South Wales Daily News

NOTICE TO THOA»R W-AN KNITTUNO, I.AHS"O of IN WANT 0R A voLt.,HoQP*r-'», Stitionroad L^aueJi! uNa Call »■eCtior from the makers v.tu Wl!1 11 t '•ttDcUed or hire sv»tel ^strnstmns gratis.

COUGHS, ASTHMA, BRONCHITIS, AND HOARSENESS may be cured by TAKING one teaspOunrul of DUDOKON'S FKCTOBAL BALSAM thi ee times daily. Sold in H(\tLl(s J:Hd each, "Hed- minster, December, 14.—Sir,—After g, e ;> over £ 20 in doctor's fees, for a cough that troubled n e <vnths, I tried vour Pectoral >;al,'am, and half-a- H „ cure> and I'have n< t had a return since.—Vu.vii. '-vent Williams. Chemist, But\) street, Cardiii. 10794 i

BRECOiN. TOWN COUNCIL.—An adjourned meeting was held OR luesday. Present—the Maver (Mr William Games), Aldermen John Davies and John Prothero Councillor* irv. ^orris. Watkins, Canetield, Wood, Probeit, lhoiuas, Williams, and Davies. The further consider- ation ot tbe drai&age question occupied the sitting. The r.' Mi,d be not received any repiy from Lord J redegar s agent relative to the question of land. Mr Overton wrote apologising for his forced absence, and protesting against the board adopting any tank system. A system of tank, known as Hille's," was then explained to the board by the Mayor; it wag a. chemical system of purifying the sewage, and had been approved of at Taunton by Mr Arnold Taylor, the Local Government Board's inspector (the same gentleman who visited Brecon in 1874), and borrowing powers had been sanctioned for it. The Mayor said the system would suit Brecon, and he proposed, after considerable discussiou, that the board apply to the Local Government Board for their sanction to Hille's system, and that in the meantime the surveyor should correspond with Mr Hille, and also prepare plans and specifications to be sent up to the Local Government Hoard for their approval.—The Surveyor said the plans for the sewering of the town were already prepared. The tracings for the utilisation process was the only thing that would have to be appended. The board then rose.

PONTARDULAIS. EXTRAOKDIXARY AND FATAL ACCIDKNT.—An inquest was held on Tuesday, at the fountain Inn, Pontardulais, before Mr J. Gaskoin, deputy-coroner, u. the body of John 11-larries, of (jwmdulais. It transpired from the evidence that'the deceased was working on the farm at Tirbach, Llanedy, on the 14th inst. He was going into the cowhouse when a cow rushed out and knocked him down, and his head coming into contact with a stone he sustained a severe shock. He was able to continue work- ing, although slightly ailing. On Sunday last, however, he complained of a pain in his head, and eventually died on Monday. The evidence of Dr Griffiths went to show that death resulted from inflammation of the brain, brought on by the fall. A verdict in accordance with the medical evidence was returned.

| FEARFUL COLLIERY EXPLO- SION ATAiiERTILLERY. ANOTHEf DEATH. (FROM OUR OWN. REPORTER.) ABERTILLERY, TCESDAT NIGHT. The lamentable fatality which occurred through an explosion taking place at the South Wales colliery, on Monday morning,has caused a thrill of sorrow through- out the neighbourhood, and the scene of the accident has been visited by a large number cf people. The scenes at the pit's mouth on the bringing up of the bodies on Monday were. say the eye-witnesses, most distressing, the lamentations of the bereaved widows and children,who, on hearing of the explosion, flocked to the pit, being heartrending. Mr Jones, the manager of the colliery, has been most assiduous in his efforts to render assistance to those who so very suddenly have been visited with the deepest sorrow. Mr J ones, through his kind manner and unofficious bearing, ia a great favourite with those under him. Mr Cadman, the Government inspector of mines, arrived here this morn- ing. He made a careful inspection of the portion of the pit in which the explosion happened, and after giving certain directions he returned home about the middle of the day. The inquest, it is expected, will be opened by Mr Brewer on Weinesday morning, but after the jury have viewed the bodies the inquiry will be adjourned. Working in the pit will probably not be resumed till ) after the funeral of the deceased. Another death occurred to-day, one of the injured men, named Robert Wellington, having succumbed to his injuries this fffcernoon, and in tke case of several other men recovery is considered doubtful. There are one or two instances where some of those employed in the South Wales colliery escaped from the explosion in a most miraculous and providential manner. It is rather difficult to obtain reliable information in reference to such cases, for in the excitement arising out of such a terrible calamity an that which happened on Menday the persons who have been lucky enough to escape are apt to exaggerate their own experiences. It is a fact, however, that one or two escaped most wonderfully. For instance, one man was killed, while a door-boy who was working close by him came from the pit without a scratch upon him. It is well-known that there are a number of superstitious ideas believed in by these em- ployed underground. To-day it has been said positively that one or two colliers were advised not to go to work on Monday. Some of them, in consequence, did not go, but William Goodwin, in company with his son, went to work in spite of his being asked not to go that day, and were killed. Relatives of the deceased have been arriving at Abertillery to-day, and one thing that somewhat relieved the sadness of the scene was the congratulations ef those people who found that their relatives and friends had escaped scot free. The representative of the colliers in the Abertillery district is Mr Phillip Jones, a very energetic agent, who Ull nearing 01 the calamity was quicKiy on tne pit Dank, and rendered assistance in removing the bodies. The one difficulty which has now to be solved is the finding out the cause of the explosion. Five years ago next April an explosion occurred in the South Wales colliery which caused eight or ten deaths. The present explosion, as was stated yesterday, occurred in a tunnel, or what the colliers would term a "heading," on each side of which there were stalls, in which the deceased men pursued their avocation of coal- cutting. Mr Philip Jones, the colliers' representative, as soon as the bodies had been taken to the various homes, instituted inquiries, and he called a meeting of colliers, which was held this morning, and attended by abeut 50 persons, when steps were taken to ob- tain information as to the real cause of the explosion. Along this tunnel or "heading" the air from, the" incast" swept alentr, and found an outlet at the upeast." It would be unwise before the inquest has been held, to give anything like an opinion as to the circumstances which gave rise to the explosion, but there are one or two matters which ought to be mentioned. It is stated that a s-hert time since the roof of two stalls in the tunnel or •' heading" fell in, that one of the men Was seen to leave the pit, with his, tools in con- sequence, and that this circumstance prevented a free current of ventilation through tho "heading," the two stalls in question being situated in about the middle. It is also alleged that on Monday morning three men went to work near these stalls, the roofs of which were fallen in, and that their lights 'gnited the gas, and henoe the explosion. Of course these must be only taken as statements, but having been obtained from a reliable source, some credence is to be placed in them. There is no doubt but that Mr Cadman will cause a most: searching inquiry to be made into this matter, before the coroner's inquest. Richard Jones, who was suffering from lockjaw on Tuesday night, is now better, and able to walk. He is a middle-aged man, and not 17 yearfof age, as stated this morning. Several of th. directors of the company, and officials from the neighbour- Ing works, visited the colliery to-day.

