South Wales Daily News

THE CWMPARK STABBING CASE. kA-t the Pentre petty sessions yesterday (before Mr wilym Williams, stipendiary magistrate, and Mr Wm, Jj! John M'Lean and Thomas Jones, Cwmpark again charged with stabbing Thomas James, near "wmdare Inn, on the 2nd of this month. M'Lean, ho WftS ou' o;l aPPeared in court a quarter of an UnK ke*ore the .time, aud Thomas Jones was brought the 12 o'clock train f'-om Cardiff. The court was •owded. Jones was c v ti/ bitterly, and appeared too weak to sfca»<t in the dock. Dr J. R. James, eajc^i 0fjcer to >. I'avies and Co., Ocean (Ba sa^ that he was daily attendiog the wounded tio +W^° was progressing slowly, and was not in a posi ■ flnt'i aPPftar 'n court. The case was further remanded -&Sl, Wednesday week, January 3rd, at Pontypridd. ^rann M'Lean was again let out on bail-

THE EVICTION OF NONCONFORMISTS IN OAKMUANSHIBE. At the last meeting of the central committee of the Cardiganshire Liberal Ass>c-ciHtioii, held at Tregaron, Colonel i'ryse, of Peithvll, the Lorcl-Lieut«nant of Cardiganshire' in the chair.it wat '.nanimou-ly re- solved, That the Warm sympathy of this association be offe'red to the minister and congregation of the Llwynrhydowen Unitarian Chapel in their present troubles." The foregoing resolution was forwarded to the Ilev William Thomas by Mr William Jones, of Llwynygroes, the general secretary of the association. At a meeting of the County Association of Welsh Con- gregationalists of Monmouthshire, held atiiibbw Vale on Tuesday, 12th December, 1S76, it was unanimously resolved That the association expressed a deep feeling of disapproval of the unkind and ungenerouscoaduct of landed proprietors in their interference with congrega- tions on account of their political and religious convic- tions, and a hope and trust that such instances as that which occurred at Llwynrhydowen, Cardiganshire,^would not occur again." The resolution was signed by J. HUGHES, Chairman. At a ia.ei.ins 0' the Swansea Unitarian congregation, he'd on the 10th December, 1876, Mr G. B. Brock m the chair the following resolution was unanimously passed: The congregation of the LmtarianChurch bwansea, send their warm sympathy to the minister and congrega- tion of the Llwynrhydowen Chapel, and hereby record their opinion of the eviction as being an act of mean and ungenerous despotism, and as betokening a disregard of the principles and obligations of civil and religious IibAttya meeting of the member, of the Penrhiw and Pantteg Unitarian congregations, Carmarthenshire, held at the close of the Sunday service, the flowing resolu- tions were unanimously agreed to :-(1) That we, believing in man's right to hold whatever views he chooses, both in politics and religion, beg to protest against the late eviction from t&eir chapel of the Llwynrhydowen congregation and minister, and to offer them our most hearty sympathy in their sore trial, hoping they will bear it with that patience and fortitude always characteristic of those who fight in the grand battle of truth and freedom." (2) "That we shall each, according to his or her means, contribute towards the fund for purchasing a suitable piece of ground, and building the intended memorial chapel thereon, within whose walls it is our wish that the principles so dear to every lover of human progress aqd welfare may be freely discussed and nobly defended," Acopy of the resolutions was sent to the Rev. W. Thomas, M.A. (Signed for the congregation) W. DAVIE. At the close of the religious services at the Unitarian chapels of Rhydygwin and Cilian-th latter being one of the oldest Nonconformist places of worship in Wales — respectively, the following resolutions were unani- mously passed, the Rev William Rees occupying the chair —1 That this coiagrestatton deeply sympathises with the minister and congregation of Llwynrhydowen, Llandyssul, on account of the cruel manner in which they have been turned out of their chapel, 2. That this congregation strongly disapproves of the conduct of Mr John Davies Lloyd in depriving the minister and his congregation of their place of worship on account of their difference in religious and political sentiments. It also considers it the duty of the Nonconformists to pio- test against the eviction aa an attempt to atine free thought and hinder freedom of speech." 3. "That a copy of the foregoing resolutions should be forwarded to the minister of the Llwynrhydowen congregation."

