The Cardiff Times

South Wales Coal Trade. OPERATION OF THE SLIDING- SCALE. Result ofrthe Audit. FURTHER REDUCTION IN WAGES. A meeting of the SHdmg-scale Joint Com- mitter, for the regulation of wages in the Mon- mcnthshire and South Wales coal trade, Was held on Saturday at the Angel Hotel, Cardiff, when the principal business was to receive the amlit for tli* past two month-?. The following was the official report furnished by the joint secretaries (Mr W. Q. D ilziel and Mr Lewis Miles);— "A meeting of the 8l:dinv-!lCà:I Joint Com- mittee Was held to day at the Angel Hotel to receive the report of the joint accountants (Messrs J. C- Kirl» and C. E. f arsons) on their audit of the coal owners' hooks for the two months ended April 39tli, 1893. As a result the Wfges payable to workmen at the Associated CtoMieries shall he 10 per cent. above the standard of Decfjrbtf, 1879, being a redaction of 3% per Cent, fts and from l«t June, 1893." FoR THE OWNBBS. FOR THE MO. W. T. LEWIS, W. ABRAHAM, ARCHIBALD HOOD, D. HORGAV, Seward JONES, T. D. ISAAC, JAMKS T. NBTTEEX, At.FRUD Osiottg, W. THOMAS, DAVID BBYNOK, OP.AK«S OQILVIK. P D. KBES, MONGAN H. JAMKS. Witnesses to the signatures of the parties terete, W. GASCOIGNE DALZTZLI Joint LEWIS Mrttts, /Secretaries. Messrs Edward P. Martin, T. Forster Brown. I MMi Edward Daviea wrote expressing regret at tbeir inability to attend. J The Ventre Colliery dispute was further con- sidered by the committee, and it was resolved to appoint Mr Archibald Hood to meet Mr W. j Abraham during the course of next week to fur- [ ther investigate the subject of the difficulty with J < view to effect a settlement. Evidence was also taken in regard to the dispute at Messrs the Patent Nut and Bolt Company's Henllys Col- liery. Mr Rafarel attended on behalf of the eompany, and Mr Geo. Jones and Mr Thomas (Stevens were witnesses for the workmen. Aftea hearing the facts of the dispute, the committee resolved to appoint Messrs Edward Jones and Alfred Onions to further inqnire into the details. fA petition was read from the workmen at the Hesolven Colliery asking the committee to bear a statement of the particulars of the dispute between themselves and the owners of the col- liery; and it was decided to arrange for the I Attendance of witnesses at the next meeting. The subject of the dispute between MeeSrs •Lancaster and Co. and the night men employed 60 their collieries was next entered into; and SmMmoeh as it was ascertained that Clause 17 of the Sliding-scale agreement had not benn com- plied with—that the respective parties bad not made an offer to settle the dis- pute before coming to the committee—it was determined to relegate the matter to the company and their workmen. The difficulty at Messrs D. and Son's Bodringallt Colliery was intro- duced on the owners' side, and the intimation Waa made by Mr Hannah, representing the tympany, that tho workmen, although they had ipesumed work after a week's stoppage on the terms existing* prior to the stoppage, they had Bofc, so far, expressed any willingness to refer the .matter to the committee. It was ftesolved, therefore, to defer the consideration of the question. On the owners' side, too,tbe dispute between Messrs the Rhymney Iron Company and the hauliers at the steam coal collieries was introduced. It was arranged that Mr Alfred Onions, for the workmen, should be asked to confer with Mr Thomas Richards, on the masters' Side, to investigate the facta of the dispute. It was arranged that another meeting of the com- mittee should be held duiing the next two or fbree months, with a view to consider the dis- putes at the Resolven and Rhymney Collieries. j Meeting of Miners' Representatives. f A meeting of the workmen's representatives I fftpon the sliaing-scale joint committee was held at fine Angel Hots], Cardiff, on Saturday morning ^previously to the joint meeting), to consider several questions in dispute at the various Tollieries in £ k>uth Wales and Monmouthshire. Mr W. Abrimam (Mabon), M. P., presided. Messrs Thomas Stephens and George Jones, workmen at the ^UenUya Colliery,, Cwmbran (Nut and Bolt Company), gave avidenoe in sup- port of their claim in respect to the matlaRe. naent reducing the heading prices, and the putting up of props in stalls without the usual payment for the same. In the case in dispute at the Lancaster Company's, Limited (Blaina), Messrs. Thomas Gnnter and Lewis Jones gave their evidence briefly to the effect that the management of late have been stopping the workmen employed on the night shift in these collieries, so as to evade paying the customary and acknowledged payment of six turns for working five night shifts. This is an infringement of an agreement arrived at some time ago by the workmen and officials of those collieries, and the custom in vogue at the majority of the collieries in South Wales and Monmonth- shire.—In each case the committee decided to support the men's reasonable claims before the joint committee. t- Mass Meeting of Miners at Treorky. On Saturday evening a crowded meeting of the workmen employed in the Abergorkey Colliery was held in the Assembly-room, under the pre- sidency of Mr Morgan Thomas, to hear speeches by Messrs Brace and Ben Davies, agents of the South Wales and Monmouthshire branch of the Mtners' Federation of Great Britain, upon the question of organisation.—Mr Brace, in the course of his remarks, srtid that he found that the miners .J)f South Wales and Monmouthshire had had another reduction in wages, an additional 3% per cent, which made a total redaction for the last two years of 10s in the jB. The most sanguine supporter Of the sliding-scale would agree with him that that was a lamentable state of things, and that the letter method of regulating wages was the one I which would prevent these kinds of reductions "Jaking place in future. As far as he was eon- -Serned the scale was not signed for the Federa- tion. The Federation was only waiting for a jnajority, and after having a majority and the aooperation of the miners of Great Britain, they would defy the employers of South Wales to order further reductions in wages.—Mr Ben Davies, Welsh agent, addressed the meeting in Welsh.—A cordial vote of thanks to the agents and the chairman brought the proceedings to a ciosft