FIRING UPON A~LUGGER- Yesterday, at Goiport, a jury returned a verdict of excusable homicide in the case of Grinazer, one of the cew of the Dewdrop fishing lugger, of Plymouth, who died from the effects of injury received in Jniylast. The revenue cutter saw the Dewdrop sailing in the Onar.nel off Needles,and thinking she was a smuggler,the fvy tired four blank rifle shots. The lugger did not (leave to, and three shots wefe tired, one striking the "d. The crew of the Dewdvop denied hearing the I summons of the cutter to heave to.

PLUSISTEAL) COMMON- A deputation from the commoners of Plumstead had an interview with the Lord Mayor, at the Mansion nouse, yesterday, and asked for help from the Corpora- tion of London. The commoners beiieve that if they bad the assistance of the corporation they would be able to Settie all disputes, ild obtain a public Act for the preservation of Plumstead Common. The Lord Mayor took charge of the petition to the corporation, and said H P^ent it himself. He assured the deputation tn&t if the city could help them they would do so.

EXECUTION .J1- A MURDERER. At Horsenionger-lane Caul >ekterday, fcfilas Barlow, aged 8, was hanged for the murder of Ellen Sloper. The prisoner was a platelayer employed on the Brighton and )nth Coast Railway. He bad been on intimate terms with the decease T-oman. and she had a child by him. i he deceased lived in Leopold-street, Vauxhili. and the prisoner was in the habit of visiting her there. He jid 10 on September the sth and on that day the deceased was very ill but recovered. On the 18th of that month the prisoner again visited her, and after he left her sne was again visited in a most extraordinary manner and complained of excruciating pain. She died, and before her death stated that. her illness was owing to some- thing the prisoner had given her in what he des- cribed as sarsaparilia. A number of bottles were found at the prisoner's lodgings, aiiti traces of strychnine were found in some-of them. There was a second charge against him of wilfully murdering their temale child, which was found drowned after the prisonet had taken it away on the day of the mother's death. The defence which the prisoner set up was a denial of having L-ommitted either of the murders, and up to nearly the last moment he presisted in that denial. He then made a statement to the chaplain of the ?aol in which he gave a somewhat lengthy detail of his history. He szid he was the son of a Baptist minister 01 Uulingbourne, rear Marlborough, and had been brought up by his father and mother in a strictly religious way A-houttwo or three years ago he came to Loudon, without hm wife, and obtained a situation on the Seuth Western Railway. He became acquainted with Sloper,but she turned cut very 11 ill." Expecting his wife, he took a room foi the deceased, and from time to time visited her, but lie denied having poisoned her. With regard to the child, he at first denied that he had been the cause of its death but on the earnest exhortation of the chaplain, who im- pressed on him the conclusive weight, of evidence against nim, he said, "I do not deny" this, but there are other persons implicated besides me." Before leaving hit cell he admitted the justice of his sentence, but persevered to the last in his statement that he was not instrumental in the death of Sloper. At nine o'clock the condemned man was brought from his cell to the pinioning passage, and exhibited that firmness which has characterised (lis behaviour since his conviction. He seemed almost to assist the executioner (Marwood) to render the process easy. This having been performed, he walked to the drop with a firm step, and up to the pasmirg of the white cap over his face there was no ap- parent change in his face or- demeanour. In a few seconds the bolt, was withdrawn and the unhappy man appeared to die without a struggle. In place of the black and hideous scaffold previously used at Horsemonger-lane Gaol, the painted white and fixed drop was used, as at the Oid Bailey. Three reporters and the officialia were alone I oraspn*

LORD CARNARVON ON THE EASTERN CRISIS. The Secretary of State for the Colonies, Lord Car. narvom, speaking last night at Dul verton. expressed the utmost confidence ia Lord Salisbury, and in the integrity of the intention of his colleagues at the Constantinople konference. He believed that all that an Englishman eould do would be done by Lord Salisbury, and that he would see that Turkey gave effectual guarantees for the performance of her needed reforms. The present juncture was one of the most critical character, but the aim of the Governm-gnt was to preserve peace. Dark as the horizen was, peace had been preserved hitherto, and he did not despair that it might be nreserved yet. The begin- iniz of war was like the letting out of water, no one could tell how far the disaster might spread, and though there were calamities that were worse than war, deep would be the responsibility of that member by whom war was brought about, ere every expedient of peace had been tried. However, the knot was not like the Gordian knot, to be cut by the sword of Alexander, but a Penelope's web, which patience, skill, and temper could remake.