NEWPORT SCHOOL BOARD. An adjourned meeting of the Newport School Board took place yesterday, at the Town-hall. Mr W. Christo- phers presided, and there were also present Mr Charles Lewis, Mr R. N. Osborne, Mr W. Vaughan, Mr F. J. Mitchell, and the Rev J. W. Lance. A conversation arose out of a resolution which had been recorded, having reference to the desirability of keeping the rating of the borough and the extra muni- cipal parish separate. The Clerk explained that the precept was addressed to the overseers of the parish,which is extra municipal. The CHAIHMAN saici the question for them to decide was whether they would add such words to the resolution as to prevent any mistake arising from it. Mr VAUGHAN saw no difficulty in the way. T'he rate would have to be levied upon a certain valuation made, and that basis would continue until a fresh valuation took place. Another matter arising out of the minutes was the course to be adopted with reference to obtaining of summonses against parents or guardians who did not send their children to school. Mr KESSICK The deputy clerkjpositively refused to grant summonses unless the fees were prepaid. Mr LKWIS thought they should ask for a return of the fees charged and received, and not pay until that was furnished. Mr OSBORNE said it appeared to him that the magis. trates inflicted fines which they had no power to enforce. The CHAIRMAN remarked that in ordinary charges the summons is paid foT when it is taken out, consequently the clerk is always sure of his costs for the summons, but in school board cases this was not so. Mr OSBORNE The bench of magistrates appeared to have no power to enforce a penalty, and they did not enforce it. Mr LANCE asked the clerk if the magistrates had ever enforced a penalty. The Clerk believed that the magistrates did on one occasion issue a warrant. They brought the man to the Town-hall, and they let him go again. Mr LANCE: That was not enforcing the penalty. In ordinary cases there was the alternative if a fine were not paid, then imprisonment was the option. He never before heard of credit being given for penalties. Mr LKWIS (a msgiatrate) expressed the opinion that when a fine was inflicted, if there was no mention of imprisonment, then they had no power to enforce the payment of the fine. Mr OBBORiz remarked One doesn t like to see a man being sent to prison because his child doesn't go to school: but in the face of the new Act, which comes into operation at the beginning of the year, I cannot help thinking there has been a little weak sentimentality in this matter. Mr LEWIS said that the parents, when brought the maeistrates, made a promise that they would send their children to school. On the faith of that promise the case was often dismissed. The CHAIRMAN and other members remarked that the fact appeared to be lost sight of by the bench of magis. trates that issuing a summons against parents was the last resource. It was not done until every other means had been tried and failed. The compulsory committee investigated every case most minutely, and made due allowance for every reasonable excuse before harsher measures were adopted. Mr OSBORMK observed that it was clear to his mind that the whole thing was in a very unsatisfactory condi- It was at length resolved that a deputation, consisting of the vice-chairman, Mr Mitchell, Mr Lance and Mr Osborne, together with the clerk, be appointed to wait upon the magistrates, to explain to them the position in which they were placed in regard to the issuing of summonses, and the unsatisfactory way in which cases were disposed of by the bench. A motion to this effect was prepared by Mr Lance, submitted to the board, and approved. The clerk reported that Mr Graham, who had for some time had a school, conducted at Barnard town, purposed giving it up at the end of the year. This was a matter which would demand consideration. It was also mentioned that sooner or later a school would neces- sarily have to be provided in the neighbourhood of Bar- racks Hill. The clerk also stated that it was necessary to mention the sum of money likely to be needed for the ensuing year to the Public Loan Commissioneim before the 31st of December. After consultation, it was stated that 2.5,000 should be the sum stated as likely to be needed. Mr MlTCHBrJ. propose 1 a motion of which he had given notice, that the rate of fees to be paid by children attending board schools should be increased one penny per week to all children whose parents are above the position of labourers. „ That the question might be discusseo, the v ICE. CHAIRMAN, as a matter of form, soconded the motion. Mr OSBORNE moved an amendment, to the effect that the nuestion be referred to the management committee. The amendment was not pressed, but the resolution on being put to the vote was only supported by the pro. poser. A selection of medals and certificates was made as awards for scholars who had passed successful examina- tions, and who bad attained a certain number of marks for good conduct and attendance. This was all the business of interest. I

THE WHITCHURCH MUKDER. Miss Jenner write!! to inform us that she has for- warded to the Home Secretary, by a registered letter, nine yards of petition paper closely signed, praying for the reprieve of Mary Peterson Mahoney. The other petitions now in circulation should be completed and forwarded as soon as possible. The petition got up by Miss Jenner is headed by the Mayor of Cardiff, and 1 amongst the signatures are those of the Rev C. J. Thomp- son, vicar of St John's. Cardiff, the Dean of Llandaff, ) Mr W. Done Pushell, &c.

Caution.—Messrs RBCKETT & SONS beg to caution the pubjidaeainst iwitation square Blue of very inferior quality. The uaris Blue, in Squares (use,) in the Prince of Wa's'j T.nuudrv) ,01,1 II wrapper* beariuz their name and Titda Murk &S14 "THE VERT BEST is Taylor s Patent Sewing Machine with the new Improvements, which render it superior to all others for Dressmaking- and f'atuily use. It is simple to learn. easy to work, quiet in action, not liable to g.t oat of order C,, n be bad on ea\vte,rms of purchase, at a moderate price Intending pure'nroeri 11 unable to obtain Taylor's Patent Sewing Machines from local D.ealerø. are resp, ctfUlIv requested to 0-nd for a prospectus to 97, Chtapside, London, E.C.; Great Driffleld I Yorkshire; or the branch establishments, SQ, Silver-street, Hull. II' Sourh-*treBt, Kxtter; 182, Kirkgate, Wakefield; ani Ij:, Crockborbtow ID. Cardiff. Oslo

AMSLSG CHARGE OF THEFT. At the Pentie petty sessions, yesterday, Thomas Davies, Paudy, charged Benjamin Thomas, of the same place, with stealing a basket containing butter, jam. and meat. Mr Wiiliauis (Messrs Hollier and Williams) ap peared for the prosecution, and Mr David Kosser for the defence, JtJ isa Daties, daughter of the complainant, said that she went to Mrs Kneel's shop on Saturday night to buy some goods, and on the way home the defendant came to her and took her basket away. Mr Ilosser, in defeace, said that the charge against the defendant was made under very peculiar circumstances. The defendant met the complainant at the De Winton Hote!, and asked her if he should be allowed to carry her basket home. They went out together, and it appears that he wanted to introduce himself as a sweetheart to her, by assisting to carry the basket, which she allowed him to do. When they got near her home, he wanted to kiss her, which she refused to permit. Then the young man said that it was nothing but right for him to have a kiss before leaving her, and he kept hold of the basket until she would grant him a kiss. Before this she ran into home without it, and said in the house that some young man had stolen the basket. Mr Rosser added that the defendant had a very good character, and was respected in the neighbour hood. The bench dismissed the case.

