISASTER IN THE BRISTOL i CHANNEL. 1'- Inquest and Verdict. -jlhe • adjourned coroner's inquiry, into the1 !circumstances attending the death of William Jardine, A.B.,o £ the steamship Countess Evelyne, of Cardiff, and Doris de Otadney, an infant passenger, who*were drowned by the sinking of the vessel off Trevose Head on the 13th inst., was held at the Tunnel Hotel, Swansea, before •' Mr T. N. T. Strick. Mr Ivor Yachell, of Cardiff, appeared for the owners, officers, and the t relatives of the crew of the Countess Evelyne, and Dr. Raikes, instructed by Messrs Pritehard v and Sons, of London, appeared for the owners and officers of the City of Hamburg. The Spanish consul (Senor Lozano) was also present. The first witness called was Captain 13vans, of the Countess Evelyne. He said everything went well as far as Trevose Head, the sea being smooth and the air light. At a quarter to one, when about two and a half or three miles below TrevcseHead and about five mile-goff the shore, the Countess Evelyne encountered a. fog. The engines were then eased dead slow, and fogsignals were blown at intervals of two minutes. He and the second mate wero on the bridge and a look- out man was stationed in the fo'castle head. They went on thus for three-quarters cf a.n hour, the steamer going about two and a half knots per hour dead slow all the time. There was a current with them, so, allowing for that, the actual speed would be about three knots per hour. When about off Trevose Head he perceived the City cf Hamburg about a ship's length off, whereupon he at once stopped the engines, and just after that the City of Hamburg ran into the Countess Evelyne, striking her on the starboard quarter abaft the mam rigging. He (the captain) ran aft to see the extent of damage, and found the Evelyne was sinking under him, the City of Hamburg having struck the Countess Evelyne within a foot of the combings of the hatch. He got on the ship's rail, caught hold of the cable of the City of Hamburg, and got aboard her. About five minutes before the collision he heard a whistle from another ship, and two minutes after he again heard it. He thought the whistle came from the City of Hamburg. As to speed, he could not say how fast the City of Hamburg was steaming. The Countess Evelyne sank in about a minute or a minute and a half after she was struck, Part of the crew and some of the passengers were cn deck at the time of the collision. The donkey- man, William Thomas, was cn duty in the engine-room, and the second engineer might have been with him. The order to stop the engines was obeyed at once. By Dr. Raikes: He had no complaint to make with the way the boats were got out by the City of Hamburg, and ho was satisfied with the at- tempts made to save life. Jardine was alive when brought aboard the City of Hamburg, and died about an hour afterwards, everything being done for him that could be done. He thought the man was injured internally, for he recognised him and spoke to him. Cape Cornwall was passed at 10 a.m., and the Countess Evelyne was steering N.E. by E. half east—magnetic. At that time she was going full speed, about nine knots an hour, and there was a flood all the way from Cape Cornwall. At 12.45 p.m. the engines were eased down to dead slow. The Countess Evelyne would then be about two and a half or three miles from where the collision took place. When the first whistle was heard be altered his course and starboarded a point. Altogether ho heard three whistles. He answered the first whistle when he heard it with one long blast, and the second one he answered with two short blasts, to indicate that he was starboarded. Then he kept steady, and did not alter his course any further. On perceiving the other vessel he gave the order to stop the engines, the means of doing so beingby hand, and the order was at once obeyed. There was no order given to reverse the engines. Telegraph was at slow till the engines were stopped, but by word of mouth he bad directed dead slow, and the order was obeyed from the time the fog came on. The vessels werei about at right angles when they struck. The City of Hamburg was heading straight for the Evelyne. It was the port bow he saw. When struck tho Evelyne heeled ovor a good deal to port. Couldn't say whether she righted or not. The draught of water was 17 mean. Evan Richards, the mat9 of the Countess Evelyne, said he was below in his berth a' the time of the collision. Previously he had noticed that the engines had been going dead slow and he beard the fog horns. He bore out the testimony of the captain as to these. Ha felt a slight con- cussion, and heard someone in the engine-room shout Hurry up." He at once jumped out of his bunk with only his pants on and ran on deck. The vessel was at this time level with the water. He sprang to the City of Hamburg and got aboard through the hole in her bow. Patrick Kehoe, of 33, Seville-place, Dublin, master of the City of Hamburg, was then called, and deposed that he had been master of that vessel since 1882. Sho left Swansea on Saturday, the 13th inst., at three a.m., for Hamburg, with a mixed cargo. There were 18 hands on board. He left tho deck at 8.30 a.m., but was called about 12.30, as there was a fog. He could not make out the exact position of his vessel then, so he took soundings, which