South Wales Daily News

THE OCV-AN COLLIERS' DISPUTE. As far as one can judge from what was said at the mass meeting of the Ocean Colliers on Wednesday, there is little to discourage the hope that an amicable arrangement may yet be made. Some of the speakers stated frankly that they do not wish to strike, and no one can have any di?&culty in believing I this. A strike would be a calamity of the worst possible description, and we have no doubt that, knowing well what it means, wiu-cc \o",i,èÙ wicil a view to avoid M. iT, is; on the bare surface, a very simple matter I which has given rise to the present con- tention, but we are afraid that the apparent simplicity lies only on the surface, and that f the committee representing the colliers will have to go a little below the mere surface before they can get at the facts which will make the whole case inteljigible. We are afraid that certain facts of which the colliers, or, at all events, their delegates, ought to, be in possession before they c.in understand the exact state of anairs, are not known to them. They may be floating about a,? rumours, or they may not. We are not aware how far they are circulating, but it appears to us as clear as daylight that many persons who are discussing the sliding scales now in operation are not aware of the precise results of their operation. We do not wish to assume an air of mystery in a matter of such grave importance. It would be an act of gross cruelty to make a pretence of mystery in connection with a dispute involv- ing the happiness, comfort, and even the means of subsistence of thousands of men, women, and children. We wish it, there- fore, to be clearly understood that we speak as openly and plainly as we can, and that our sole object is to prevent a catastrophe which seems to be threatened rather because something lies hidden in the background which ought to be made known than because everything is lying upon the surface exposed fully to view. What the Ocean colliers want is a lowering of the standard from 10s to 9s, and this, it seems, is positively refused them. Their representatives have done their utmost to obtain this reduction, but have completely failed. They have, we believe, acted in this matter as men perfectly competent to state their case, and to argue it out in a temperate and gentlemanly spirit. The statements which they made at the masa meeting at Pentre lead us to this con- clusion. In their own opinion they had a strong case to put. They pointed out to the representative of the Ocean Colliery Com- pany that it was in their opinion "strange "and inequitable that while the trade and commerce of the country were moving up- wards, the wages of the colliers were sta- tionacy. We will not here inquire whether suBicient upheaval of reviving trade and commerce has taken place to move wages upwards. This is a question to be discussed by itself, but what the colliers feel is that the standard of 10s is too high, is above the reach of the wave of retuming prosperity, so that they have not had any benefit from it, and therefore they wish to have it lowered to such an extent as to bring it within range. All this, we say, is clear enough, but, on the other hand, ac- cording to the representations of the committee, Mr J RXKIN8, as representing the Ocean Colliery, contends that it cannot be done, and, further, that to make the concession sought for would tell I disastrously upon collieries outside which now follow the Ocean scale as the best. In one case, he informed them, a company received 3-!d a ton profit, and paid 3d to the men in another, 3d and paid 5d whereas in a third case they paid 3d but realised only 2d. The 2 committee hesitated to accept this as fact, but even while hesitating they were prepared to testify with one voice to the "gentlemanly fashion" in which Mr JEMHNS had treated them. Now, why this scepticism ? We can understand that if all the facts of the case are not known the committee may have reason to be sceptical, but we have no doubt that what Mr JE"XINS stated is perfectly correct. The apparent discrepancies may be—we believe they are- due to causes capable of explanation, and if the committee-men would only do their utmost to get at the facts of the case with reference to the working of the other sliding scales, especially that of the Association, they might be in a better position to under- stand the anomalies of their own case, and to reconcile statements of fact, which, coming into co"ion with one another, produce an amount of scepticism which must be hostile to any effort at an amicable settlement. Occupying as we do neutral ground, as be- tween employer and employed, we deaire only to see that no stone is left unturned to eSect a clear understanding between the two parties. We are quite prepared to enter into the discussion of the merits of this or that sliding-scale, but the nrst duty to be fulfilled is that of making sure that the whole case has been laid bare before the dis- putants. Have the colliers working under different scales been paid in exact accordance with the scales, or have they, in any instance, received more than they were entitled to ? Have the Ocean colliers ever inquired whether those whom they may regard as, in some respects, better off than they are themselves, are so because of their sliding scale ? Have they ever taken the trouble to ascertain whether in every other case the sliding scale has been stringently adhered to, or whether the employers have not paid, in any I one instance, even mere than the scale bound them to do ? If once they get at all the facts of the case, they may nnd j that hastily to throw over the Ocean scale is not altogether to their interest. What- ever they may do, we would strongly urge upon them to proceed with caution, and above all things to let nothing ruffle or mar I the good temper in which they have hitherto conducted their discussion.