THE TIN-PLATE TRADE. Meetihgofthe Uanelly District. From all accounts the condition of the tin-plate workmen out of employment at Llangenneoh, Foxhole, and Penclawdd is most deplorable. The men, it will be remembered, have been out of work ffllt awar a twelvemonth, and are asked to go itt »t a concession. This they have, so far, refttsed to do, relying for support upon their more fortunate fellow workmen. But the position has undoubtedly become critical. The measure of support accorded to thetaenoutof work has been falling away, particularly in the Llanelly district, Which should be the district most earnest and constant in their contributions. So serious has the position become that unless contributions are made more freely and more regularly the men will have to go in at a concession, A meeting to consider the position of affairs was held at the Athenaeum-hall, Llan- elly, on Saturday evening last, when the chair- man of the district (Mr David Evans) took the ehair, supported by the general secretary and Mr Thomas Phillips (the ex-president), Mr Thomas Benjamin, together with Mr Guy and Mr liodwig. The CHAIRMAN said the question of supporting the men at Penclawdd, Foxhole, Llangennech, and Carmarthen was of supreme moment. It really had come to this—" Was the struggle to go on or was it to end by the men going in at a conoession ?" They, as a district at Llanelly, had certainly not done their duty, and unices they realised their position shortly and returned their contributions it would be a sad plight for them all. If these men went in on a conoession they would know what to expect. Aa •So the payment of 5 per cent. on their namings as a complete fulfilment of the obligations both to the ordinary funds of the Union and to the men out of wtnfk, it had been claimed by some that that contribu- tion was too heavy. But he would put it to them in a plain way, that it was better to make that contribution of 5 per cent, on their earnings father than they should accept a 10 per cent. reduction. That is what it came to. Mr T. PHILLIPS, the general secretary, was then called upon, and said that during the six weeks ending the previous Saturday a sum of .1,266 had been paid into the Union, out of which Llanelly had only contributed £2210." and )bat sum had been given by one works. The delegates from the different branches were ihen called upon to speak, and in most cases a I deplorable falling of interest was made manifest, »t«K nigh, on the other hand, a strong determma- I Aion was shown to be truer to the principles of XCades Unionism in the future. Speeches were then delivered by the delegates Mr T. Benjamin, Mr W. Guy, and Mr D. Lod- >»ig also spoke. The delegates, one and all, were extremely anxious that another week should be given in which to hold branch meetinga. It wa», however, in reply pointed out by mem- bers of the executive that promises to hold meet- ings bad been made from time to time, but had gone unredeemed. No such permission could, therefore, be given, and that the entire matter would have to be decided by the meeting of the executive to be held in Swansea on Monday (to- day)- Hints were thrown out that the men out nf work would be given permission to come to the Uanelly works and seek occupation at 10 per "9*1. redaction, and the general opinion is that such a resolution will be passed by the executive at their meetiag today. An OLD CASTIE DKUSGATK moved :—" That this district will at cnca collect the 5 per cent. demanded by the Union towards the maintenance of the Penclawdd, Foxhole, Hangenaech, and Carmarthen teen." A WESTIBN DBMQATK seconded, and it was carried. The decision of the executive is moaliwhile awaited with great interest. Meeting of the Neath District. All important annual meeting of tinplafcere of the Neath district was held at the Vale of Neath Arms, Neath, on Saturday night. There was a Very large attendance. The following were amongst the works represented !—Aberdare. Ciifiew, Aberdulais, Cafdonnel, Melyn, Eagle, Jersey, Vernon, Bag] an Bay, Victoria, and Qwalix. It was stated by one of the Glyne tnen that in future Ciyne would be represented St district meetings. Mr Philemon Reea occupied the chair. Special interest was abown in the meeting in view of the election of district offioers, whieb was the first business dealt with. There were five nominations for the post Of executive member, amongst these being the name of the old representative. It Was understood that the tonr new nominees did not desire t") force a contest, and were averse .to opposing the old executive member, who was ie-eieeted by a good majority. Mr James Thomas, Biglaii Bay, by virtue of his having hold the post of vioe-presidf-nt of the district for the past 12 months, and in accordance with the resolution passed by the districtlnrpgard to became tho president for the ensuing year. Mr W. AHen, Melyn,was elected vice-president, Mr Henry Gethin, Tonna. was re-elected trea- surer by a substantial uinjority, and Air David Sanders, Baglan Bay, was the chosen one to fill the post of district secretary. Hearty votes of thanks were given to Mr Philemon Rees for his services during his presi- deney, and to Mr Richard Howell. the retiring distr'Ot secretary. The latter hadheidtheomce he now vacated since the formation of the district. The meeting then proceeded to consider a reso- lution on the agenda, which had been sent in by the Cardonnel Branch, asking for certain reforms in the Union. The PBKSIDBKT thought it desirable that each delegate should express the views of their respec- tive branches. The majority appeared to be in favour of the suggested reforms. The Metyn millmeii'a delegate taid his branch thought the trustees should act for the Union as trustees did for friendly sooieties, and that the trustees should become responsible to the Union. Other delegates agreeing with this view, the following resolution was passed :— That we as a district are of opinion that reform is needed in our Union, and that a select couuiitlee be formed to formulate a scheme to that effect, the scheme to be placed on the agenda for consideration at the next general council meeting. This resolution was supported by the executive member, who, however, recommended that reform should begin in the branches themselves, and in this way the expenses of the Union would be curtailed. The next resolution was one from the Victoria branch in reference to the dipping question. Is was claimed that the Victoria dippers were entitled to 2d per box per dipping, as was decided in the Melyn case After some discussion, the meeting unanimously passed the following resolution:—"That we are of opinion that the executive should press upon the employers at the joint meeting to pay dippers According to the aroitrators' decision, viz., 2d per box. It was felt that the district was not sufficiently informed in regard to the working of the Union, and the following resolution was passed :—" That we appoint our executive member to make in- quiry and report to the next committee meeting On the following points:—(1) The number of paid members on the strike fund. (2) The amount of money required per week to pay these men. (3) Whether there ie truth in the allegations it con- tains-Ihu have left the district to impose them- selves upon the strike fund." The question of the vacancy in the Parliamen- tary representation of the Swansea district was introduced, and after some explanations and Sensible observations, a resolution as follows was carried without a single dissentient" That 1Ve. the tinplaters of the Neath District, beheve the time has arrived when the working men of the Swansea Parliamentary Division should be directly represented in Parliament by a working man; whilst not suggesting a candidate, we pledge ourselves to use all legitimate means to secure the return of a Labour representative." The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the chairman.

OFFENCES AGAINST THE FACTORY ACT. On Tuesday at the Cardiff Borough Police- court-before the Stipendiary and Mr Alderman Rees—Mr R. J. Hollyman. baker, of Crwys-road, was summoned at the instance of Mr A. Lewis (H.M. Inspeotor of Factories for South Wales) for employing fn .his bakehouse, during the time prescribed ,.for meals, a lad named Joseph Butke, tn contravention of Section 45 of the Factory and The case was proved by Mr T. O. Edwards; ihspeotor of factories.—Defendant, who admitted the offence, said he w<m not aware of the previsions of the Act.—The Bench considered the justice of the case would be met by a reprimand. Mr Slips the manager of the Slip Sawmills Company, Limited, Barley Mow-lane, Canton, was summoned for neglecting to obtain a certifi- cate of fitness in respect of a lad employed in his factory.—Mr Beynon Harris appeared for the defence, and admitted a technical offence, the defendant being fined 10s and costs. Joha James, draper and milliner, of Castle- toad, was summoned for employing a female aMistantin his millinery department after ten O'clock on Saturday, the 29th April. Mr Lewis explained that this was two hours and ten minutes after the stipulated time. He was fined 40s and costs, or 21 days. Mr John E. Phillips, baker of Strathnairn- Street. Roatb. was fined 5s and costs for neglect- tng to have affixed near the entrance of his bake- loose a copy of the extract of the Factory and Workshops Act. Mr John E. Davies of the Steam Joinery Works, Tudor-lane, was summoned for neglecting to have his machinery guarded. Mr Lewis stated that on the 21st nIt. he visited the defendant's place of business, and in the basement he found highly dangerous machinery, which was entirely unprotected. Some time pre- vious to this the defendant had been personally cautioned in regard to the fencing, and a serious accident had occurred at the works. Defendant was fined £5 and costs, or in defaalt a month's imprisonment.

SHEEP-WORRYING AT SWANSEA At the Swansea County.court, on Saturday— before his Honour Judge Gwilym Williams—an action was heard in which John Thomas, of Market-Street, Morriston, claimed J615 damages from William Morris and Evan Lewis, oolliers, of Clydach, for the loss of and damage to sheep in consequence of defendants' dogs having worried them. Mr David Lewis was for plaintiff, and Mr Slaterfordefendants. Evidenoe was called to show that defendants' dogs were seen chasiug plaintiff's Sheep, and plaintiff, on afterwards inspecting the sheep, fonnd five sheep and lambs dead and nine injnred.— In defence it was denied that the dogs could have been in thetield at the time alleged, but it was stated that Morris had attempted to settle the case, and Lewis had killed his dog. —His Honour gave judgment for plaintiff for B12 163 6d with costs.

INTERNATIONAL MARITIME CONGRESS. This eofigres?, which will sit in London from the 18th to the 21st July, has for its chief object the promotion and security of maritime traffic and commerce. After the congress has closed he business sittings a number of visita take place of its members to various ports, and it is probable that Soi.th Wales ports will be included. Cardiff, Newport, and Swansea will probably be visited on or about July 24th and 25th. A number of local gentlemen are vice-presidents or members of the organising committee. The congress, which is representative of every commeroial nation, first met in Paris in 1889, and the forthcoming meeting is the second which has been held.

STUFFED WITH GOLD. This story is told of a gentleman whose taste inclined hifli to haunt "old curiosity" shops, where he picked up many antique and—in some instanees-valuable articles for what is termed a mere song,* One day he purchased a stuffed cat, 9 large, beautiful black Persian, heavy and sleek-coated a* in life. It had belenged, he was told, to an old miser, who must have loved his deceased cat or he would not have to the expehse of having it stuffed. The gentleman examined his purchase, and discovered that one of its eyes was loose; pursuing his investigations further, he removed the artificial eye, and from the interior turned out some hundred sovereigns, each wrapped up separately in wool and tissue paper.