i'EWPORT COTJNTY COUI'T. (Before Mr J, M. HERBERT.) AIRY AND SONS V. JENKINS. Plaintiffs, who are builders at Abercarne, were repre. sented by Mr Gibbs. and thsy sued the defendant (repre- sented by Mr C. R. Lyne) to recover the balance of an account for building a shop at Abercarne. Plaintiffs agreed to build for J180, and there were extras, making the total accoiuit 120S 8s 4d. Towards that plaintiff paid JS195, and the balance due was £8 8s 4;1. The case was adjourned because a document had not been stamped. His Honour advised the partiis to settle in the mean- time. AIRY AND SONS V, EVANS. f This was a similar case, Mr Vaughan appearing for ta^ulefendant, a clothier. Plaintiffs agreed to build a houle for the defendant at a cost of £ 140. A balance of £5 was due, and this the defendant refused to pay be- cause he had had to pay extra for a pine end. A question was raised as to the right of the plaintiffs to sue, because they had filed a petition for liquidation, and the case was adjourned. CAKRLKON HIGHWAY BOARD V. HARRIS. v. appeared for the plaintiffs, and Mr Graham for the defendant. The action was brought to recover the value of a map, or the map itself, which the board said belonged to them. The defence was that the map was made by the defendant himself at his leisure moments, and for his own use. His Honour held that defendant was entitled to remuneration for his services in making the plan. The case was adjourned for the map to be valued. HDOHKS V. MILNER. i tus was an action to recover £ 40, the value of a horse. Plaintiff (represented by Mr David) is a haulier at Maindee, defendant (for whom Mr Vaughan appeared) is a farmer at Whitson. Last summer plaintiff agreed with defendant to place his horse at grass for 5s per week. At the end of six weeks defendant proposed to werk the horse for its keep, and on the 3rd of September plaintiff went to look at the horse, when he found it suffering from a bad wound. It died on the 9tb. Plaintiff got 14s for the carcase. The horse was worth £40. The defence was that the horse was in a poor con- dition when it went to his field. After he began to work the animal it fell into a ditch, and a wound appeared on its body. The horse was not worth more than E5. His Honour said that the defendant was bound to show that he had treated the horse properly, and the case was ad- journed till to-day. to call a veterinary surgeon. BOTHANLEY V. JENKINS. This was an action to recover the value ot a norse. Plaintiff (for whom Mr "Vaughan appeared) was the trustee in the estate of Charles Williams, farmer, Gold- cliff, a bankrupt; defendant was Reuben Jenkins, farmer, Nash. After Williams became bankrupt the plaintiff put a man in possession, and on the day follow- ing Mrs Williams was allowed to ride the horse to New- port market. Defendant then got possession of thehorBe. and claimed it because be had bought it of Ashtield in May last. The plaintiff was nonsuited.

W0RCESTEUSHINII WLNTEI! ASSIZES. WORCESTER, MONDAY. Mr B-ron Iiuddleston took his seat in the assize court this morning at ten o'clock, and the grand juries for the city and county were at once sworn, after the usual formal business. Sir E. A. H. Lechmere, M.P.. being the chairman of the c«unty grand jury, and Air W. D. Deighton for the city. The city, however, turned out to be a maiden assize. THE CASE OF RAPE BY A FATHER. Mr Maddy made an application to his lordship to remit back the prisoner Frederick Atkins, charged with a rape on his own daughter, to Monmouthshire for trial, under the following circumstances. The prisoner was committed on the 20th October, the charge being alleged to have arisen at Aberystrutb, on the 17th of that month. On Friday last the local officer went to the house of the mother of the girl to give notice that she must attend at Worcester on Saturday, and the mother said she was gone out to service, but promised that she should be at the police station,or at the railway station at Pontypool, to accompany him to Worcesttr on the Saturday. How- ever, neither the mother nor the girl was forthcoming, and the question arose whether the girl had not been purposely kept out of the way. His Lordship said he must have some evidence before he made the order accordingly. Thomas O'Donnell, one of the Monmouthshire Constabu- lary, was put in the witness box, and proved that he had been < o the house of Mrs Atkins, who had promised her daughter should appear, but had failed to bring her according to appointment. He added that a woman had informed him that the girl had been sent from Pontypool to Newport and theace to Bristol on a visit to her friends.The Judge referred to several Acts of Parliament from Phillip and Mary downwards, to see what power he had under the circumstances. He then decided that he would net estreat the recognizances of the girl. but that as it appeared to him that the ends ef justice might be defeated by taking the trial at the present moment he would make an order to remit the case back to Monmouthshire, there to be tried at the next spring assizes. The girl muit be bound over in her own recognizances. The prisoner asked to be admitted to bail, pleading that he was suffering from rheumatism. His Lordship said that in a case like this, where a man was charged with a rape on his own daughter, and that his defence was that she had offered to consent if he would give her some articles of clothing, he most ctr- tainly should refuse to admit him to bail. CHABGE OF ARSOX. Francis Gallivan was charged with unlawfully, maliciously, and feloniously setting fire to a wheat rick belonging to John Walters, at Ll tndenny, on the 25th November last. The prisoner, on being arraigned, pleaded guilty. It was stated that tbe prisoner, a labourer, had gone to the prosecutor's house and asked for some refreshment, and that on its being refused he went at once to the stack-yard and set a wheat rick on fire. The rick was in the centre of a number of other ricks and buildings. When called upon if he had anything to say, the prisoner said be did not set the rick on tire wilfully, but that in lighting his pipe it had accidentally caught fire. His Lordship thereupon directed the plea of guilty to be withdrawn, and the prisoner to take his trial in due form. The prisoner was afterwards put upon his trial. Mr Laurence prosecuted. The prisoner WA3 undefended by counsel. According to the statement of the prosecutine counsel, the prisoner had been in the employ of the prosecutor some time previously, and on the night in question he called at the prosecutor's house (a farmer) and aaked for a night's lodging. This was refused, and he then asked for 2., which he said was owiug to him for wages. This also was refused, and as he insisted on remainine until he was paid, he was forcibly ejected. Shortly afterwards the rick was seen to be on fire. John Walters and John Walters junr. proved the above fact. and George Wil- liams, waggoner to Mr Walters, said he saw the prisoner leave the bouse, and observed him o out of the public road towards the rickyard. Prisoner was found guilty, and was sentenced to ten years' penal servitude,