LONDON LETTER. [SPECIALLY WIRED.] [BY OUR GALLERY CORRESPONDENT.] LONDON, THURSDAY NiGHT. The public interest in the debate in the House of Commons was dramatically repre- sented outside from an early hour. Crowda began to congregate in the neighbourhood of Palace Yard, drawn thither by the desire to see distinguished members enter. They might see them to greater advantage on any other night, but it seemed essential that they should be watched for to-night, and as they came up they were received either with cheers or in ominous silence, according as they were popular or otherwise. For Mr Gladstone the loudest cheer was naturally reserved, and it was with great difnculty the body of police at the gates prevented the enthusiastic crowd from rushing in and carrying in the Premier. What would have happened if the crowd had got in, and witnessed what followed immediately upon the Premier's entrance, it would not be diiacult to forecast. Mr Gladstone had something to say to Mr Speaker, and stopping at the chair to chat with him for a moment, attracted the atten- tion of Mr Biggar and Mr Hep.ly. These gentlemen immediately began calling out "Order, order," and, persisting in their cries, were joined by other members of their party, till Mr Gladstone, pausing, and look- ing with astonishment down the House, walked away. It is hardly necessary to say that there was no breach of Parliamentary etiquette, or even of usage, in this converation with the Speaker. It is one of the commonest in- cidents of a night's sitting. But any oppor- tunity is useful which makes an opening for an attack on the man who passed the Land Act, and has from time to time denounced in burning eloquence the action of the Land League. There was as usual on these occasions an astonishing congregation at prayer time. Every seat on the iloor of the House was taken, and even the seats under the gallery where Mr Bradlaugh sits had white cards stuck in the back, showing that they had been appropriated. Members coming a little late, and nnding no room on the floor of the House, made a rush in the side gallery, crowding nrat the one opposite the Treasury bench, as being convenient for hearing Mr Bright's speech. There was a great gathering of peers. Prince Christian appropriated a seat over the clock, afterwards nlled by the more genial presence of the Prince of Wales. His Royal Highness had on his right his youthful cousin. In the gallery set apart for distinguished strangers, close by the spare ngure of Lord McLaren, late Lord Advocate, and now an unwilling mem- ber of the Scotch bench, gleamed the jewels of an Eastern dignitary privileged to wear his dusky red turban in the presence of the Speaker. Mr Bright came in shortly before nve, and was delayed some time by the put- ting and answering of questions. He was evidently in a very nervous state, as was shown by his twitching fingers and restless movements. The preliminary proceedings were so greatly extended that it was close upon six o'clock before Mr Bright rose. Not less than 54 questions were upon the paper, and these, supplemented by some others put without notice by the Irish members, brought the number over three score. Then Mr Mitchell-Henry had a personal question about some malicious report in a Dublin paper, and at the last moment, t juat as the Speaker caHed on Mr Bright, Mr Biggar rose for a moment. It seemed as if further obstruction were intended with the view of postponing a speech not likely to be very palatable to the Land Leaguers. But if Mr Biggar had such in- tention his heart failed him, and he resumed his seat. One of the most interesting features of the early proceeding was the introduction of Mr Love Parry, who has been elected for Carnarvonshire just in time to record his vote. Mr Errington, looking bronzed with the happy winter climate of Rome, was in his place, and was speedily boarded by Sir Henry Wolff, who gently chaffed him about to the House was Mr Villiers, the member for Wolverhampton, a member old enough to have had a statue erected to him, and whose face some members of the present Parliament had not looked upon before. Mr Bright's speech wag commcnda.bly short, and was listened to throughout with profound interest. He had evidently made up his mind that the question was one to be argued about rather than declaimed upon. He spoke very quietly, more particularly in the early part before he had regained that confidence which now so strangely deserts him when addressing a public assembly. He was much more gentle with the Conserva- tives than usual, and they were much more placable than is their ordinary manner when the right hon. gentleman is address- ing them. When, as happened once or twice, they broke forth into murmurs or criea of dissent, he turned upon them with all the old quickness and swift- nesa of delivery and smote them with a retort. Thus when he spoke of the submis- sion lie should have made as a private mem- ber supposing on an occasion like this he had differed from his leaders and the party generally, the Conservatives laughed in- credulously, as well they might, at the notion of Mr Bright submitting his opinion to any- one else's. It was