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT. A return just issued as a Parliamentary paper shows that during the years 1884-1802, inclusive, 256 persons were sentenced to death for the crime of murder in England and Wales. Of these 145 were executed in due course one was pardoned; 1Ii 85 eases the sentence was commuted to one of gsnal servitude for life; eight were removed to roadmoor, having been certified to be insane; and in seven cases the prisoners were let off with minor terms of penal servitude, or hard labour or imprisonment. Thirty of the murderers were of or under the age of 21 years. In 49 cases the victims were children under the age of 12. There were 22 cases in which young women murdered their illegitimate children.

THE LOSS OF THE COUNTESS EVELYNE. The Mayor of Newport announces the third list in aid of the rehef of the sufferers by the loss of the above steamer. This brings the total amount received to JB266 9i lOd. The latest con- tribution consisted of the offertories at Holy inmty Churoh on Saudar. and atboaotod to £9 U' M. 4

t" Terrible Disaster. rTHE "WESTERN MAIL" BUILDIN0S UTTERLY DESTROYED. Adjacent Premises in Danger. ENORMOUS THRollQS OF SPECTATORS. EXCITING SCENES. Great Western Hotel Damaged. HEAVYTOSSES. Net since the destruction of Messrs Andrews* fine block of buildings in St. Mary-street, seven years ago, has there occurred in Cardiff a more disastrous tire than that which devastated the Wettcrn Mail offices on Saturday night. Measured by whatever standard, this disastet will undouotediy rank auioug the most serious that have taaen place in the his- tury uf the Welsh Metropolis. The progress ot the lire was as swift as its uutbreak was mysterious. No one who witnessed iU> earlier stage* imaginbd that it would have developed with BUCIl amazing rapidity illto a terribie conflagration. The li>st alarm was given a few minute? Oelore halt-past olitvtu o'clock. At that time there was curiously little to excite iipptehenaioH. Several members ot the tire ongade were in attendance with ho-e anil manual; but beyond this circumstance tl1tj only indication of the outbreak was supplied by intermittent clouds uf murky smoke curiiug slowly thruugh a section of the roof. Of the couple of hundred persons preSeut outside the building at this time it is sate to say that not one for a moment dreamt of the vivid and terribly dramatic sequel to which this was going to prove ouiy a tame prologue. And so minute after minute went by with nothing to outwardly denote the gravity of the situation beyond the growing seriousness depicted in the grim faces of the firemen, who were clatter- ing to and fro with tireless .energy { but the arrival of the fire engines is recognised as a symptom full of serioua significance. Presently— it is yet twenty minutes to undlllKht-a shower of sparks, followed by a long tongue of flame, draws an involuntary exclamation from tho spectators. Five minutes later it is clear that the fire has obtained a tirui grip of the building. Vivid flames leap forth from half-a-dozen places at the same time tbe smoke percolates through the windows, through the eaves, and through the roof; sparks fly upward by the myriad. The facade, which is ot stone, shows as yet no sign of damages It is otherwise with the interior. With lightning-like rapidity the flames spread in every direction. Licking the woodwork with deadly tongue, they proceeded with their terrible work disdainful of the copious streams of water with whioh it was sought to arrest their progress. And at midnight the rear portion of the building is one mass of flame. From this time on until half-past one o'clock the fire raged unchecked. In the meantime the spectators had been receiving accessions of strength with every passing minute, and from midnight nntil half-past one o'clock the con- oourse was immense. The upper part of 6t. Mary-street was simply packed with people, and crowds extended into Mill-lane, overflowed into New-street and Custom-house-street, and were wedgtid in an almost immovable mass in the Great Wefetern approach. Never before, probably, has such a concourse of people been as- sembled at suoh an hour in Cardiff. Magistrates and dockers, lawyers and carpenters, mer- hants and doctors, mechanics and clerks, young men and maidens, schoolboys and mothers with children-m-artns elbowed and jostled eaoh other in the throng. Several vehicles had become entangled in the mass of humanity, and were unable to move a yard in either direction, for those behind cried forward' and those before cried back.' Wood-street also was full'of life and animation. The proximity of the fire to the stables of the Cardiff Tramway Company induced the manager to remove all the horses and cars for Safety. These latter were grouped together in St. Mary strict; while the presence of a score or so of holies in Westgate-street and Park-street Con- veyed the impression of a nocturnal fair. Apart from considerations of damage and danger, the scene was one 01 stupendous grandeur. Behind the stone facade was a boiling, seething, fiery furnace. The red glare of flame filled the sky; the crackling of timber, the crash of floors, the the hiss of streaming water, a sharp detonation now and again as of some explosive material, the stertorous puffing of the engines, the hoarse shouts of the fire brigade, and a sea of eager upturned faces, combined to make up a picture that-wili Jlive long in the memory. Myriads of sparks were oyer and anon shot upward and these, with pieces of wood, charred and white with heat, danced about in fantastic evolutions as thongh they were sprites in a delirium of ecstacy ceveltuig in the awful scene. An objective point of inuoh interest to theorowd was the nag-staff, which for hoursstood erect and t,l1 in spite of tbe crumbling away of aU abont it; but aftel a brave resistance the sturdy pole also collapsed amid sympathetic murmurs. By two o'clock the fire had worked its way through the building from end to end, and at that hour flames were observed in almost every window in the front. Several powerful jets of Water were brought to play upon the burning mass, but for hours these could accomplish little. Good heavens," said one witty observer in allusion to the efforts of the firemen, It's like trying Co put out hell fire with a syringe." Whereat there was a general laugh, Welcome inter- lude enough to the strain on mind and body. And So the fire raged until it bad consumed almost everything consumable in the building. By dint of skilful management, the fire brigade happily prevented the outbreak from spreading to adjacent premises which at one time seemed doomed to a common destruction. But of the Westtrn Mail buildings themselves, we deeply regret tolsay that practically only the shell remains standing. C.FKOJI OCP. RtroniTcasJ One of the largest and most destructive fires which has occurred in Oardtff-or for the matter of that, in any part of South Wales—for many years past broke out at a late hour on Saturday uight in the offices of the Western Mail news- papor. St. Mary-street, Cardiff, the flames not being subdued until the entire pile of buildings was laft a tottering and blackened ruin. The damage, unfortunately, was not confined to the premises in which the fire originated, the Great Western Hotel, wnioh immediately adjoins the Western Mail Buildings, being also partially con- sumed, and at one time threatening to be entirely destroyed. For the benefit of those of our readers who are resident outside the limits of Cardiff, and who may not, therefore, be familiar with the topography, of the principal thorough- fare of the town, it may be as well to state that the newspaper offices occupy a commanding site near the junction of St. Mary-street with the approach to the Great Western Railway Station. They have on the left hand side the Great Western Hotetltnd on the right Barry's Imperial Hotel and Restaurant, both these buildings being lofty and wen- designed structures. At the rear of all three buildings is a narrow lane, connecting Wood- street and Westgate-street with Sannders-ruad (the approach to the railway station), and along which only one vehicle can pass at a time. The two hotels and tbe newspaper office have imposing and finely-finished fronts looking on to St. Mary-street, but the Great Western Hotel, occupying a peeuliairy-abaped corner site, has no great depth. The two other buildings, however, extend a long way back. the Western Mail rear premises,opening on to the lane afore- mentioned. Under the one roof, but in a series of semi-detached offices, the businesses of three separate companies were carried on, these being, first, the newspaper; then the printing, stationery and bookbinding department of Messrs Daniel Owen and Company, and also the paper merchants' business of Messrs Walkey, Thomas and Company. Nearly all the outbuildings which were the first to be destroyed were from three to four storeys in height, and these being one and all completely gutted some conception of the extent and general character of the conflagration may be gathered. The Outbreak. As in so many instances of the kind, the pre- cise cause of the outbreak is, up to the present at any rate, more or less a matter of speculation. From the information we have been able to gathef it appears that somewhere about a quarter to ten on Saturday night Chief Engineer Geen, of the Borough Fire Brigade, who was on duty at the fire depot in Westgate-street, observed a quantity of sparks and dense smoke issuing from a chimney stack at the rear of Barry's Hotel. He went to the spot with certain extinguishing appliances and made the discovery tHht the chimney was well ablaze. This, however, with the means then at his command and the assistance that was forth- coming from those about the premises, be managed to pnt out. Everything was left in an apparent state of safety at a littfe after ten o'clock, the engineer returning to the station at something like half-past that hour. It i^ quita within the range of possibilities that some sparks from the chimney got into the newspaper or printing office and caused the outbreak which subsequently proved so disastrous. The fire would Seem to have originated in the paper warehouse of Messrs Daniel Owen and Co., and in that portion Of it which was in close proximity to the smoke stack already referred to. At ten minntes to eleven the chief constable of Cardiff, Mr W. Mackenzie, passed the offices of the newspaper, and saw Nothing to indicate that Any portion ot them Was in any way being threatened. It is quite clear, however, at this time there most have been a quickly-growing blaze in aome quarter Of the paper warehouse on the first 11oor, for at a quarter-past eleven an alarm was raised, and the brigade were being quickly summoned to the scene or action. Alarm te the Police. The first to give the intimation to tbe potiee would appear to have been Mr George Cardell, the assitant manager at Barry's Hotel, who, with Mr Grow, Jun. of the same hotel, saw the 'reflection of the flames through one of the windows looking out into the rear quad- rangle. They communicated with the police by telephone, and in a few minutes the steamer Fire Queen was on the spot. The engine was stationed in St. Mary-street, nearly opposite tho Philbur* manic-hall, and a plentiful supply of water was obtained from the adjacent hydrants, powerful streams being brought to bear from the front on the fire, whieh was then rapidly spreading and giving every indication that it Would entirely I oonsunni Measrs Walkey, Thomas and Co.'a ware* housa. Aotiviry fcftha fire Brigade Chief Constable Mackenzie. who eom* ttianded the brigade with coolness and with the utmost smartness and promptitude of action* sent for the second engine, the Walter Hemingway, and this, after arrival, VI" stationed at the junction of Westgate-street and Wood* streeb, immediately opposite RaperVi Hotel. There biting a number of hydrants in ths imme- diate Vicinity (one in St. Mary-street, one in Wcod^sfcreefc, opposite the Royal Hotel extension and one in front of Wood-street Chapel) two splen- did deliveries of water w-.is got front these aetircee, the itose being earned along the lane in rear of St. Mary.ttreet.and thus permitting of the brigade tackling the flames behind and before. Further supplies wore procured from a hydrant at the back ot the Coufcty CoUrt otfi'ies, and another bear the Bute monument. Despite all efforts, however, the flames spread, and soon the entire newspaper budding was a vast pile of combustion, the flames leaping up to a tremendous height, and sending up dense masses of sparks and crackling brands that wen carried far and wide over the roofs of the houses oh he opposite side of St. Mary- street. The partifAes of burning materials fell in myriads into the Glamorganshire Canal, hissing and steaming itS they struck tht) water. Luckily there was but little wind to fan the flame«, and what tiiare was being from the westward, it swept the spm ka :<\ncl smoko over the wide street in front. A high easterly or southerly wind must inevitably have Caused a much more widespread disaster, for in that case nothing short of a miracle clluld have saved Barry's Hotel front practically complete destruction. Progress of the Conflagration. The laborious, and Well-directed efforts of the brigade did not for a long time inake any appreciable impression on the fast consuming pile. The highly-inlfammable nature uf the contents of many of the rooms is quite sufficient to account for this. The composing-room with all its cases and frames and tables, would offer abundant material, for feeding the fire while the warehouses, with their fluKe reels of paper for newspaper purposes, and their shelves filled with reams for general printing, burned with the intensity of tinder. All the floors, including che joist?, oross- VIKW FFCOM BAERY'S HOTKL. beams, and girders, Appear to have been of wood, and these, one by one, as the heavier timbers burned through, fell in with terrible crashes, bury. mg thousands of pounds worth of valuable property nnder colossal heaps of fl » me that raged at a white heat. Only the vertical supjjorts of some of the heavier flours seem to have been of iron, and as these expanded and got out of the perpendicular with the superincumbent Weight of added material, floor after floor collapsed, each being precipitated with a perfectly irresistible foroe into the roaring enclosure of fire that within less than two hours after the outbreak formed the beitrt of the building. Destruction of Machinery. It was pitiful in the extreme, and the spectaole foimed the subject of many a sympathetic, if roughly-expressed, remark