REACTION IN RUSSIA. A eorrespondent of the Times, writing from St. Peters bui-g on the 11th instant, expresses the opinion that a reaction is apparent in Russia towards peace. This reac- tion (he continues) has shewn itself to a very great extent during the last few days. The bone of contention-the rook on which England and Russia seemed about to xl)lit-was a question of the occupation of Turkish territory Ity Russian troops. A fortnight ago all the lekd. tug journals of the capital looked tion this occupation as a matter admitting of no possible doubt. It was said that Russia, having gone so far, could not with honour retreat from the position which she had taken up. The oceupation, it was thought, might be temporary, and the precedent of Syria was quoted. Within the last few days, however, the same press which was so strong on the point of occupation has begun to draw in its horns, and the articles we now read in the Golos indicate a more favourable solution of the Eastern Question. The occupation of the Turkish provinces by Russian lorces is now treated by that journal as problematical, and it even goes so far as to state its wish that gome utber guarantees should be found. That the Golos should thus change its tone is a more significant fact than one might at first sight be inclined to suppose. This news- paper, as is well known here, is the orsran of the Ministry I of War, and as such carries great weight in all military matters. When, therefore, the articles which appeared daily in its columns pointed I t.) the inevitable occupation of Turkish soil it spoke, as it. were, with the authority of the Minister of War, and its piesent attitude must on that account be hailed with much satisfaction. I do not mean by this to say that General Miliutin, the War Minister, at any moment desired war. Personallv, he is a man of peace, whose one object is the welfare of the army confided to his charge. He has many enemies in this country, and the results which he has achieved during I his tenure of office are said by man) to fall far short of his intentions. His worst eueuiy would acknowledge his up- rightness, and no ooe will doubt that his whole endeavour during the critical past his been to support the peaceful policy of his Maiestv tha Emperor. The public, therefore. could not suppose, when the G»Ios insisted upon oecupa- pation, that the Minister of. war had hen in the minority at the Imperial councils, and the altered tone now observable in the military organ cannot fail to have a. most quieting effect. Ahother seemingly good sign of more peaceful views is the change which has lately come over the relations ef the Government with the public press. In the earlier stages of the crisis it was re- m.irkable that the most violent articles were daily published in the Russian journals with impunity, and the attacks on England and English states- men, both dead and living, were often exceedingly bitter, and in some cases even mean. These who know how in such tirnes as these official suggestions and orders are constantly issued to the Russian press eould not help thinkng that the Government were favour- able to sweh unusual liberties, and not un- willing to see the excitement and bad feeling which they were calculated to produce. Latterly, hjw- ever, the censor has acted with much severity, as the many punishments which have been administered to the journals of the capital cm testify. To-dav the lYeu) Times has been suspended,and the sale of the Exchange Gozttteon the streets also has been stopped. After th"se two newspapers thtre is~ not, I think, another journal of any political importance which has not beeu recently either warned or suspended by the censor. If yet another symptom of a quieter feeling be wanted, I may mention the disappointment which is felt with regard to the feast of Friday list of the Knights of St. Geerge. This great festival was held, as usual, in the Winter Palace, and the whole of the Imperial family attended. It was fully expectrd by every one that the Empeior would make another important speech on the occasion, but his Majesty said nothing beyond the usual complimorts, and the affair appear- to have passed off without any political allusions whatever.

At Bed worth, a coitK-ry m Warwickshire, where extensive mining operation* iue carried on, a large space of ground, partly covered with dwelling-houses, has given way, and many of the habitations have fallen ill, Tbe recent heavy rains have caused these houses to be sur- rounded by a deep pool. The lower rooms of most of the tenements are now almost filled with water, in consequenoe of which such of the occupants as remained have been I e.oll1\">ll,,d tit Hen' n ha-tv KERNICK'S DANDELION CONDIMENT. — refreshing healthy and Hltlch approved, as amost valuable beverage for pre- serving a lualtny condition o £ the liveraiid ttomeeb, and assaidto more potent medicines. In canisters »t6d, lOd, Pnd 18 6d each. Shopkeepers may be supplied oy the proprietor, or tre following wholesale ag -ntsLeonard and Kobinson, Bristol C;utterb«tck Unieffie. Bristol; fluiril bevan, Wholesaie grocer, Bridgetia

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS, REUTER'S AGBNCT PRESS ASSOCIATION, AND CENTRAL NEWS.) AMERICA. WASHINGTON, Tuesday.—A Joint Committee ot Congress has been formed, to prepare a measure pro. viding a mode of carefully counting the votes of the presidential electors.

FRANCE. PARIS, Tuesday.—The Siecle, the organ of M. Jalea Simon, states that the Government contemplates making several changes among the prefects. The Republiqut Francais continues to attack M. Julep Simon.

THE LATE PROCEEDINGS AT ETON. [SPECIAL TELEGEAM.1 A fund has been raised by former pupils of Mr Oscar Browning, late assistant master at Eton, and by other persons connected with Eton or interested in education generally, for the purpose of testifying their sympathy with him, and their appreciation of his services as a teacher. The money will be spent in maintaining a lectureship, which Mr Browning will hold for four years and which will form part of the scheme of instruction, supervised by a board, in historical studies. "Mr Brown- ing has been lecturing during the present term on th. history of Europe.