I LOCAL BANKRUPTCY APPEAL. fix parte AI-KXANDUK KM.ICK. I Yesterday, at toe Lon<io;i JLtfJkrnptcy Court, the hearintr of this case, which waa comniouoed a fortnight or three weeks ago, was :t,"aill resumed. It appeared that the bankrupt, who wa;, a cabiuetwaker and the pro- prietor of saw mills at A'oerdaro, bad leased a piece of ground on which he had erected saw mills, and having fallen into difficulties it was found on the liquidation petition taking place that he had raised money both upon the lease, the fixtures, tools, and machinery in the mill, and the question which therefore arose was whether the bill of sale, on which money was raised as regarded the fixtures, was binding as against the trustee, and the county court judge had decided that it was, from which the present appeal was brought. Mr Little, Q.C., appeared on behalf of the appealing trustee, instructed by Messrs Griffiths and Corbett, of Cardiff, and Mr De Gex, Q.C., and Mr i-J veritt for the bill of sale holder. Mr Little, in continuation of his former argument, contended that there were, in fact, two distinct powers of sale under the deed, which was distributivs in its character, and that if that which had relation to the parting with the fixtures was exercised, it was a bill of sale, and ought to have been registered, otherw it void against a trustee in bankruptcy, or an execution creditor. He contended that the textures were in the position of goods and chattels, and the learned counsel went through the whole of the cases bearing011 the point, from that of Mather and Fraser, reported in Kay and Johnson, Waterfall and Penistone, C. Eliza Black- burne. Boyd and Sharrock, Debbie and Fenwick, Dag- lish, Hawbry and Butbin, down to the case of Jacob and Meux in the House of Lords- He observed that no point arose during the argument, and the law seemed perfectly clear; but unfortunately the learned judtre reserved his judgment, and delivered what he (Nir little) might term a vacation judgment, a written judgment; and it happened that in the interval between the hearing of the argument and the writing of the judgment that a number of the reports of the House of Lords cases, con- taining a report of Jacobs v. Meux, came under his observation, and the learned judge carae to the conclu- sion that the law of the cases above referred to was wrong, and had been reversed by the House of Lords, ^jjhereas the circumstances of the case were entirely "tjifferent. Mr De Gex, Q.C., and Mr Everitt, on the other side, relied upon the fact that the power to sell in parcels given by the deed, and the fact that the land was suitable for carrying on more than one business took it out of the law of the cases. which decided that when fixtures appertaining to machinery were assigned there would be a registration of a bill of sale affecting them; but that the t>'St was that this wascleailv a demise, and not an assignment, and, therefore, that the deed was a deed demising the fixtures with the freehold, and not an assignment, and therefore the trustee was not entitled. JKo questions of fact were raised, and after a lengthened argument, The learned judge said that the case appeared to him to resolve itself into the simple question of whether this was a bill of sale or not, and if it was a bill of sale it was void as against the trustee, through not having liteii registered. Questions of this kind had often been before the court, and the law was pretty well settleri by them. The Lords Justices had admitted that the distinction which existed between this kind of case and that of ex parte Barclay was a fiue one, but still it wa, a substan- stantial distinction. If there be an assign- ment of chattel?, net of necessity fixed goods, the Bill of Sales' Act would apoly, and it must be registered otherwise, it would not take effect against the trustee. He thought that the intention of the parties was perfectly distinct in this case, and that their nosition was in no way affected by the case in the House of Lords, which had been referred to. In his view,- therefore. the decision wnich the county court judge had arrived at was wrong, and must be reversed. The appeal was consequently affirmed, with costs.

THE HERMiT DRAMATIC CLUB. With a view to benefit tbe funds of the new iufirmary building, the Hamadryad Hospital Ship, and the Blind Institute, at Cardiff, the Hermit Amateur Dramatic Club commenced their series of dramatic performances at the Cardiff Theatre Koyal last night. It is no wonder that a large and somewhat fashionable audience was present, since the object was so good, and the club, under whose auspices the first performance was given, has attained so much local fame. The play chosen for representation last night was one of Lord Lytton's- Money "—and of course in this the assistance of several actresses was reruired. Tbe ladies who com- pleted tbe caste were Miss Kate Percy,as ZaeJ.v Frank/pn, Miss Hattie Mason, as Clara Douglas, and Miss -A. B. Melville as Gtorgina Vesep. The names, real or assumed, of the members of the club were-Mr F. Har. rison John Vtsey), Mr W. Carlisle (Lord Glossmore), Mr T. VV. Crossley (Grains), Mr K. J. Clinton (Stout), Mr T. F. Murray {Gapt iin Dudley Smooth), Mr A. Lane (lIlr Sharp), and Mr J. G. Vernon (Alfred Evelyv. The latter-named was the epirit of the play, and he acquitted himself with some credit. At all events, be was distinct in bis articulation—a quality so often lacking in amateur performances. He was more or less ably supported by the other gentlemen, Mr Lane being particularly at home as Mr Sharp. Miss Kate Percy acted Lady Franklyn admirably, and Mr F. S. Harrison played tbe part of Sir John Vesey with ease. The applause so frequently be- stowed by the audience testified that the efforts of the actors were not unappreciated. To-night Morton's favourite comedy, All that glitters is rot gold," will be played and on Wednesday The Lady of Lyons,"

CORRESPONDENCE. CHRISTMAS DINNER FOR THE POOR, AND OTHEK CHARITIES To the Editor of the SOUTH WALES DAILI NEws. SIB.-Allow me through you to appeal to those of your readers who have the means to send us something for our poor people. Last Christmas we provided dinner for between 300 and 400 poor people. The only qualifi- cation for tickets for the dinner was poverty-sept and party were totally disregarded. Treats were also given to nearly 600 of our Sundav school children. And through the liberality of our good merchants many of the deserv- ing poor received help durintr the cold winter months. I hope many will also this Christmas kindly send me their contributions, and have the satisfaction of bringipg com- fort to others at this holy season.—I am &e G. ARTHUR JONES S. Mary's Vicarage, Cardiff. Dec. 18, 1876.

COUGHS, ASTHMA, BRONCHITIS,-Medical Testimony states that no ether u edicine ia 110 effectual in the cure of those danizerous iiaaladies ag liEATINO'S Cot sH LOZENGES. One Lozenge alone gives relief, one or two at bed time ensures rest Sold by all them-.ste, in boxtat Is *nd 2s 9c!. They con- tain 1.0 ODiuro < r Dreuaration t-lier—.f. 10742 COUGHS, ASTHMA, BROHCHITIS, AND HOARSKNISS may BE cured by takliiif one tea"pounlul of DUDGEON'S PKCTOBAII BALSAK three times daily- Sola ill Hetties )Sid each. "Bed- miIJster December. 14.- Sir,-After spenditjr over 20 in doctoT's'foes, for a cough tha £ troubled me twelve n orifhi, I tried your Pectoral balsam, snd J.Jilfra-bott'e e HI, d a cure, and I have n t had a return s nce.— JOSEPH YLAR. *eent, Williams. Chemist, Bute street, OrdiS- 10?01