among the bystanders, to see the valuable printing machinery being gradually subjected to a heat that must have come within a measurable distance of melting it. Oostly full-sized machines— of the well-known lioe pattern—were in a short space of time rendered utterly valueless, being gradually buried under masses of charred rafters and flooring, reels of half-consumed paper, brickivorkand plaster that had fallen in with the floors, and the roof whioh had disappeared comparatively early in the work of annihilation. A portion of the premises that seems to have gone down very quickly before the onrush of the flames was the boiler and engine-house. This was a long, low, one-sterey building, approached from the lane in rear of St. Mary-street. The roof was constructed of iron gaduts, coveiod with slates, and this offered but little resistance to the heavy piles of debris that came down on it from, the loftier structures around. The roof went in bodily, iron- work, slates, and everything else used m it originally falling bodily on to a powerful boiler that occupied the middle of the shed. The Tramway Company's Property Threatened. On the further side of the lane that has been referred to the Cardiff Tramways and Omnibus Company has very extensive stables and sheds for the rolling stock. These at the time the alarm Was raised were pretty well filled with the valu- able property of the company, the traffic for the day having been practically finished, and the horses brought in oh the completion of the final journey. Owing to the intense heat the wood- work in the lofts of the tramway company caught fire, and a quantity of hay that was stored inside also ignited. As good fortune would have it, however, the company's large staff was on the time, and while the brigade quickly extinguished the flames the employees removed the horses and rolling stock to places of safety. Mr ft. Goodyer, the gonera^ manager, directed operations, assisted by Mr Richardson, the superintendent. The horses were brought out and temporarily kept in Park-street, Temperance-town, while the trams and 'buses were drawn into Wood-street and St. Mary-street, as many as seven being kept in the middle of the latter thoroughfare. Oollapse of a Wall. Prior to this, however, a large mass of masonry, forming part of the pine end of one of the out- buildings, after bulging over the Ian. in a very threatening manner owing to the heat within and the steam generated from the water, fell outwards with a deafening crash, tons of material blocking up both sidewalk and road- way. A considerable quantity of the masonry, owing to the narrowness of the lane, went crash- ing through the slate roof of the Tramway Company's stable, smashing all before it and leaving a jagged hole of surprising dimensions. Somewhere about the same time a very high hoarding used for bill-posting purposes only (and belonging to the Glamorgan Bill Posting Oom- pany), which runs for some distance along the lane in the same line as the stables, caught fire at the upper portion, and seemed to threaten a serious spread to both sides of ttte lane. Happily, however, by the prompt action of the brigade and the police, all real danger in this direction w« quickly averted, and beyond Some yards of woodwork, no damage was done. In this narrow thoroughfare, with high crumbling walls above their heads, the brigade fonnd them- selves in a very tight place, and one by no means free from danger but while not in one whit relaxing their efforts to cope with the fire from this sidp, they exercised the wise and reasonable precaution as sensible and brave men always see to be expedient in circumstances of the kind. To this may be attributed the fact that though the stone and brick work above and around them was in such a shaky and threatening state, no accident of any kind occurred, and loss of life or injury to limb has not to be added to the other incidents of of the catastrophe. The Great Western Hotel Catohes. With such rapidity did the flames seize the doomed building that it soon became clearly apparent nothing could save them. and therefore the efforts of the brigade were largely directed to saving the two buildings adjoining, Barry's Hotel on the one hand and the Great Western Hotel on the other. This latter establishment, it has to be chronicled, fared but badly. The limited space behind and the close proximity of the billiard-room walls to the premises of Messrs Daniel Owen and Company account ftlny for the extension of the flames in this direction. The outbreak occurring so soou after eleven o'clock, and while many of the persons staying in the house were yet in the bar, smoke, and billiard-rooms, thsfe was timely warning given, and while in case of need a hasty retreat oould be beaten, ample opportunities offered for saving large quantities of the more valuable property on the premises. But onoe the flames had attacked the rear of the building they swept on with a fierceness that at one time seemed as though all before them would be devoured. The back portion of the mam bar and the billiard-room on tbe ground floor suffered most severely, while tbe whole of the back part of the two upper floors (devoted almost entirely to bedrooms) were damaged to the extent probably of thousands of pounds by water and smoke. Mr and Mrs Bowden, the landlord and landlady, were just superintending the clearing-up of their premises for the week when they realised what had taken place. The brigade brought additional streams of water to play upon the back portion of the hobel where the fire had got a firm hold, and by carrying lengths of hose up the spiral staircase and ill through some of the back bedroom windows, thet were able to confine the fire to the side of the building next the newspaper offices. Tims the somewhat peculiar sight 18 now presented of hitmen?^ damage on the tight of the main passage, andr little or no damage—at any rate, not by actual tire-on the left of that passage. The billiard- room, a spacious and Well-appointed apartment, lit from the roof, was burnt clean out, the roof falling or being driven in by the debris from witbont that crashed down opjn it, and the two large and handsome billiard-tables being buried beneath a mass of rubbish. Girders, tiles, joist.?, furniture, and fittings almost concealed the tables from sight. Hospitable Neighbours. Mr and Mrs Bowden and their numerous staff i of assistants were not left unaided in their hour of extremity. A number of their friends came moat readilv to their A6si»feaac& Mid aooa wilt I ,-=- 'I:>IC" ing band of stout in heart and strong in hand' were engaged in removing to places of safety in the neighbourhood *11 the lighter and mote Oostly articles that could be quickly transported thitherwards. Councillor R. Hughes, Mr R. E. Smith, Mr J. Matthias, and some 18 or 20 others I. rendered invaluable service in this respect, numerous bales and bundles of goods being carried aorosa to the York Hotel on the Wharf, where Mr W. Griffiths, the landlord, placed the fuUeet possible accommodation at his neighbour's disposal. He not only received Mr and Mrs Bowdoa and the whole of their large staff lor the night, but also converted bis eatahnsbmRnt into a Sort uf sough and ready plate repository and furniture warehouse. It hae been 81\ld that the eorpi of helpers took away to places of safety the things that Could be more easily carried. This M not. strictly speaking, accurate, for they succeeded in getting oat and tak- ing into the York Hotel the safe, with all its contents of books, papers, and eaah and this was by no means a gentle or easy task. About twenty man were required to lift this ponderous article, but they buckled to with a will and bore it in their arms as far as the Bute Monument, when a most welcome handcart was forthcoming. On this they got it over to the York Hotel, and tinally planted it in the commercial- room of that: hostelry. Quantities of bedding, table-linen, etc., that had baen brought out en to the landings in the Great Western Hotel pre- paratory to removal, were* nnfortuuately, saturated with water before they could be carried off, and the damage done from tlus cause is not likely too be as great as from the fire. The ottomans, settees, and lounges in the billiard room were dragged out while burning, ajad left in the vestibule, wheie they long smouldered under downpours of water from the floors nbovo. The large general bar in Saundws s-roadjHjcaped any very serious damage, though it m"y have suffered soUMiwhttt from smoke and water. Barry's Hotel Threatened. It is a somewhat remarkable fact, and one worthy of mention, that though the outbreak seems to have takeu place on that side of Messrs Walkey, Thomas and Company's premises, which was newest to Barry's Imperial Hotel, this latter structure escaped practically without injury, while the hotel on the further side suffered to the extent of some thou-sands of jMjunds. The restaurant had just been closed, and the staff were engaged in straightening up when the alarm was raised. It was known almost immediately, through Mr Cardell and Mr Crowe, jun., where the fire was located, and although there waA every prospect of this hotel having a similar experience to thnfc which an hour or two more bfefel the Great Western, there was nothing in the nature of a panic. The establishment was well filled at the time by coni- meroial and other gentlemen, and these took in the situation at a (tlance. The chief danger lay in the npp^r storey bedrooms catching, and in a few place", when the conflagration was at its height, the woodwork of some of the windows of the servants' rooms became charred, while the walls showed signs of the fierce beat to which they were being subjected. But here airititi, ■»s in the case of the Great Western, a larpe and willing staff of volunteers catne forward to their assistance, and a bucket-brigade was organised on the roof, this being the spot from which the fire was most readily accessible. The kitchens of the hotel being on t the uppermost storey and provided with inexhaustible tanks, buckets of water were passed along from hand-to-hand, and the walls, roof, and abutting woodwork kept cool. The necessity for this was shown by the steam which r-ise from the roof and eaves, which, by the way, were not the portions of the buildwg nearest to the main body of the fire, as each successive bucket of water came on to them. At the same time that this was going steadily on, by means of a rope Mr Card»ll hauled up from a fireman who was work- ing on the roof of the ruined Western Mail boiler shod, the hosej the man was directing. This was played from a wooden balcony outside the third storey of the hotel on to the tire at that point where it gave the surest signs of advancing. The firemen got a better command of the situa- tion from here, ar)d if th«y did not make any very perceptible impression on the huge ciuldrou that hissed, and spluttered, and danced beneath and before them, they prevented a second oatildron ou to the scene. Inside the hotel, though everybody was wonderfully self- possessed and actuated by one desire to be of service, theio was a scene of the most deplorable confusion, the staff having made almost super- human efforts, under the diceotion of Mrs Barry, to get as large a quantity of movable goods as possible ready for immediate transportation from the building. The sequel proved, however, that though the step was one marked by great wisdom it was unnecessary, the fire m the adjoining premises burning itself cut, and leaving Barry s Hotel untouched, the damage done, apart from that caused by water, being hardly worth speaking about. Mr Lewis Williams, J.P.. who Was one to arrive very quickly on tho scene here, tendered exceedingly useful service in aiding and encouraging Mrs Barry's st^ff, and his perfectly contained manner no doubt prevented some of the younger ones front giving way to nervousness and alarm. Saving the Western Mail" Valuables. It was not long"' ertf it beCsttue evident that no gswer on eartltrcoold s&ve the Western Mail uildings from deatruotidn, tho file steadily advancing from the premises in the rear to those abutting 6ii; St. Mary-street. The far- eachtng red glare overhead, tho angry crackling and roaring within, the vast clouds of sparks and suioke told only too plainly their deplorable tale of swift and sure destruction. But happily time was allowed for the salvage of a large amount of valuables from the ground and second floors. The account books and ledgers from the offices, papers and doouments relating to the three several businesaea carried an in the building, »nd other articles, including the safe, were got out with comparative ease and taken to adjoining houses. Among places, tho pro- prietors of which provided accommodation in tbis respect, were the Theatre Royal, the Royal Hotel, the Washington Hotel, and tbe Conser- vative Club. The removal of the aafa was it laborious task, but it was accomplished in safety. The files of the newspaper were thrown bodily from the second storey window, and carried on with comparatively little damage. The staff of the commercial department worked with A will In freighting away valuables until the increasing heat, with the smoke and the danger from falling material, forced them to desist. From room to room in the front of the bailing the flames raged on, the whole of the editorial, ,«b- editorial, and reporting departments being quickly destroyed. Only tbe lower Storey escaped being absolutely gutted. The upper storey of all, with its ornamental stone arches, was the last to be consumed, and at one time they looked as though they were going to fall into the street. But the stone seemed to stand the heat remark- ably well, and, taken generally, the fagade of the building came off better than might have been expected. The only persons who slept on the Wettem Mail premises were Mr Froderiok Lacy (the foreman of the printing department of Messrs Daniel Owen), his wife, and Sergt. i'arrell (the caretaker) and his wife. They had all retired for the night when the alarm was raised. and the first intimation they appear to have had of their danger was when Mrs Lacy, hearing a great noise and commotion in the street, got tip and looked out of the window. She saw a quickly- gathering crowd gazing up at the Wettem Mail w ildings, She said there must be something wrong, and at once roused ber husband, who then hoard the front doors being burst in. They lost no time in rousing the other inmates of the build- ing, and all made their way downstairs and out in safety, though in a very unprotected state. Mrs Farrell bad to make her escape in only her night clothing and an