MELANCHOLY SUICIDE AT ¡ CWMAMMAX o inst.. of Cwmamraan, inst., Charles Morgan, of Cwmamman, himsH -ry ProPrietor. committed suicide by shooting founH fi1 ^ead. "^e unfortunate gentleman was •Juit A o'clock in the morning in the water closet whiol ?nc* co}d, one hand grasping a pistol (with h^J1 e hadsh°t himself in the mouth), and the other ;arlv^n u,mbrella- The deceased had left the house "isit ln afternoon with the expressed intention of lu^ a ceighbouritig gentleman, but his prolonged d DCe -?Qsed a search to be when ha was found i0 The deceased has for the past week been Id tk °i* sta'e> owing, it is supposed, to adverse decisions e law courts against him.

file PONTYPOOL--LOCA--L POARD AND STREET IMPROVEMENTS- 0n%S*>e'?al meeting of the above local board was held T in6!' ,■Present: jMessrs E. H. Davis (chairman), Kiiin T N' R^erick, K. Jones, G Wilton, E. Th p Tan> an^ Eckersley. the u6 ^AIBMAN, in opening the proceedings, stated that f0r fi.oa ^ad passed a resolution thanking Mrs Wheeley •ttet th an'i generous manner in which she had fr t w^s^es °f the board in reference to the projection Byth* °i the George Inn, next to the Greyhound. Mr one of the solicitors to the board, was in c°nrs v>CC' an<^ &ave ^e °Pin'on counsel as to the 3( v. e-e local board should pursue respecting the case in r Masters, who had offered to treat with the board mjg y ^_ay for th« removal of a projection on his pre- It appeared that Mr Bythewav, with a view to *0r Mr Masters ii he would take £ 500 PLT fe ^aud required—viz., 23 square yards—and Mr •»ters refused it. aXc;^ adds Yesterday, at two o'clock, great board'111811' wa,! c*used here by a procession of the local t ?^(ror^men> armed with picks and shovels, proceed- e*ect°H • ^rey^°und and pulling down the projection •ve iu defiance of the board s authority. Various ;rowj 6 sxpressions of satisfaction amongst the large •atin at seeing the local- board at last vindi- «g their authority and maintaining their dignity.

Ir THE COMING SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION ATCARMARTHBX A meeting of Liberals, convened by a number of mem- bers of the Liberal Association, and announced by public placards, was held on Monoay event?,tr, at the Assembly room?, to consider the selection of r "iida tes for the comity school board electioll. Mr 4 ierman Norton. one of the vice-presidents of the association, was voted to the chair, and amongst those present were Mr D. Edwards (ex-mayor), the revs J. Lewis, Evan Thomas, Joseph Evans, J. <J. Evans, K. iSimpsoni _»« £ essr« »V. K. Edwards, J. H. F)avies ( Vv Cjltieid IfoUEe), K. W. Kichards, (>. Aiorsran (King street), B. Davies, J. Isaac'Daniel Lewis, Charles Jones (Waterloo House), T. Thomas (Weliheid road), T. Jeremy, T. L'.oyd, &C..&C. The CKMB,: in unemng the proceedings, said that this was an open meeting of Liberals, it was not a bole find corner meeting, nor a meeting- of members of the Liberal Association merely. rbe functions of the Liberal Association had, he thought of hte, been abused. He certainly, as one of the vice-presidents, received a few davs a?o a cost-card informing him that a meeting of tb",t association was to be hehi, but he thought another halfpf-ntiy might have been spent and the objects for which the meeting w'a's! called stated in a letter. (Hear, hear.) He should like to have seen the secretary of the Liberal Association there, for to him they owed the kettle of fish which had brought them there that night (hear and laughter), for he had proposed the magic seven, to which they objected as a Dody. He did not object to any particular name, they were good men and true, but what he wanted to ask was. who had the aurlacitv-tbe Engliih language was fertile in adjectives, but he could not fiad one strong enough to condemn the impertinence of one or two gentlemen in bringing forward a string of seven namei, and endeavouring to force them on the burgesses of the free and ancient borough of Carmarthen. (Loud cheers.) The gentleman who did so might be right in his motives, but the presumption of thus trying to cram down their throats a lift of any number of gentleman was to be con- demned. He (the speaker) would hardly swallow a list under those circumstances if it came down from heaven. (Loud cheers and laughter.) He thought they had spirit enough to resent any attemptof that kind, by whomsoever it might be made. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) One word wirvrft. He held that the object of the Carmarthen I Liberal Association was political more than anything else and though the members might, as individuals, exert themselves in favour of particular candidates at municipal or school board elections, be did not think the association, as a society, should interfere in local, muni- cipal, or other elections. (Loud cheers.) Mr W. K. EDWARDS said he wisheu to put himself and his friends right before the Liberal electors. They ( were not the aggressors in this matter, and they had as yet done nothing at which any gentleman or body of gentlemen could take offence. He believed that, as Liberal Nonconformists, they were entitled to have a maioritv on the school board, and a right to select the persons'who should form that majority for themselves. (Hear, hear.) Mr Edwards then proceeded to explain tliftf at a meetinz of the sub-committee of the associa- tion three gentlemen were fixed on to contest the seats on the school board on behalf of the Liberal Nonconformists. There was a little hesitation about the fourth name, and it was thought desirable to refer the matter to the general com- mittee. A meeting of that committee was accordingly held, and to that meeting he and others went pr.pared to discuss the whole matter. To his surprise, however, the ibecretary got up and proposed a list of seven names, in which not even one of the three gentlemen previously selected was included, and those men were to stand or fall together, No dis- cussion of individual names was permitted, and eventually the list was passed, and they were not even told which four out of the seven were prepared to stand a contest if the Church party brouclit out members to oppose them, for it was obvious they (the Liberals) could not in the event of a contest carry them all. (licar, hear.) Under those circumstances they had called that meeting. After some further remarks, Mr Edwards proposed the Rev J. Lewis, Water street, as a proper person to represent, the Nonconformist Liberal party on the school board. (Cheers.) Mr JAS. ISAAC briefly secouded the motion, which was carried amid cheers. llev H. SiMrsoy, after a brief speech, proposed the Rev John Thomas, Tabernacle, as the second candidate. Mr TAMPLIN said he, in the abstract, objected to ministers being on the school board, hut under tke present circumstances he was quite prepared to waive the objection. He thought Mr Thouaas a very suitable candidate, a gentleman o would worthily represent Liberal Nonconformity, :;i d he heartily seconded the nomination. The motion was put, w"(i carried with much cheering. Mr J. H. EVANS proposed that Professor Jones be the third candidate. Mr THOMAS THOMAS (WellSeld road) seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously amid applause. Mr HENKT THOMAS proposed that Mr David Edwards, the ex-Mayor, fre th<3 fourth candidate. (Loud cheers.) Mr T. LLOYD seconded the motion, which was carried by acclamation. Mr DAVID EDWARDS said he was prepared to contest his seat if necessary, but he had no wish to be on the board, and would gladly retire if they conld get a better man. (Cries of No," We can't," You, and nobody else.") He did not wish to be mistaken; he did not desire a seat on the board, but sooner than the list of seven should go in as a whole, he would oppose them single handed. (Cheers, and hear, hear.) He did not believe in having seven names held out to him in one hand and a political blunderbuss in the other, or to be told Swallow this list at oace, or the order will be. Right about, quick march.' That was not his idea of Liberalism. (Hear. and chesre.) A discussion followed, during which several other names were mentioned, and it was eventually understood that Mr Williams, Priory-street, should he proposed as a working man's candidate. After a resolution pledging the meeting to support the four gentlemen named had been passed, the meeting broke up after the usual vote of thanks to the chairman. The proceedings throughout were of the most har- monious character.