ANNUAL DINNER OF THE BRYNM A W RJOLU N TEEUS. On Monday evening, the annual dinner of the 2nd Brecon or Brynmawr liifle Volunteers took place at the long room of the Griffin Hotel, which was most pro- fusely decorated for the occasion. Over tbe mantelpiece, neav which sat the chairman, was placed the old ( olours of the company, iu the centre of which was the familiar coat of arms of the Baileys, whilst at the other # nd of the room were the colours of the company. The com- pany fell in at half-past three o'clock, at the armoury, whence they marched, headed by the band, under the leadership of Bandmaster Foxall, to the old schoolrooms in Newtown, which is to be improvised as a drill hall for the corps. Here the accoutrements and arms were most minutely iu- spected byCaptain Bailey and Adjutant Braddon. This being over, the company were marched back again to the armoury, after which the corps adjourned to the Grinin Hotel for the dinner, which was well served up under the special supervision of Mr R. Wain, the respected pro- prietor. The viands and eatables were all that could be desired. The chair was occupied by Captain Bailey, who was supported on the right by Lieut. Browne and Mr A. M. Jones on the left by Captain Braddon and Surgeon Skrimshire. These were also about 70 volun- teers present. After ample justice had been done to the good things provided, the cloth was removed, and the gallant captain proposed the usual loyal toasts, which were duly reoponded to. Lieutenant BROWNE proposed the Health of the Lord Lieutenant of the County, Sir Joseph Bailey." (Cheers.) Captain BAILEY responded on behalf of Sir Joseph Bailey, in very kind terms, and said were it not for his daily engagements in other parts of the county he would have been present. The toast of The Army and Navy" having been proposed by the CHAIRMAN, Captain Braddon responded, in return proposed The Health of the gallant Captain of the Company"—who was a good voluntoer and a thorough gentleman—Captain Bailey, whose name was received with loud and prolonged cheering. Captain BAILEY, who was received with vociferous applause, spoke at some length, Ke first re- ferred to the good muster at drill in the afternoon, numbering twenty-five files. Their conduct at camp had also been satisfactory, and he regretted that owing to ill-health, caused by sleeping in a damp bed, he wasunaLle to attend camp nor the drills of the company for some months back. The gallant captain then gave his company some useful hints as to their drills, and the neat and orderly manner in which they should always turn out on such occasions. He added that so long as they supported him as their captain as well as they had done in the past, he would always support them and take a prcud and lively interest in the corps. (Loud applause.) The CAPTAIN next proposed the toast of The Non- commissioned Officers of the 2nd Brecon Rifle Volun- teers." Colour Sergeant WEtiB and Sergeant FORT) responded. Captain BRADDON next proposed "The Health of Lieutenant Browne," which was drunk with musical honours. Lieutenant BROWNE, in responding, referred to the Eastern question, and oai,l bethought England was never better prepared for war than at present. England, he said, did not usually publish what they were doing. (Cheers.) Lieutenant Browne then referred to the corps, and promised to amend his ways in the futuie, and attend drill more often in the future than in the past. There were several rninnr toailta proposed, and during the evening the band of the corps and the glee party of the corps played and sang several pieces. A most enjoy- able evening was spent.

"GIVEN AWAY-"—A POCKET ALMANAC for 1877, sent ft-eape-r post, on sending alldi-css to Messrs H"rninn,n, Tea Importeis, London, or had Gratis of their Acreuts in this locality addresses in our advertising columns. The Almanac is pnnte-1 in colors, tli-wing s'x vitws talten from ph-ito^rnphs' of M'gsrg Hnrnnnan's t<'o plantation in China a:i l •• shippim of Horniman's Tea to England where thev have 3.53S Agents for their celebrated Pure. Tea in i sckeU. To those who are looking for PLEASING LNOVELIIES for the CHRISTMAS SEASON, WE WONT 1 ndvue a visit to the ■Eetablishmei.t of Messrs", E. SINGFli & CO., of QCEIX SIREET, CARDIFF. There, on former occasion?, care has betn taken to te ect articles as varied si.d tsstsful as can be rbtumed, and the resuit is, the Sv ck, tofh in usetul snri orr^nieDtil Ir ods, is of such a description as to merit the favour 01 he pubii?. l 11868-3*13