ordinary dress thrown over. she not having time so much as to don her shoes and atookings. Mr Lacy Was not fully dressed when he leached the street, and both the parties had to leave behind them all the worldly possessions that they had on the premises. Assistance from the Bute Dooks Brigade. When the fire was at its height most timely aid was rendered by tho Bute Dock? Fire Brigade, who, under the command Of Captain Ralph Pomeroy, the dock master, and Sujierintendent O'Gorman, brought with them up the Glamorganshire Canal the powerful water boat with its splendid pumps, and lost no time itv getting two steady deliveries from the top ot the canal on to the fast-falling building. The brigade would, in the ordinary course of events, have appeared somewhat earlier upo^i the scene, but tbe magnitude of the fire was not con- veyed to them at the first intimation, and their services were not solicited. Then, again, delay was necessarily experienced in bringing the water boat from the head of the East Bute Dock, through into the West, and along the junction, the canal gates being closed and locked. As the keys were not obtainable, the locks bad to be broken and a passage thus forced through. The boat took up her position under the bridge of 'tt ,I :h' BACK LAN* I vtfcw iH BACK iMft. I the Ofta( Western Railway that spaJis the Carta!, and no time was lost in getting the gear fixed ana in full play. A visible effect was produced by the streams from this source, and within ali hour it was plain that the flames had reached tbeir fiercest pitch, and Were nof gradually being got under Control. Oapt. Poideroy and Supt. O'Gorman directed their meu with such good effect that within a couple of hours circumstances permitted ot the doeks brigade withdrawing, the borough brigade having the thing so well in hand that they could With safety retire. The large body ot docks police and duck gatemen who were present worked with safety retire. The large body of docks police and duck gatemen who were present worked with most commendable energy and displayed very great smartness. Tlie power of the water-boat was unmistakable, and the value of Itst jets was acknowledged by all who saw the occurrence to be beyond all question. The brigade came with its reel in the event of further hose being required. Incidents. Although it WHS at so Lata on feioar of ¡- the night when the fire assumed really serious proportions, a vast crowd assembled, extend. ing from the Custom House Bridge a long way up St. Mary street. It most have numbered some thousands, but those cOmpositig it remained there passive, yet interested, until welt on into the my ruing; in fact there was a con- siderable throng round the ruin When morning dawned. A goodly number of intelligent work. men and others rendered the police and the brigades all the help they could, and there Was a most creditable absence of noise, disorder and horseplay, although the crowd was a Saturday Might one. Roughly speaking, it may be skid that tha flames were got under by three o'clock on Sunday moeniag, sod by foar o'clock it was aafe te limit somewhat the force the water being pumped upon them. Tho two > engines still remained, however, until ail danger of thO smouldering remains bursting into re- newed activity was removed. It ia a melancholy faet to have to relate that when the excitement Was at its height, several attempts were made by night prowle.s in the crowd to get into the Great Western note), obviously for purposes of plunder and to Consume the liquor on the premises. A strong force of police and plain clothes detectives was stationed in and around the building, and while Superintendent T&irblyti, Who commanded the brigade oti the ground Boor, and Inspector Durston, who was in charge up atoovej gave undivided attention to tho brigade and its operations, they took care that noue of the rooms of the hotel-were entered by any but authorised persons. We hear of one or two cases where men were seen in the act of helping them- selves to property tbat ill-fortune placed within their reach. Detectives Oxley, Scott, Gretton, f j good work in and around the buttdtng, and no doubt prevented looting. They also gave tbeir services most,willingly in the Work of removing valuables from the hotel to places of safely. The wonderful interest which the fire exeited is displayed by the fftct that thousands of people hurried into town frouiRoath, Canton, and Oathays, and other distant atid out- ]ym8 portions of the district, and the town was in a state of activity and bustle until broad day- ugut. It may be stated that as soou as the cun- dition of the conflagration would permit, escapes and ladders were planted against the front of the mtikimg, and a more direct delivery on the seat °*g-the tire thus obtained. The steadiness with which the brigade stuck to their poste, of ten in most awkward and dangerous positions, in an atmosphere that was almost suffocating, and in the pressure of heat that was nearly overpower- ing, is worthy of all praise. The first hoj>e used iu the task of extinction was that belonging to Mr Oswald Stoll's Panopticon. It was fixed to the neighbouring hydrant by Mr Stoll's employees. and than handed over to the care of the borough brigade, who arrived at that moment.. Extent of the Damage. The loss to the firti- of Messrs Daniel Owen and estimated at between £ 70,000 ahd £ 80,000 the machinery destroyed alone cost £ 47,000. There were three Hoe's improved rotary machines, two of which were nearly new, having been put Up during the last four or live years at a cost of ,000 each. Amongst the other machinery on t e premises were a large perfecting machine by Messrs Dryden and Foord, which was in the baaemopt, and coat £1,000; 10 jobbing machines, Single and double colour printers; j?i*ririA ^hogr.aphic presses; two guillotines, worlh i.1,000, a valuable stereotyping, zincographic, and photographic plant; folding machinery, tally and label machines, wire stitchers, a hot. press machine, several ruling machines, a number Of perfecting machines, besides a lot of book- binders implements, etc. The whole of the 1 maoluuefy Was driven by one of Fowler's vertical engines. Messrs Daniei Oiven and OQ. employed 150 persons, the whole of whom will be thrown out of employment. Messrs Walkey, Thomas and Co. emp.oj^ci between 70 and 30 persons. This firm had over ±.20,000 worth of stock on the premises, aud the damage is estimated at £25,000. Among the stoc» £ were some hundreds of tons of paper bags, Mr George Bowden, of the Great Weate. n Hotel, estimate* his: damage at £5.000. He has lost a c^' ii "V^oom, a spirit-room containing 500 gallons of liquor, the linen-room, commercial stock-room, several bedrooms aud bathrooms, the housekeeper s room at the back, and the smoke- ro°ir»- iwenty-five domestics were employed at the hotel* and several of them have lost a large amount of their effeots. It is gratifying to know that in the calle of the four parties to the less the damage is fully covered by insurance, Statement by the Chief Constable. Ou Sunday afternoon Mr W. Mackenzie, the guef constable, was seen by representatives of the Press irt reference to the fire, and he then made the following statement b^rd the alarm of fire by the men blowing thair whistles, at a quarter-past eleven on Satur- day night, I was then in St. Mary-street, near the end of Wharton-sfereet. I mistook the direction of the sound, and went the other Way, but in a minute or two I found that tho reel had been brought to the fire by Engineer Geen and some firemen. I followed immediately afterwards with the steamer Fire Queen. When we arrived the hose from the hydrant Was piayiug upon the building, the nrd being at the time confined to the ware- house of Messrs Walkey, Thomas and Co., which seetned to be well alight, and the flames were rapidly spreading. The engine was got to Work wltbalbpeed, and the water brought to bear upon the fire from the front in St. Mary-street. I then sent for the second engine, ind placed her ftt the end of Wood-street and Westgate- ifcreet, and played upon the fire from the back with two deliveries. At that time the fire threatened to reach the premises of the Tramways Com pan}', so their servants set to work to get out the horses, trams, and omnibuses, whion.theybroughtinto the street with alt speed. At this time five jets of Water were being poured upon the fire from various points. Barry II Hotel was threatened, and a fireman with a hose Was placed on the roof to cut off comimipication between the two buildings. It Was seen that the pieuiises of the Wettem Mail were doomed, and the efforts of the firemen were then oonfined to the protection Of the adjoimng properttes. Despite our endeavours the fire extended to the Great Western Hotel, which adjoins the Western Mail building, and Considerable damagohaa been done there: by fire, but I think rnore injury has been doiio by water. The etigines continued to Work until six o'clock tn the morning. The hoafe was then fixed to thd hydrMito, and four deliveries of water were kept playmgnpon the debris, wbich still continues to smoulder. As to the supposed cause, I may say that about a quarter to 10 Chief Engitieer Geen, who was on duty at the fire station, observed a quantity of sparks and dense smoke coming from the stack at the rear of Barry's Hotel. He went there with appliances and found that the chimney was fairly on fire, there being a fierce heat within. After a time it was extinguished, and the firemen returned to tbe station at half- past ten. It is just possible that sparks from this fire may have caused the fire at the Western Mail Building?. I may mention that I passed the Western Mail Buildings at 10 minutes to 11, and there was no sign of anything being wrong then. But, inasmuch as the fire was oonfined to the back part of the building, in its origin the paper warehouse nught have been burning for some time before it was discovered. In fact, this must have been so, seeing tbat the are was so fur developed before it was noticed. Soon after one o'clock in the morning Captain Pomeroy, Supt. O'Gorman, and a contingent of the Bute Docks police came to our assistance with one of their stearn pumps, and they rendered Valuable and timely help. They continued to co-operate with the town brigade until the fire was com- pletely got under. Mr David Davies, the acting editor Of tho Western Mail, was one of the first ta arrive on the premises—as a matter of fact, he was there when we arrived. He rendered every assistance in his powbf, giving practical advice, and enabling us to take the points of the greatest advantage tor coping with the flames. There was a large concourse of people round the building the whole night, and they rendered considerable assistance to the fire- men, while th»ir general conduct was admirable. It was one of the best behaved crowds I have ever seen at a firi. Official Report. The official report, as submitted by Chief Engineer Geen, states that at 11.15 Police- constable Maxwell brought information to the station that a fire had broken out at the Western Mail Printing Office, St. Mary-street, The reel was at once taken by Obief Engineer Geen and firemen. The steamer Fire Queen closely fol- lowed wtth more firemen, in charga of the bead constable. On arriving at the scene it was found that the fire had broken out in that portion of the buildmgs occupied by Messrs Walkey, Thamas, and Co., paper merchants, the premises being all alight on the basement and Hrst floor. The hose was at once attached to a hydrant In St. Mary-street, and water poured on the fire from the compositors' department. One hose from the sfceatriwr was used at tbe sam-? point, and the ether from the offices of the Western Marl. The fire was rapidly extending, and the head- constable sent for the second steamer, which was placed at the end of Wood-street, hear the theatre* and two Streams of water brought to bear on the back of the premises. The fire had by t,h." time extended to the whole of the Western Mail Print- ing Works and threatened Barry's Restaurant and the Great Western Hotel. Additionat lines of hose were then got to work from hydrants in St. Mary-street and Western Mail-lane, and the efforts of the firemen Were theft directed to Con- fine the fire to the Western Mail buildings. The fire now threatened the Tramway Company's stables, and the Tramway Company's ser- vants at once got to work and got out tho horses, tram?, and "busses, the hoard- ings adjoining trio stables being ignited by the excessive beat. About 12.30 a.m., the back wall of the premises of Walkey, Thomas and Company fell outwards into Western Mail- lane with a tremendous erash, smashing in the roof of the hay-cutting room of tbe Tram Com- pany, when several of the firemen had a very narrow escape.. The fire now extended to the Great Western Hotel, but we were able to con- fine it to the billiard-room and baok portion of the premises, tltlt considerable damage was done to the whole of the. premises by water. Barry's Restaurant was slightly damaged rn a small portion of the roof and one room. It is not too much to.say that ai one time the fire threatened thewlIole of the block of buildings, but for- tunately the wind Was not strong, and, with a determined effort on the part of the brigade and a good supply of water, the fire was confined to tho Western Nail Buildings. The damage is estimated at £50,<xx.>. Shortly after one o'oltick Captain Pomeroy, Supt. O'Gorman, and a bon- tiugunt of the Bute Dock brigade with a water boat arrived and rendered valuable legist- ance. The fire was well under by five a.m., the engines brought to the station at six, and lines of hose attached to hydrants in the neighbourhood wero-pouring water on the burning debris. The furniture and stock of the Great Western Hotel is insured la the ^id-and-Hand fire Office, 'iho Western Mail is insured in the Atlas Fire Office, the Economic, and Kong Kong Insurance Companies. A chimney was discovered on Sre at 9.SOp.m. at Barry's Restaurant. Ohief-engineer Geen and Fireman Luckwell went there and informed Mrs Barry of the same. There were showers of sparks from the chimney, and it is quite possible that these may have caused the fite, as several of the windows in the premises E»f Walkey, Thomas and Company were open. The engineer examined the roof of Barry's and adjoining premises, and all appeared safe at 10.25. It may be added that Chief Engineer Geen was just on the point Of going off duty when the alarm was brought to the fire station, and that undoubtedly great credit isdue to himself and the other members of the brigade for the efforts they made te Stop the spread of the flames. -<