HEAVY IAII.I:IN: I.N TIII: 5I,-TAL TRADE. A meeting of the creditors of Mr Joseph Pevshouse Foster, trading as James P. Foster and Sons, metal dealer, Birmingham, was held at the Queen's hotel, Birmingham, yesterday. The liabilities^ amounted to over £ 55,000, and the assets were estimated at over £ 22,0'id. It was put to the meeting whether the estate should he wound up in liquidation, but that proposal was lost, and afterwards Mr Stephen Barker said he had had a consultation with the debtor's relatives, and they had agreed to offer 6a in the pound. The creditors present demurred to accepting that amount, as the estate showed that Gs Sd could be paid, and it was further stated that if it could be shown that ceitain securities belong- ing to the estate were realised, 9s in the pound could l-i paid. Ultimately the meeting was adjourned until Thursday, January 3rd, to give tho relatives of the debtor an opportunity of considering whether they would make an advanced offer.

MLt, 10HSTEn M.P. ON EDUCATION, The soiree annually held in connection with the Halifax mechanics' institution took place in the Town. hall last evening. The Right Hon. W. E. Forster, M.P., who was accompanied by the Right Hon. G. Sfcansfeld, presided, and distributed the prizes and certificates to the successful students. After the distribution was over, Mr Forster addressed those present. He said, after detailing the progress made bv mechanics'institutions from their foundation, that he was very gi&d that the educational step of last year was taken, but he could have preferred that it should have been taken by a Liberal-rather than by a Conservative Government. He quite agreed with what had been said hv the secretary that mechanics' institu- tions had in tb mnin up to recently, and still were, the means of giving elementary education, insteadof education on those subjects for which they were founded. It ought not to be tbe business of the institution to impart such primary education at all. There was one bad feature in last year's regulations, and that was that too much money could be taken for the elementary schools out of the taxes. It was » misfortune that the principle of requiring that the locality, either in the case of volun- tary or rate schools, should furnish a. list of the expense of voluntary school*, had been sriven np. He had a very strong opinion in favour of school boards providing quite as good primary schools as children could take advan- tage of. What he might call the rate system and rate management had taken hold of the mind of the country. Without doubt this had been proved by recent school board elections. He might be thought somewhat erratic when he held that although the schools wt:re helped out of the taxes, and partly out of the rates, they oueht to be as good schools as any child could properly, fitly, and thoroughly learn at. He was afraid that they could not yet adopt the American system, but be was an advocate for the mingling of the classes, tke rich and the poor in the schools. As the amount of educa- tion advanced they would probably have to fix the age beyond which assistance should not be rendered in the elementary schools, though up to that age the teaching should be as good as could be given. (Cheers.) In conclusion, he urged all the students to learn thoroughly geography, history and grammar, and also, when pos- sible, French and German.