I FEARFUL COLLIERY EXPLO- SION AT ABERTILLERY. LOSS OF NINETEEN LIVES. FOURTEEN PERSONS INJURED. (FROM OUR OWN REPORTER.) The immunity from colliery disasters enjoyed by this district for many months was broken yesterday by an explosion which resulted in the destruction of many lives and the serious injury of a number of workmen. This catastrophe occurred at the South Wales Colliery, Aber- tillery. The sudden changes in the barometer last week induced many persons to predict that an event similar to that which occurred last year at the Llan Colliery would take place. The prediction has been verified, and as far as can be ascertained the cause was identical with that which operated at the Llan Colliery. The South Wales Colliery is situated on the mountain, about a mile-and-a-half from Abertillery, and descends on one side to the Itisca, and on the other to the Blaina, valleys. It is one of the most picturesque spots in Mon- mouthshire, coveied with vegetation, and but for the tall chilliney here and there, and the clusters of colliers' cottages in the valley. there is little indicaticn that the district is one where colliery operations are carried on to a great extent. The South Wales Colliery is not alto- gether a new undertaking, though it is one of the most extensive in Monmouthshire, and occupies an area of ground nearly a inile in diameter. In 1864, after having been worked for some time on the Risca side of the mountain the colliery was leased to a company of gentle- men who formed themselves into the South Wales Colliery Company, with Colonel Hey worth. Wain Vawr, Risca, a gentleman of considerable iiiinirig experi. ence, as managing director. Lately Colonel Heyworth has been made chairman of the company, and Mr John Jones has been appointed as manager. The workings of the colliery, uuder the direction of Mr W. Adauis, C.E., Cardiff, consulting engineer, have been extended to the Cwintillery side of the mountain, where a shaft was sunk to the three quarter coal seam named after Mrs Heyworth, the Rose Heyworth pit. "Thence the workings were extended until they joined those of the old pit. The ventilation was then changed, and the down cast made at the new pit. and the old pit was made the up cast. the ventilation has been maintained so perfectly that, while the coal worked was the Fteam coal I vein, naKea lights were used m a lar ,e proportion of the colliery. From the new pit, the Rœ -eywortii, a long tuunel extended for nearly half a J in a westerly direction, and recently headings have been driven from it to the north and south. The number of men usually employed in the colliery underground is about 500. abuut 500. On Monday morning the fireman, Sir Evans, went round the colliery as usual and reported all safe, and at six o'clock about 360 men went down and were sooa dispersed over the whole of the colliery. In the district where the explosion occurred about 35 men ware working. The explosion was entirely confined to three or four headings in about the centre of the tunnel, and about a quarter of a mile from the Rose Heyworth pit. The shock was so slight that men working in the same colliery, and about half a mile distant, were not aware that anything had occurred until called to aid the exploring party who first went down. They did not even observe the change in the direction of the air, owing to the brattices and doors having been blown down. About half past eight o'clock in the morning one of the colliers at the end of the tunnel heard the gas go off, and immediately ran to the pit and gave the alarm. In a short time Mr Jones, the manager, went down and pro- ceeded to the spot. The first effects observed were the doors blown off the hinges, and the brattices to the headings blown down. A little further on two horses were found in the main roadway, dead. One had evidently succumbed to the choke damp, and the other bad died from the effects of the explosion, having evidently been blown some distance. The damage to the workings was very slight. A few doors were the only portion of the workings displaced. Several bodies were soon met with at the entrance of the stalls, and these thickened in number as the party approached the stail worked by Goodwin and son, where it is supposed the explosion actually took place. Both are dead, and severely burnt. The whole district is woiked with naked lights, but it is conjectured that through j some portion ot this stall the gas, owing to a fall of coal, had escaped, and when it entered one of the main roads, had become sufficiently diluted with atmcspheric air as to cause the explosion in the presence of naked lights. That the explosion occurred near the main airway was indicated by the dead bodies being burned, while those in the stalls had died from choke damp. Dr Brewer, who resides at Abertillery, was sent for as soon as the alarm was given. On his arriving the bodies, and also those who were injured, were sent up as rapidly as possible, and in about an hour after the explosion was known 17 bodies, and 16 men very much injured, were brought up to the bank. As they were recognised they were sent to their homes. When the accident became known the wives and relatives of the colliers flocked round the mouth of the pit in a state of the most painful suspense, and the assistance of the police was required to keep them back. The whole of the colliers at work resided in the com- pany's cottages at the foot of the mountain, a short distance from the pit's mouth. Here some very distress- ing scenes occurred. Few of the men killed are old, but many of them have wives and families, and the wailing and crying of the bereaved ones were piteous to listen to. Dr Brewer and his assistant were unremitting in their efforts to ease the pain of the sufferers, many of whom were in great agony from burns. t)ne man, John G riffiths, was found to be suffering from lockjaw. Al I the injured men were conveyed on the shoulders of theil companions, followed by a crowd of their relatives and neighbours, to their home?. The dead bodies were placed on stretchers, decently covered with a cloth, and in this way they also were carried to the homes of their bereaved families. All the men below came up, and the extent of the disaster was soon made known. The news quickly spread; tho colliers in the neighbourhood left their work and flocked to the scene. As soon as possible Mr Green, the manager of the Abercarne Colliery, Mr Pond,of the Old 4bercarneCol- liery, Mr J. Williams, manager, Nantyglo, and Mr Henry Jacobs, mineral surveyor, Newport, left for Abcl tillery, to render what assistance they could in the event of their services being required. Mr S. W. Kelly, Cardiff (representing the South Wales Coal Company, Risca), with Mr Piggsford, coal-viewer, also went to Abertillery for the same object. Mr Piggstord, Mr Green, Mr Pond, aud Mr Jacobs, accompanied by Mr Jones, the manager of the colliery, went down the pit. Very shortly afterwards Colonel Heyworth aud Mrs Heyworth arrived at Abertillery. Colonel Heyworth at once descended the pit to ascertain the extent of the damage, while Mrs Heyworth went from bouse to bouse, and on ascertaining: what was re- quired gave directions that every waut should be supplied. The iujnred received from her hand some kind of nourishment which she had hastily prepared for them, and the relatives of the deceased had words of consola- tion spoken to them by one who evidently deeply sym- pathised with them in their distress. Au examination of the workings caused thg managers and Mr Heyworth considerable surprise. 1:4 or £ 5 would replace the damage done to the colliery, while 17 men had been killed, and 16 injured, besides a few doors blown down, and brattices removed, nothing was disturbed. There was no indication of heat. Every part of the stalls and headings was carefully examined, and in only one part of the chain heading was any gas found. Here there was no injury, and the only indications of the explosion were found at the entrance to the stalls from the main roadway. It is con- jectured that the gas from Goodwin's stall, on meeting with the atmosphere in the main roadway. But this conjecture is only based on the fact that the ext-rnal portions of the stalls are slightly damaged. That the irruption of gas was small is evident from the limited area to which the injury to life and property was confined, as the bodies of the dead and those who were injured were all found within a few yards of Goodwin's stall. Goodwin's body was severely burnt, while that of his son was only identiaed by some articles of clothing still remaining on him when found, LIST OF PERSONS KILLED. J Thomas Ashman, 27, collier, single. ] John Jeffries, 23, single. | Stephen Stevens, 25, single. Samuel Pritchard, 21, single. Thomas Miles. 37, married, five children. William Goodwin, 41;, married, se veral children. Alfred Moore, 42, married. Henry Purnell, 40, married, no children. Henry Morse. 22, single. George Steves, 35, married, several children. Samuel stepbeti.-on. 22, single. William Goodwin, 15, son of William Goodwin, also killed. Thomas Hunt, 2o, married, no children Seth Frpeenatd, 15. single, Henri Eyres, 22, single, Wiiliam Mason, 20, singla. George Pike, 50, married, with a family. The persons who are injmed are Richard Jones (17), John Griffiths, John Robert Wales, Robert Wellineton. L. John Jones. Badly burnt-David Samuels (30). John David (16), Lewis John Roach, James Dairy, Charles Swain, John Bethel, John Jones, George Whately. and John Llewellyn (door boys), John Evans and William Evans. By two o'clock the whole of the pit was in workup order, but the chairman of the directors would not allow anyone to go down until the colliery was inspected by Mr Cadman, the Government inspector of the district, who was telegraphed for, but who did not arrive that day. In the evening two of the injured men died, and it is feared that others who are badly burnt will not survive long. About twenty years since an explosion, unattended with loss of life, occurred at the same colliery, but the system of working has been carried on so carefully that no accident ot any serious description has since occurred at the colliery, which has been regarded as one of the safest in the district, the appfiances for ventilation being almost perfect. In some of the deer workings safety lamps are being used, and it is very pro bable that the present accident will cause the safety lamp to be used throughout the colliery. But from the circumstance that it was Monday morning, upwards oi 80 men would have been working in the heading where the explosion took place.