<1.) FIRE AT SWANSEA, Narrow Escape of the Flour Mi Ha. On Monday evening there broke out at Swansea a fire which, but for the energy displayed by the fire brigade, mipdit have been of a disastrous character. It seems that smoke was seen issuing from a boatbuilder's shed under the railway arches at the new cut bridsre. The fire brigade, under Capt. Colquhoun, Supt. Jones, Inspector lOyuon, Sergeant Couch, and Acting-Sergeant Edwards (who has charge of the fire brigade station), were promptly on the scene, and immediately a great volume of water was thrown on the the. At the back of the arch in which the tire originated is a spaoe of about five feet, which divide the railway line from the extensive flour mills of Messrs Weaver and Company at the Duke's Dock. The flames going through obtained access to three ot the adjoining arches, which were soon also enveloped in flames, and they also caught a number of trucks of tarred railway Bleepers which were standing on the lines abote the arches. These and the contents of the ro lies were aIr about simultaneously unvelpjjed in fhmes, and the pitch and other inflammable materials caused a dense smoke, which tendered extinguishing operations very difficult. Moreover, the names from these inflammable materials lapped up the walls of the flour mills. The fire brigade worked with marvellous energy and at great personal risk, and soon subdued the fire in the arches. Meanwhile the flames from the trucks of sleepers flew up tbe wall of tbe flour mills, and it was found necessary to remove the trucks. This was a work of tbe very greatest difficulty, as the line above the arches was in such a dangerous state that it was found hazardous to put an engine on them. Indeed, the beat below was so intense that the rails were red hot. This difficulty was, however, overcome by bringing an engine all near as was considered safe, and then bv means of a chain connecting it with the trucks, which were thus hauled to a distance and extinguished. So the greatest danger fb the flour mills was removed, and in the end all the damage they have been found to have received was such as was caused by the water poured on the walls and through the windows on to the flour stored inside. The fire brigade deserve tbe greatest credit for their exceedingly smart work, which had the effect of preventing a very great fire and confining it to four railway arches, namely, those occupied by T. Jones, boat builder; Saunders, fruit and potato merchant; the Bristol Channel Boat Building sheds and a shed occupied by T. Page and W. Goad. These sheds have suffered very seriously from the fire.