LLANBOIDY STOCK, POULTRY, AND ROOT SHOW. The fourth annual winter show of the Llanboidy Agricultural rtocioty came eff at Llanboidy on Tuesday. There was a very large attendance. The entries were numerous, itud very superior quitities were exhibited in the diflerenifc clas:ses. As usual the arrangements were everything that could be desired, thanks to the energ,etic squire of iq!aesawynne,the honorary secretary, assisted by Mr Benjamin Griffiths. We append a list of prizes:— LIVE POCLTilY. Dorkillg-lst prize as, Mrs Brown, Castleeorfod Mill 2nd 2s 6d, Mr Simon Davies, Nautyie^lwys^Mill. Span- iah-lat prize os, Mr Simon Daview, Nantyreglwys Mill; 2nd 28 6d, Mr Rees Reynolds. Cwmfelyn. Bramah Pootra -let prize 5s, Mr Emsall, Llanboidy 2nd 2s 6d, Mr D. Davies, Post Wern. Hamburgh let prize -as Mr Joseph Gibbon, L'wer 'uliii 2nd 2s 6d, Mr W. E. Thomas, Get Farm. Any breed 1st prize Ôs, Mr John Griffiths, Middle Mill; 2nd 2a 6d, Mr B. Phillips, Cross Roads. Turkey cock and hen-list prize VB. Mr Stephen Owen, Hafod; 2nd 2s Cd, Mr Rees, Cethin. White gander and goose—1st prizo 5s, Mr Brown, Castlegorfod Mil], Gander and gooise (mottled breed)—1st prize 5s, Mra Davies. Bronsca weu; 2nd 28 tid, Mr Stephen Owen, Hafod. Drake and two ducks (Ayiesbury breed)—Mrs Brown, Castlegcrfod Mill I 2ad 2s 6d, MrT. Jones, Stag, Llanboidy. Any other breed-Ist prize os, Mr L. Phillips, t ilyngvrynm; 2nd 2s 6d, Mr Stephen Owen, Hafed, Best. variety of pigeons— lat prize 5s, Mr Jas. Buckley, Castlegorfod. POLJR/TRT, DEAD AND TRUSSED. -tat turkey 1st prize »», Mr liees, Cethiu 2nd 2s 6d, Mrs Owen, Ifafod. Fat goose—1st prize 5s, Mr Davies, Goitrefawr; 2nd 2s 6d, MrJehø Howell, Wauurhyddod. Pair of fat ducks—1st prize 5s, Mr Thomas Gibby, Lan, Llanboidy; 2nd 2s 6d, Mr Owen, Hafod. Pair ef fat fowls—1st prize 5s, Mrs Harries, Pluwch 2nd 2s 6d, ditto. DAIBT PRODUCT. Cask or tub' of butter, 80 lbs (given by Mr S. E. Richards)—1st prize £ 1, Mr John Davies, Henllan; 0_ 2nd 10s, Mr John Howells, Waunrhvddod. Six Ibsoi butter in lbs of 16 ozs-llt prize 5a, and 2nd 29 6d, Mrs J. Davies. Henllan. Cwt of Welsh cheese—1st prize 41, Mrs Harriet, 3?enwch; 2nd 10s, Mr Stephen Owens, Henllan. TJORN. lour bushels-of barley—1st prize 10s, Mr Phillips, Caerlron: 2nd 6s, Mr R. Davies, Parsonage. Four bushels of whit e oats—1st prize 10s, Mr John Howells, Waunrhyddod r 2nd 5s, Mr Stephen Owens, Hafod. Four bushels of black eats-prize 10s. Mr John He wells, Waunrhyddod. CATTLE. Fo,t cow or h eifer—1st prize £ 1, Mi Lewis, Gilfach 2nd 10s, Mr D* Howells, Pant. XI i • PIGS- t1 at pig—1st prize 15s, Mr J. Rees, Lamb Inn, Llan- boidy 2nd 10s, and 3rd 5s, Mr J. Davies, Henllan. lat pig (open, to cottagers)—1st prize 10s, Mr John Morris, blackninith 2nd 5s, Mr D. Phillips, Butt. „ 8HBBP DOGS. -L.est working sheep deg or bitch of any breed (given ny Mr W. It M. Powell)-1st prize £ 1, Mr Caleb Davies, Aberd-doint%nt 2nd 10s, not awarded; 3rd 5s, not awarded. Lest working sheep dog or bitch of aay breed (open)—1st prize £1, Mr Caleb Davies, Aberddoi- nant; 2nd 10»,, Mr J. Hughes, Coinant. KOOTB. Prizes given, by Mr S. E. Richards. — Heaviest 20 Ls mangolds-I t prize £ 1 and 2nd 10s, Mr John Griffiths, Penrhiwgoch. Heaviest 20 swedes- let prize £1 and 2nd 10s, Mr John. Griffiths, Penrhiwgoch. Heaviest 20 potatoes—1st 10s and 2nd 5s, Mrs Davies, Vron- scawen. Four bushels of barley for malting purposes— 1st prize 10s, Mr Davies, Parsonage; 2nd 5s, Mr S. Owens, Hafod. Four bushels of oats (black or white)-Imt prize 10s, Mr John Howell, Waun. rhyddod 2nd 5s, Mr Stephen Owen, Hafod. Given by Mr Jt. Howell, Trevaughan. The heaviest twenty mangoBds—1st prize £ 1, Mr T. Thomas, Pantyrhas 2n«a 10s, Mr J. Evans, Llanfallteg. The heaviest twenty swedes-lat prize Cl, and 2nd leg. Mr Josiah Bowen, IL)ringamawr, Whitland, Given by Mr ihonsas Howell, St Clear's. The heaviest twenty mangolds—1st prize £ 1, Mr John Phillips, Cowin Grove; 2nd 10s, Mr J..Howells, Waunrhvddod. The heaviest twenty swedes—let pme SI, Mr J, Howells, Waunrhyd- dod; 2nd 10s Itfr J. Evans, Danyrhendy. Given by tho soewW. The heaviest twenty mangolds—l«t prize £ 1, Mr W. Phillipti, Penchuck 2nd 10s, none. The heaviest twenty swedes^- let prize, Mr W Phillips, Penchuck 2dd 10s, Mr W. Skyrm, Pautdwfyn. TIE DINNER. ihe dinner was served at the Maesgwyniie Arms Hotel, by Mr Griffiths. About 60 gentlemen were pre- sent. Amonglrt; them wer. Messrs W. It. lil. POwell, F. Green, Carmarthen; F. L. Green, junr., J.Williams, Penlan T. Lewis, Cilsant Evans, Llanfallteg; Thomas. Carmarthen ShingUten Whitlaud Llew- ellyn, Trewern; Davies, Nantyreclwys MIll: J. Howells, Trevaughan Morris, St Clears James, junr., Llwynrwydd John, Esgarddoseoed Walters, Cuer- emlyn Phillips, Gaerlleon William*, Castle Morgans, Whitland Abbey Griffiths. Penally Davies, auctioneer, Goitrefawr Palmer, auctioneer, Byrnbank Skyrm, 1 antd-wfya Howell. Waunrhyddod; Griffiths, Penrhewgoch Evans, iunr. Tegfvoydd; C. Davies, Aderddirnant, and other gentlemer. During- the after dinner proceedings, Mr EVANS. of Llanfallteg, read a paper on hiring ser- vants. A long discussion followed, the present system being strongly condemned, and it was suggested that farmers should put a stop to the system of servants selling themselves or being sold to the highest bidder, instead of to the belt ma.ter, Mr W. R. H. Powell's health was drunk with enthu- siasm, and the meeting separated.