THE SWANSEA COMMISSION CASE. In the High Court of Justice, yesterdav, the case OJ Mason v. Cory was before Lord Coleridge and Justice Mellor. The Solicitor-General, Mr Herschell, Q.C. and Mr Julian Dunn were for the plaintiff. This was a case which was tried before the Lord Chiel Baron at the sittings in London, and resulted in a verdict for the defendant. The Solicitor- General now moved the Court that that verdict should be set aside and a new trial had, ou the ground of misdirection, and the improper reception of evidence and it was also asked that a new trial should be had, as the verdict was against evidence. The action was brought by a French gentleman, named Jules Mason, against Messrs Cory and Yeo, colliery proprietors at Swansea, for commission, or remuneration in the nature of commission,for procuring the sale of their colliery. Tne Ceurt granted a rule nisi for a new trial.

EXCITING FOOT-RACE NEAR CARDIFF. A foot-race of 120 yards, for JS25 a-side, between C. Scott, of Ystrad, and Vaughan, of Llanelly, was satis- factorily brought to an issue at liumney Hill, near Car- diff, yesterday afternoon, and proved of sufficient importance to bring a large company together, cabs being freely engaged to convey the pedestrians and their friends from Cardiff and Newport. Scott is well known to the public of South Wales. havinz been succesful in several races in this neighbourhood. It may be stated that Scott has won five races in succession, the last one being with W. Davies, of Swansea. On this occasion the stakes were £ 25 a-side. and Scott won by li yard. Vaughan has not previously been heard of much in this district, c Mr Hosgood, landlord of the Railway Inn, Aberdare, was referee, and Mr Brown, of the Eagle Hotel, Cardiff, starter. Un the signal being given both left their respective marks very evenly. Vaughan soon led by a short distance, both running with the greatest determina- tion. Slowly but surely, however, Scott gained upon his opponent, and when they had got about half the distance Scott, full of running, came away and won by two yards. The betting was in favour of Scott.

THE EA STEM CRISIS. (REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.) CONSTANTINOPLE, MONDAY EVENING* The preliminary Conference is pursuing its laboutt under favourable circumstances. There will be another meeting to-morrow. Counts Chandordy and de Boargoing, the French plenipotentiaries, will be received in private audience by the Sultan to-moirow. VIENNA, MOXDA7. The Political Correspondence of this evening states that the S 3rvisu Government has agreed to the demand of Austria that an enquiry should be made by a mixed commission into the circumstances attending the affair of the Austrian steamer Radetzky. The Servian Government pleaged itself at the same time to iaflict severe punishment on all who are found to be impli. j cated in it. A prolongation of the armistice until the first of March is considered at Belgrade to be immi. nent.

[fROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS, REUTER'S AOENCYt j PRESS ASSOCIATION, AND CENTRAL NEWS.] RAILWAY COLLISION AND LOSS OF LIFE IN FRANCE. PARIS, Monday .Evening.—A collision occurred yes- terday on the line between Chatillon and Aix. So far as is known up to the present, there were 8 killed and 15 wounded.

THE UNITED STATES. ASHINGTON, Monday.-The Secretary of State has communicated to Congress the diplomatic correspond- ence exchanged last summer on the question of extra- dition between Canada and the United States. From these documents it appears that Sir Edward Thornton, at Lord Dufferin's request, twice notified to Mr Fish that the Canadian Government held Americau criminals awaiting extradition. On another occasion the British minister demanded the extradition -of a Canadian criminal who had taken refuge in tha United States. Mr Fish, in reply, declined either to demand or to grant the extradition of criminals.

NEW SOUTH WALES. NEWCASTLE, NEW SOUTH WALES, English cricketers played and won a match against the Eleven of this town to-day.

THE EGYPTIAN LEBT. CAIRO, Monday.—The immediate payment of tiiA overdue coupons of the short loans has been ordered. The nomination of the English and French comptrol- lers-general is being hastened as much as is consistent with the necessary consultations between the English and French Governments. Mr G. W. Romaine will probably be appointed to the post of English comptrol- ler-general. Although over one million pounds is still required, it is affirmed that the coupon due on the 15th January will be paid.

THE VICAR OF STRATFORD-ON-AYOJF AND HIS CHOIR. The Rev Canon Collis, D.D., vicar of Stratford-on- Avon, has lately issued an order affecting the Sunday services, to which the cboir offer a determined opposi- tion, ana have struck. The congregation siding with the choristers are giving np their sittings in a body. The stipend of the clergyman mainly depends upon the pew rents, but he shows no disposition to give way.

ROYALTY AND TYt'JMID FEVER. The illness of Prince Adolphnv the eldest son of tbd Duke and Duchess of Teck.say? the London correspondent of the Manchester Guardian, which 1 mentioned a fort- night ago, has sorely puzzled the doctors. It has proved tf) be a severe attack of typhoid fever, which, ai is usual in such attacks, reached its crisis ou the twenty-first day after the ieizure-that is, last Monday and it seems that the young Prince (be is eight year. old) has since been in some danger from extreme exhaustion, though the latest reports are favour- able. 1 he difficulty is to account for the fever. White Lodge stands in the middle of Richmond-park, where in- fection would seem to be impostibie and it appears that the water which is used at the hoiice has been analysed and riund to be pure, while tbe drainage is said to be perfect. Tiie general opinion of medical men is that typhoid is never developed spontaneously. This attack, however, occut-ring exactly at the period of the year when the Prince Consort died and when the Prince of Wales was so seriously ill four years ago. suggests the question whether there may not be such a thing as a faruily tendency to the disease. It is, at any rate, as one of the medical papers has remarked, a curious fact thai a fourth member ot th« .°y. Family of England had been attacked "with typhoid within fifteen years.