AFFAIRS OF NEATH TRADESMEN At Bristol on Tuesday—before the deputy- ofiicial receiver for Swansea (Mr T. W. Hand- oock)—David Griffiths, of Queen-street, Neath, grocer and provision merchant, was represented by Mr A. R. Thomas (Messrs Thomas and Thomas), who produced a certificate showing tbat his client was unable to appear, owing to ill- health. The debtor's statement of affairs showed unsecured creditors, £1.602 17s 7d; creditors partly secured. £935 assets, stock-in-trade, etc., £490; less preferential creditors, £6ó 33 lOd showing a deficiency of £2,014 17a 7d. The aHegfcd causes of failure were depression in trade, bad debts, heavy expenditure in wages and the working of many businesses.—In reply to an inquiry, debtor's solicitor stated that some of the creditors refused to accept a composition ex- pressed, with the result that an execution was put in, and, in the interest of tho other creditors, they wert, bound to tile their petition.—The debtor was adjudged a bankrupt, the official receiver to apply for adjudication. — Mr W. B. Trick, auctioneer, of Neath, was appointed trustee, with a committee of inspection, consisting of Messrs Pingstoue, Parnali, and J. Dyer. — William Griffiths, 56, Wind-street, Neath, grocer and pro- vision umrch¡mt.-Debooi"1J statement of affairs showed unsecured creditors, £1,869 4s 6d creditors partly secured, B507 13s assets, £768 Os Bd stock-in-trade, etc., book debts, j3268 12s 2d bad and doubtful debts, £417 J2s 6d leaving a deficiency of £1.360 17s 5d. Debtor stated that his failure was due to bad trade, no profits, very heavy sickuess in family, and bad debt8.-He was adjudged a bankrupt, Mr W. B. Trick, auctioneer, of Neath, was appointed trustee, with a committee of inspection, consisting of Messrs J. Bowden, Parnali, and Pingstone.