showed that there were 30 fathoms of water. As scon as he got on the bridge<k9 put engines dead slow* although previously she had been going full speed ahead They commenced to blow whistles about every two minutes, and ten minutes after one o'clock became awaro that another vessel was in the vicinity by a faint whistle. Two or three minutes afterwards they heard it repeated, and he then gave the order to port. The helm was put to port; the ship's course was put off two points and then steadied. He did not, however, give any distinguishing whistle that they had altered the course of the vessel. Subsequently he heard an attempt at a whistle, and then the bow of a ship loomed through the fog, and he instantly grasped the telegraph and put his ship full steam astern. The order was obeyed, and directly afterwards he shouted to the look-out man to inform the other vessel to go full steam ahead. In another moment or two the collision took place, as narrated by the previous witness. Allowing for the Hood-tide, he thought the speed of the vessel from the time he went on the bridge to the time of the accident would only be one-and-a-half knot an hour. James Stuart, of 108, Crossland-road, Govan, the first engineer of the City of Hamburg, said they were going at various speeds from eight o'clock until 12.40, when he received the order to go slow. At one o'clock he received an order to go dead slow. Thirty-five minutes afterwards he was ordered to go full speed astern, and shortly afterwards felt a slight shock. Examined by .Mr Vachell, witness said he had a second engineer's certificate. He kept an engineer's log, and wrote it up on Sunday evening at Swansea from marks on a painted door which he used like a blackboard. The marks were now rubbed off, but he had copied them into a scrap log, which he still had, and would swear that the entries were correct. Dr. William Monger, of Swansea, spoke to examining the bodies, and said Jardine died from shock owing to immersion in tho water, and that the little girl died from drowning. Theodore Dang, an A.B., and ship carpenter on board the City of Hamburg, who was the look-out man at the time of the collision, spoke to hearing fog whistles and reporting them to the bridge. These whistles were answered by his vessel. He could not speak as to whether any signals were whistled, as he had never been in a steamer before, having been used to sailing vessels. Henry Murphy, the chief mate on board the City of Hamburg, spoke to the picking up of the two bodies. The Coroner then reviewed the evidence, and said the question for the jury to consider, was whether the accident was caused by such cul- pable negligence as to justify a verdict of man- slaughter. After a long deliberation, the jury found that the death of the two deceased was due to a colli- sion off Trevose Head, which colision was due to accidental circumstances. The Mayor of Newpert's Fund. The Mayor of Newport has issued an appeal for donations to the fund which has been opened for the relief of those left by the disaster off Trevose Head, by which there are nine widows, 36 children, and six dependent relatives. As the greater number of bereaved ones reside in Newport, it is fitting that his worship should make the appeal. Mr James Ware, the owner, gives, as our readers know, £100; the Mayor of Newport, £20; Messrs Tapson (the brokers), £10 the ex mayor, £10 and there are 12 other donors of sums amounting to over JB30, included amongst them being Messrs J. Moses and Co. Col. Lyne, Messrs Beynon, and Mr L. G. Laurie for £5 each. On Saturday at several cf the ship- repairing works at Newport donations from the workmen were solicited, the proprietors placing their names at the head with a substantial sum, and no doubt others will follow so excellent an example. In one case, that of Mr C. H. Bailey's Tyne Engine Works, the proprietor gave £55s, and the workmen subscribed almost another JB5.

LOSS OF A CARDIFF-LADEN VESSEL. All Hands Saved. News reached Cardiff on Monday of. the-loss of the s.s. Cragside, of London, off the coast of Nova Scotia. All hands were saved. The Crag- side, on March 14th last, left Cardiff with a cargo of pitwood. machinery, and stores, for Vera Cruz. After an excellent passage and a quick run, especially having regard to the weather pre- vailing in the Atlantic at the time, she arrived at the Mexican port early in the first week in April. Having discharged her cargo she proceeded to Matanzas, in Cuba, to load sugar for Montreal. The steamer left the former port in duo course, and for some time all went well. Towards the end of last week, however, terrible weather was experienced, and a furious gale on Saturday drove her from her course. On the same night she struck a promontory on the coast of Nova Scotia, known as White Head, some miles to the west of Cape Canso. All hope of sav- ing the vessel was quickly abandoned, and the crew, about 26 hands all told, tookf to the boats, and happily succeeded, in landing in safety. The steamer City of Ghent reports having passed the wreck on Sunday near White Head. Tho lifeboats of the Cragside and two other boats wore observed drifting about, but of the steamer herself nothing was visible save the rigging and some broken spars.

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