FITS.- EPILEPTIC FITS OR FALLING SICKNESS.—A certain method of cute has been discovered for this distrejsing col-il) %'lnt bv a physic an who is decirous that all sufferers mtv- benefit providential discovery; it is never known t(» fail, ami Z) cure the most hopeless case after all other mean4 have beeu tiied. fw 1 particulars will bf cent by pratta aD. person fr?,e ot charffe. Address Ma WILLIAMS, 10, OXFORD Terr re Hve P»'k. London. THK CURE FOR TOOTHACHE AND ALL PAINS.—D» V!er« looihaciie PiliS Drver lail, when taken as directed, tocure the most severe Toothache, lie Po'orew Neuralgia, kheums. Far. ache, and all psins arisir.,r f,-O" red vervous avstou) so ft, n tansed hy f bar ye <-f d temperature. Mr T. E. L>av'es. -K V r-tein<> 91 eet, e >1, vfrjtpg—" Please send me. without de ay, a bo*of vou Toothache Pills. I havealwayq found relief br ta, inz .vours. and although Liverpool is a largo I place, I cannot find ayyhina to equal them here.Sold in hrxes at Is lid. and Sis Del, by »]' *espee able chemists: pog- free, id extra. Sole pminietor, it hA Davies, Chemist, FODU. i ortild 1017 J

our trade honesty and manliness, while at K &nri same time the people are cheated in pocket injured in health and life, is to preach the oepel; and is to preach the Gospel, too, 011 that needed and necessary side of it where it has been sadly neglected in the pulpit. We have plenty OQ 1fCour8es andto spare on metaphysical theology; f ne an(^ dogma on cloudy creeds and ract articles of faith, splitting the difference Ween south and south-west side on l<alb and P8 and rochet and stole," on bendings, and Smgs, and chanting, and incense swing- is and posture making; what now is *3 a healthy, practical style of racing, combining the emotional with t. lntellectual, and which shall go straight U th 9 k08,1^ wkile it enlightens the head. This He 1° ^rea^ waHt of the modern pulpit. The age 3 directness of appeal combined with suffii- cy of motive an honesty of rebuke in the D rti minS^e(i with that human sycv x y for the wrong-doer which links te^6^er pulpit and the pew, the illaf aD^ taug^t? the just and the un- > the criminal and the judge. Religion has en Up in the clouds too long enshrined in musty 8 aod dogmas or travestied and caricatured ^mnlariesand ritual, and genufluxions and millinery,and bodily twistings and worship. ? Owning in man after the divine cannot be with the husks of doctrine, or with the stracion8 of scholastic theology; neither can in6 6V^ man's nature be purified by throwing, or eradicated by the ifting Qf crucifixes, the lighting of VVpers on altars, or bowing to the east. pla Wan^ an°ther kind of religion, and in another lilf06 want a religion—practical and direct th^ Christ taught—brought down from i 6 clouds into the marts of commerce and of trade; into the markets behind shop counters UiJ3^6 Ware^ouae3 the trader, and the count. ^3 uses the merchant. The world needs to taught—we regret to say the Church needs to for —^at religion is n >t creeds, or roularies that it is not a covering to be put on Hot one's Sunday clothes; that it is bu* 8 Pr°te38i°n> nor a bodily service est" ^at cons"1*3 in performing hon- duty to Heaven and to men. A man 7 be as truly religious in measuring a yard of behind the counter, or in selling a bale of goods in his waruse. as if he were worshipping Ul church or chapel. But the man who uses false ^ts, or an unjust balance the man who sells lS goods by short measures, or palms off shoddy the buyer for sound material; the man who derates his articles, whether of food, or cloth- .I1g, or use, or who sells them to the unwary, owing them to be adulterated, is not a relicrious caan-, whatever his profession may be. HJ is not a moral man he is not an honest man and *_OULD, doubtless, if the GREAT TEACHEK. or a forerunner were to visit earth again, included in the wolves in sheep's clothing of One, or the generation of vipers of the other. The Ulodern pulpit seems to have forgotten this, and Rector of Merthyr is to be congratulated that, "lth a courage worthy of his office and of the oc- c&sion, lie condemned from the pulpit the tricks ( ^d gross deceptions which so many practice in i aae, and the iniquitous adulterations by which, "lie increasing their profits, they injure the Pockets, the health, and the lives of their fellow Dlen. Such preaching as this may not be, as the 4everend JOHN GRIFFITH confessed, "the gospel Poaching of the 19th century," but we are as- sured with him that it is the gospel of JESUS CaRIST and the gospel of JOHN THE BAPTIST." It is to be regretted, therefore, that a sermon 80 truthful in its conception, so needful in its teashings, and so fearless in its utterances, should be marred by what might readily be construed into an ungracious personality. In condemning the "tricks of trade," Mr GRIFFITH referred to e iron trade in South Wales, to the making of lrorl rails, and to a process of what is called" blooming" the rails, which gave the lotten and worthless rails" a deep blue tinge of the best iron." "It was this trickery," said Mr GRIF- *1th> and nothing else, that had ruined the iron rade, and had brought about the introduction of 'teel rails." We know nothing of the fact to hich the Rector of Merthyr deposes, but we :anQot help thinking that it was, at the least, judicious and somewhat ungenerous to refer in this district to the adulteration of iron rails,unless Mr GRIFFITH intended to make a more special application of his indictment than he has dolle. And for this reason. There are bu.t few makers of iron rails in Glamorgan- re and Monmouthshire, and therefore Whatever Mr GRIFFITH'S intention might have been, his general charge will, we fear, have too 'Qluch the appearance of a special application. It "Probable, and we believe we may say certain, at MR GRIFFITH did not intend this, and there- fore the selection of this special industry as Applying instances of adulteration was indiscreet, Ilot to say unjust. It is unfair, unless the indict- ment proceeds farther than generalities, to single Out for rebuke and opprobrium in a particular district the tricks and deceptions of any particular trade of which there are only one or two Members in the district, because the general condemnation, just and righteous though be, is certain to be given a special application ky the hearers. With this exception, which is by no means a slight one, we heartily approve of Mr GRIFFITH'S sermon, as far as it is yet published, and we entirely approve of its object. It is an ^°nest, manly, and much needed pulpit utterance, honourable alike to the integrity and fearlessness Mr GRIFFITH'S character, and which other "Ministers of the Gospel would not discredit their office or diminish their usefulness by imitating.