FUNERAL OF ALD. NORTON, CARMARTNEN. The mortal remains of Aluerrnan Henry Norton, J.P., Green Hill, Carmarthen, were in. terred at the Carmarthen Cemetery on Tuesday, the funeral being private. The Rev, T. R. Walters, St. David's, and the Rev. D. J. Evans, St. Peter's, officiated. The mourners were Mr Talbot Norton. Dr. Ritchie Norton, Mr A. Owen Norton, Mr James Lees Norton (sons), Mr Charles Norton, and Mr Marshall (sons-in-law). In the cortege were Alderman Dr. Rowlands. Mr R. M. Thomas, town clerk, and the em- ployees 6f the Carmarthen United Breweries Company, of which deceased was a director. At tbe oemetery, a large number of deceased's friends had assembled, including the members of the Carmarthen Town Council. The general furnisher was Mr D. Griffiths, Compton House. The coffin, which was covered with magnificent aud costly wreaths, bore the following inscription :— Henry Norton, born 15th JUIT, 1818; died 2nd Juoo. 1893," deceased thus being in his 75th yeaof.

A ROAD UNDERMINED BY RABBITS. At the otdinary monthly meeting of the Cow- bridge District Highway Board, held at the Town-halj, Cowbridge, on Tuesday, Mr Rees Thornas, Bovertou, presiding, the question of the repair of what is known as tho Mnors-road, Penllyne, which ha3 been damaged under some- what extraordinary circumstances, catne up for consideration. It appears that the road (where it crosses the Tvewton Moors) is for a distance of 200 or 200 yards completely undermined and I honeycombed by the borrowings of rabbits from the 1 enilyne covers.—The Chairman stated tbat the committee who had been appointed to inspect and report as to the road had adjourned the cou- sideration of the niatter for a month, and m the meantime ft vestry meeting of the parishioners would be held to discuss the question.

DEA TH OF MR 6. POTTER. Mr George Potter, tho great Trade Unionist, died on Saturday moining from paralysis of the brain. Ho WM born at Kemlworth in the memorable year 1832 Deceased had spent most of his life in the betterment of the working class. He took an active part in the nine hours move- ment and was leader of the great building strike in 1859. He was also bead of a demonstration to welcome Garibaldi. He was a member of the London School Board nine year* and first moved for free education and tho appointment cf the Educational Endowments Committee. He un- successfully contested Peterborough and Preston for Parliament, and was some years ago presented with an illuminated address and £ 500 by the working men of Great Britain. A public funeral wiil be ffiveB. t

THE PRESENTATION TO SIR W. T. LEWIS. How the 3,000 Guineas are to be Applied. It will be remembered that recently tlie Mon- mouthshire and South Wales Coalowners'Associa- tion resolved to ask Sir W T. Lewis to accept the sum of 3,000 guineas, to be applied by him in such manner as he might deem most fitting, to mark the appreciation by the association of the very valuable services which he has rendered as past president of the association, and mora especially as chairman of the s'liding-scale com- mittee, and as one of the original members of that committee, his services in this respect ex- tending Lack to the time when the sliding-seale principle was initiated in 1875. Messrs Graham, Ogilvie (the present chairman of the association^ Archibald Hood, and Edmund Davies (an ex- chairman) were appointed to e >ufer with Sir William, and ascertain his wishes in the matter. We learn from Mr W. Gascoigne Dalziel, secre- tary to the association, that arrangements have now been made between Sir William and the committee by which an mtimatiou "has been con- veyed by Sir William to Principal ViriamU Jones, of the University College of iioutii WxfRs and Monmouthshire, that rt sum of £1,900 will bo voted towards two scliolarsbi; • ;1 to be given to working eeiiims who have been employed not less thalt three yearn iu cutti ng ouaJ. in aceorJanco with the requirements of the (joal Aliies Regulation Act. Sir William has also intimated to Mr Huxhaui, secretary of the South Wales jnstitnfce of Engineers, th:t.c the suai of JB500 will be given to the institute for the purpose of providing pre^ miuins for the papers to be read by students. have also been made for the execu- tion of two fKirtrait paintings of Sir William I ewis, one to remain iu the possession of Lady Lewis and the other tn be hnng in the new joint home tif the South Wales Institute of Engineers and of tiie Coalowner*' Assoc ation. now in coarse of erection in Park-place. In addition, a pre- sentation of plate, with a suitable inscription* will be made to Lady Lewis. while Sir William will receive an illuminated address in eummeia^ ration af the occasion.

THE WELSH REGIMENT IN INDIA. Col. Allley's Farewell. By the Men of Hrcrleck-the newspaper of the men of the Welsh Regiment, published at Trimal- sherry, India—just to hand, we notice the farewell. order by Colonel Barnett N. Anley, on his relin- quishing the command of the regiment. The letter which the gallant officer addressed to the officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of the 2nd Battalion is as follows:— To all I tender my heartfelt thanks for the ready assistance which they have ever evinced, causing me in consequence to feel a pride and gratification in the knowledge that I am handing over to my successor a fine battalion, in a thoroughly efficient condition, well disciplined, well drilled, and, thank God, in good health. Retain habits of abstemiousness, cleanliness, and your love of manly outdoor sports, and the efficiency you now enjoy will remain yours. I will watch the future of the battalion as long as I live with the keenest interest. Good-bye, and accept my best wishes. Cvmru am byth. BACNKTT N. ANLET, Colonel, the Welsh Regiment. The following remarks from the same paper will be read with interest in the district where the 41st has its depot, and from which it is recruited Colonel Barnett Nethercote Anley joined the service on the 14th January, 1862, as ensign in the 41st Foot, was promoted lieutenant in Febru- ary, 1865; captain, May, 1877 m;ijor, July, 1881 lieu tenant-colonel, April, 1886 and colonel, 1890. More than eleven years out of the total thirty-three he spent on foreign service, yet was never fortunate enough to see service." He held the post of adjutant to the 41st from August, 1869, to May, 1877, and that of adjutant in the auxiliary forces from June, 1877, to January, 1882.

NORTH MONMOUTH. lletirement- of Mr T. P. Price,, miro The Liberals of North Monmouthshire wilt learn with regret that Mr T. P. Price has de- finitely resolved to retire at the next elee;tion from the representation of the constituency. Mr Price's decision hardly comes as a surprise, seeing that he was disinclined on the last occasion to undertake the arduous work of a contest, and the irksome duties of attendance at Parliament during a period when so highly-contenticus a matter as the Home Rule Bill would entailclose participa- 4 tion in the proceedings of the House of Commons.. None the less issit matter for regret that the sitting member, who has served the constituency so faithfully, and has, with steadfast adherence to Liberal principles, kept in line with the advancing political movements of the times, should have reached a resolution to retire from the active work of political life. Being a resident in the constituency, his influence will, however, still be there on the right side and as behal thus early intimated course of action at *thfe next election, he does local Liberals tbe good ser^ vice of allowing them ample time to consider the selection of a new candidate, going so far, we believe, as to express willingness to help in tho choice himself if desired, by suggesting the names of gentlemen likely to serve the Liberals of the division. We have not yet, it is gratifying to observe, to say farewell to Mr Price. The party will for some time yet have the advantage of hi, help and guidance, and when the day of hia retirement comes the will carry with him the hearty thanks and px>d wishes of the electorate),

THE ACTION AGAINST A NEATH HAY DEALER. His Honour Judge Ellicott delivered his reserved judgment at Gloucester County-court on Tuesday, in the action in which Pemble and Sons, Gloucester, sued John Bowden, hay dealer, Neath, for J629 Is 9d, damage alleged to have been occasioned by defendant's refusal to accept six trucks of hay, which he asserted were inferior in quality to what be bad contracted for, and the defendant counter-claimed for jB26 damages alleged to have been sustained by the non- delivery of hay up to contract. After reviewing the evidence, his Honour gave judgment for the plaintiffs on the whole claim, and also for them on the counter-claim.

Never less idle than when idle," was the iiiottc which the admirable Vittoria Colonna wrought upon her husband's dressing-gown. And may W., not justly regard our appreciation of leisure as I test of improved character and -rowiti,resouresl, ii ii».

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