not a very loud laugh, but the orator noticed it, and turning on them sharply said if hon gentlemen op- posite arrived at their state of discipline by any other process than that of subordination of individual opinion to party good, he would be very glad to hear it described. This home-thrust at a familiar feature of the party opposite immediately silenced them, and left Mr Bright free to proceed with his speech. Much more remarkable was the good order presented by the Land Leaguers. Mr Gladstone never now obtains a chance of making a speech without interruption, and Mr Forster ia still more unfortunate. Then there were a few jeers at some of Mr Bright's remarks. Once Mr Healy loudly contradicted him in his description of the part taken by the member for Wexford at the "Chicago convention. But here again Mr Bright had the best of it, being enabled to show that he was perfectly accurate. After this even Mr Healy subsided, and the Irish members heard in silence hia stirring denunciation of the miachief of the few. who endeavoured to prevent the high and noble purpose of legislating for a great and power- ful empire. In conversation with members after the speech, I find that the part which most effectually influenced them is that wherein Mr Bright by a few figures demonstrated that the form of cloture proposed by the Government is much more Liberal to minorities, and far more careful in their freedom than the two-thirds majority or any other which is proposed in the amendments to follow. Hitherto these have been depre- cated simply on the ground that fancy majorities have been tried and been found wanting; also that they open the way for undesirable combinations. As Colonel Stanley row to continue the debate there was one of those general move. ments towards the door that are so dis- heartening to a speaker. The exodua was not less marked from the Conservative benches than from the Liberal, both sides meeting in a, stream at the doorway and temporarily blocking it up. It was some time before Colonel Stanley's voice, pitched in a high key, became audible amid the buzz of conversation and the bustle of departure. After him Mr O'Shaughnessy made what was, for an Irishman, a bold speech. Then came Mr Newdegate, and a deeper depression settled down upon the House, from which it did not recover till nearly eleven o'clock.

.IMPORTANT LICENSING DE- CISION AT PONTYPRIDD. At the Pontypridd police-court, on Wednesday, Miles Davies, landlord of the White Thorn pub- Hc-bouse, was fined 20s and costs for selling liquors after licensed hours on Sunday. The sti- pendiary (Mr Gwilym Williams) considered that the bona fide traveller plea would not apply in the case, though set up. The men whom defendant supplied, though living three miles away, had come to the public-bouse for drinking purposes simply, and this was not contemplated by the Licensing Act exemption clause. The men whom defendant supplied were cautioned and dismissed.

A CARD.—To all who are suifering from the early decay, &c" I will send a receipt I that wiU cure you, FUME OF CHARGE. This great remedy was by 9, missionary in South America. ?M??t&?a?Nc?X???t'y. ?.S.?' ?? 9?

DEATH OF MR MENELAUS. I A BIOGRAPHICAL RETRO- SPECT. (BY OUR MEBTHYR REPORTER). It Is with much regret we have to announce the death of Mr Menelaus, which took place on Thursday morning about 11 a.m. The deceased gentleman had been staying at Tenby for some time, and it was thought that the dry, healthy clllnate of the favounte watering- place would restore him to health and strength. But a week ago these hopes were found to be in vain, the deceased having experienced a serious relapse, so great as to cause much anxiety among his friends. It soon became apparent that, unless an almost miraculous change for the better took place, the end would not be far distant. The telegrams and bulletins we received during the week were as follows :— TKXBY, Monday, 8 p.m.—There is an improve- ment in the more serious symptoms of Mr Menelaus. He had three hours' good sleep during the afternoon, and has taken a Rood deal of nourishment. The paralysis is passing off. The medical report issued by Dr. Reid is to the eSect that there is more chance a.s to recovery. TKNBY, Tuesday, 11.30 a..m.—The improvement in Mr Menelans has not been maintained. He has passed a bad night, and his condition is very critical, but not entirely hopeless. 8 P.M.—Mr Menelaus* has been in a very un- satisfactory state aU day. He has been unable to take nourishment, and is in a most prostrate condition. The paralysis is on the right side, is almost complete, and there is very little consci- ousness. Dr. Reid, his medical attendant, has very slight hopes of recovery. I'FsBy, Wednesday.—The following bulletin was issued at 7 a.m.:—" The paralysis continues, but there is some return of consciousness. He can tft.ke nourishment, and altogether is somewhat' better. This morning his condition is not regarded as hopeless.—Douglas A. Reid, M.D." Eight p.m.—Mr Menelaus has passed an un- satisfactory day. There is no abatement of the more serious symptoms. His prostration is very great, and there is more dimculty in taking nourishment. TRXBY, Thursday, 9.30 a.m.