COWBPJDGE. CONCERT.—The grand full dress concert in aid of the fiindm of the 18th Glamorgan Rifle Volunteers took place on Monday evening, in the Town-hall. The decorations included some appropriate designs, constructed of spears and battle axes. The place was fitted up ky Mr H. S. .JamPI. lue centre of the room. which was set apart for the reserved full dress circle, was well filled. About 500 persons were present. The concert commenced with an overture by the band of the company,performed in a very satwtactory manner. Next tb. glee party sang the chorus, Soldiers brave and gallant be." The glee party also gave in the course of the concert. "Hark, the curfew," and Awake, ^Eolian lyre," all of which were executed witn the confidence and precision, which always^ characterises well-rshearsed pieces. The concerted music comprised a quartette—"Come live with me"— by Misses Saunders ii at;ts, and Privates Giles and vvilhams, and a C little farm"—by Messrs Evans, Thomas, and v\- llliarns. Both pieces were applauded. Perhaps the uf the evening was Miss Culverwell's song of 1 uei rait," which was admirably executed, and there wsdo a solo, "The gallants of Kngiands," by Mr H. De Spear, who was warmly encoml, both in this and hi other ^song, "The stirrup cup." Private F. A. Miles gav e, Let nie like a soldier fall'' in a careful and artistic manner. Private W. Thomas was encored in The red cross banner," and Sergeant W. A. James elicited roars of laughter ia his comic songs of "Mr Brown's luggage," ''The icwalid," and Percy St. Batbe." 1 instrumental part of the programme was ;},u,e Hc fc'»ccessful as the vocal. The piano duett, Silver trumpets," by the Misses Davies, was brilliantly executed. A concertina solo, by Private D. Harman, was encored. A duett for vielin and piano (Freyschutz), !)/riv oSsri* H'rman *n<i liees, and cornet and piano, La Somnambula a selection from "La Souveraine." for violin, cornet, and piano (Messrs Hermau, Baldwin. ?,n<? ^^ly), and a cornet (duet I know a bank (Messrs Baldwin aud Kirtoc) were enthusiastically encored.

KAY'S COMPOUND ESSENCEOF LISTSEID, for Colds and OoiLrhd. cures nine cages out of eil. bold by all Chemists.

(CENTRAL NEWS TELEGRAMS.) PARIS, TUESDAY EVENING. A telegram from Ronstchouk announces the arrival of eight fresh battalions of Turks at Widdin. There is an important movement of Turks along the Danube. Navigation is momentarily suspended. 50,000 Cir- cassians are organised in Bnlgaria, ready to march. The troops have returned to the Servian frontier. The Bulgarians oppose the idea of an occupation. The clergy are preaching a crusade in defence of the national independence. It is believed that the first meeting of the prelimi- nary Conference will not take place until after Christmas, although Friday and Saturday were severally fired for its opening. The proposal of a Belgian oceapation of Bulgaria is put forward by General Ignatieff as an alternative to the Russian occupation, and is strongly supported by the French Government; but it is looked upon coldly at Berlin, where the French proclivities of the Belgian army are not liked. In any case the Porte will decidedly de- cline to accept it. [RBUTER'S TELEGRAMS. 1 CONSTANTINOPLE, MONDAY. Midhat Pacha has been appointed Grand Vizier, in the place of Mehamet Rnchdi Pacha, who has been dismissed. CONSTANTINOPLE, MONDAY EVENING. The plenipotentiaries have telegraphed to their Governments concerning proposals agreed to ad refer- endum, and which will form the basis of their discus- sions at the plenary Conference. CONSTANTINOPLE, TUESDAY. The following telegram has been sent by the Minis- ter for Foreign Affairs to the Turkish representatives abroad,—" Constautinople, Dec. 19.—In consequence of the resignation of his Highnes Mahme.1 Ruchdi Pasha, on account of ill health, his Highness Midbat Pasha has been called to the Post of Grand Vizier. The Imperial Government's policy of progress, firm. ness, and conciliation will continue to be pursued." BERLIN, TUESDAY. The Bulgarian delegates were received by Prince Bismarck yesterday evening, previous to their depar- ture for St Petersburg. In a letter addressed to the Berlin newspapers, they express the extreme pleasure that had been afforded them by their conversation with the Imperial Chancellor, and their conviction that Germany is favourable to their cause. CETTINGE, TUESDAY. Osman Pasha, who was made prisoner by the Montenegrins early in the campaign, congratulated the Prince of Montenegro on his fete day, and the Prince took advantage of the occasion to restore to him his liberty. PESTH, TUESDAY. in the lower house of the Hungarian Diet, to-day, Herr Tissa, Minister President, replying to an inter- pellation, said that Dalmatia belonged virtually to Austria, and he could not interfere in Austrian inter- nal affairs. With regard to the action of the Dalma- tian authorities in connection with the Eastern ques- tion, he had full confidence in the policy and energy r1-&. & 01 UoUut. Andrassy. The hoase resolved to take cognizance of the minister's reply.

THE KHEDIVE. CurtO, Tuesday.—The Khedive has withdrawn hit London agency. His Highness has appointed Mr Rogers director of the Department of Public Instruction.

THE CAPE. MADEIRA, Tuesday.-Intelligence received here from Cape Town, dated 28th November, states that the Colonial Mail steamship, Dunrobin Castle, of Messrs Donald Currie and Co's line, left Algoa Bay at 7 p m on the 21«t November, arrived at Cape Town at 5 aim" on the 23rd ult., embarked 650 troops, left Cape Town at 5 p.m. the same day, and arrived at East London on the 25th November. The troops were aIt landed the same day, and the Dunrobin Castle was in Algoa Bay on the 26th November, having completed the round within five days. The Kaffirs are still quiet. The enquiry into the loss of the St Lawrenoe has terminated in the suspension of the captain's certifi- cate for six months, the chief mate's certificate being suspended for twelve months.

A MURDERER REPRIEVED The capital sentence on Wm. Hubron, awaiting his execution at Manchester county gaol for the murder of Police-constable Cock, has been commuted, and the pri- soner ordered to be confined during Her Majesty's pleasure.

WESTON'S GREAT WALKING MATCH Weston, the American, at ten last evening had walked 180 miles, and Ide 150. The latter looks completely done up. He had ten miles to walk within two hours to win his prize of 260.

ATTEMPTED ESCAPE OF A CONVICT. (SPECIAL TELiaBAM. i A convict made a desperate attempt to escape from a cell in Dartmoor prison. He made a large hole in the wall, and his endeavours were only frustrated by his inability to remove a large stone from the outside. The fellow will probably be allotted the usual punishment for such offences-a severe flogging.

ALLEGED DEATH FR0M~~VACCINA- T ION. At the Gainsborough Board of Guardians, yesterday, the deaths of several more children, at Haxey, were re- ported as resulting from vaccination. The guardiana unanimously resolved to demand from the Local Govern. ment Board a public inquiry into these cases, and urged upon that board to suspend further vaccination through- out the wbole union pending the inquiry.

THE MURDER OF TWO POLICE- CONSTABLES. The magisterial inquiry into the recent murder ot police officers was commenced at Hungerford vesterdav In addition to the evidence given before the* coroner a jury, Supt. Bennett stated that a lock of a gun had been found near Drewitt's body, but up to yesterday after- noon the gun to which this belonged could not be found. The stock, however, was then discovered bidden in the bank near Eddington millpond, which is near the houses of the prisoners. The stock has been identified as part of the missing fun, the lock exactly corresponding with it. A trigger plate and a tobacco box, the latter covered with blood, were also found near Drewitt's body. The inquiry was adjourned.

DEPLORABLE OFFENCES BY MINE OWNERS. Yesterday at Bilston, on the complaint of the Govern- ment inspector of mines for South Staffordshire, eight cases were proved against colliery owners who had disregarded leading requirements of the Mines Regula- tion Act. lines amounting to jE26 and costs were imposed on the preceding day at Willenball,and a fine of £5 and costs was ordered in another case brought like- wise upon initructions from the Home Secretary. In two of the cases three men in all had been killed, and two injured, whilst in two others miners' lives had been jeopardized.

SMALL-POX liN ONDON. The Registrar-General's return for the week ended on Saturday last states that the deaths from smalLpox in London, which had been 67 and 50 in the two preceding weeks, rose to 75 last week, the highest weekly number since the commencement of the present epidemic. Of the 75 fatal cases, 38 occurred in the three metropolitan small-pox hospitals at Homerton, Stockwell, and Hamp. stead; and three in the Highgate small-pox hospital. Tbe remaining 34, or 45 per cent, of the total cases* occurred in private dwellings.. The deaths from small' pox showed the largest increase in South London. The Homerton fever hospital is now principally devoted to the treatment of small pox cases, and the metropolitan asylum hospitals contained ü96 small-pox patients on Saturday last.

FROM TU ESD A^YMGHCTT' GAZETTE.'4 BANKRUPTS. William Forsyth, 25, Wellington street, Islington. Middlesex, credit draper. Edward Benjamin Minto, Canterbury Tavern, Old Kent road, Sur/ey. licensed victualler. Lethian S. Dickson, 125, King's road, Brighton. Daniel Tofield, of Ellesborougb, Bucks, shopkeeper. Stephen Bennett, of Harrow Barrow, St Mellion, Corn. wall, farmer. .Tames Sillence, of Otterbourne, Hanti", horse dealer. Henry James Roberts, of Bath, milliner and dress- maker. -r Richard Hall, High street. Wellington, Salop, licensee victualler. Tom Columbus Smith, of the Parliament Lock, parish of Merthyr, currier. Arthur E. Waites, Bute street, Oardifx. currier and leather merchant. William Richards, of Treorky, near Pontya«iQt1, <m>eer grocer. William Caunt, of Allington, Lincolnshire, coal mer- chant. LOCAL LIQUIDATIONS. J. Lewis the elder, Landore, near Swansea, and J. Lewis the younger, of the same place, trading in part. nership at Landore as tailors and drapers, under the style of John Lewis and Son. Separate estates of J. Lewis, sen., and J. Lewis, jun. B. Richards, Clydach, near Swansea, tinman and inn- keeper. D. Rees, formerly of York Hotel, then of loyaI Oak Inn, both in Bridgend, Glamorganshire, licensed victualler' now of Coity ri ad, Bridgend, labourer. J. Copp, Skewen, near Neath, Glamorganshire, boot- maker. E. Edwards, Gilfachrhyd farm, Llanwonuo, Glatnprgan- shire, farmer and butcher. W. Davies, Hay, Bieconsiiire, watchmaker. J. Daviet, 61, Marine terrace, Aberystwith, builder. J. Thomas, Providence inn, near Narberth, Pembroke- shire, licensed victualler. H, Davies, Stepney house, Llanelly, Carmarthenshire draper.

Holloway't Ointment and Pills.—Whenever tbe 'weather is variable, and the temperature constantly clian 'ntr the weak and delicate need be very careful to repel the "first symptoms of disordered action or ill-health. The screfu ou« ana consumptive will find in these sohie remediez ihe means of casting out the bad humours which originate Ind prolong their Bufferines. The Ointment should be well rubbed twice a day over th» skin as near as possible to the part affected it will pemtrate and act most wholesomely and egereeticaliy on the diseased structures. It manifests a wonderful power in remov- IVIr all taints from the blood, and consequently inourinsra multitude of chronic ailments which seemed to be almost rremediabl«>