—Mr Menelaus has remained in a coma.toBC condition through the night, and is gradually sinking. THNBY, Thursday aoon.—Mr Menelaus died at 11..50 a.m. TEXBY.Thursday Evening.—Mr Darling left for Dowlais to night, for the purpose of ascertaining whether Mr Menelaus had expressed in hu. wilt any wish on the subject of his place ofburia, Ou his return full particulars will be given. Mr Menelaus was 63 years of age. Mr Chas. Darling and Mr L. Darling were present at his death. MERTHYR, Thursday Evening.—A telegram was received here on Thursday morning, announcing the termination by death of Mr Menelaus's pro- longed suSerings. The bulletin-: published in the daily papers for some little time past have been anxiously looked for and discussed every morning, both in Merthyr and Dowlais, as well as in a large surrounding district, the deceased gentleman having been so generally known. It would not be correct to say timt the sad and unwelcome newa was unexpected, as, fi-on, the reports daily received, everyone w<:ts prepared to hear the intelligence of his death. It was, however, a matter of sincere regret to the greater portion of the inhabitants when the newa of the nnal event arrived. Widely as Mr Mene- laus was known and respected, from his high reputation, yet he was by no means a public man, and the generality of the inliaoitauts rarely, if ever. saw anything of him. There seemed a general desire on the part of the tradesmen and others to show their respect to the deceased by the usual tokens, but, unfortunately, this could not be done, as all the business establishments were closed on account of the weekly half-holiday. To write a biographical retrospect of the life of so eminent a man—or rather of so eminent a genius—as that of Mr William Menelaus, the general manager of the Dowlais Iron and Steel Works during nearly a third of a century, is by no means an ensy task. Of Mr Menelaus it may be said that, by his immense perseverance and great foresight, he really made these immense works what they arc, and it M to be greatly feared that the untiring manner in which he devoted himself to the de- velopment and management of the works was the main cause of the premature breakdown of his great mental and physical power, although lie had nearly reached the allotted span of threescore years a.nd ten. But his labours were not confined to Dowlais; he w:tS also closely connected with the Iron and Steel Institute of Great Britain and the So'th Wales Institute of Engineers, a.nd was also a large proprietor in the Tredegar and Tre- forest Ironworks, as well as several large collieries, to each of which, as a matter of course, a share of his attention ha,d to be given. His ability and genius in an immense degree tended to the development of the various staple trades of South Wales, and his services In thi? respect alone cannot be too higlily regarded. Scarcely any great and important work had to be carried out -1 "nil 1,Iu?.ble, advice was A native of East Lothian, Mr Moneians ]ike many other elumant Scotchmen, xenected the greatest credit upon his Hationality. He some- what early in life came into England, <nd after- wards into Wales, succeeding not only in <:ça.!lling hne, but fortune, and a very hin;h po,;t,.Oii *,q the scientinc world. Mr Menelaus, who was 64 Y..ars of age, wa.s born in East Lothian on the l(,h March, 1818. His father was a writer to the Signet n.t Edinburgh the maiden name of his mother was Darling. He received his education in the same locality a" that in which he W[.3 born, and was afterwards articled to a nnii of engineers at Haddington. After serving his articles he went to Mtddlpsborough to erect some machinery at a manufactory for making bricks, etc. Subse- quently Mr Mcnalaua went to London, and after- wards, in 1843, came down to Abernant (where he apparently remained seven years) to erect -some ponderou-i machinery for Mr Rowland FotbergiU, the managing partner of the works, and uncle to Mr Richard Fothergill, formerly M.P. for the In 18-!4 he was appointed engineer to the Aberdare Iron Company. It is stated by those whose memories carry them back to that period, thr.t one day Mr Rowland Fothcrgill was boasting, in the presenco of Sir John Guest-who was a keen man of business, and closely looked after the Dowlais Works—that he had a man ivorth jSSOO a year, upon which Sir John mnnedia.tely said, Then I will give him .8600 And he did so, Mr Menelaus going to Dowlas in 1850, taking the position formerly held by Mr John Eva.ns, at a sudden jump up to double the amount ot hi' .former salary. In 185& Mr Menelaus was appointed genera manager of the Dowlais Works by the two trus tees, Mr G. T. dark and Mr Henry Auster Bruce (now Lord Aberdare). It is g-enerall, stated that his salary waa from time to time in creased until it reached j33,500 per annum, whic' he is supposed to have received up to the time c his death, though with such a close company a that of Dowlais it is impossible to make this state- ment with absolute certainty. It is also asserted that in addition to the salary above-mentioned, a percentage was also paid him upon the amount of work produced above a certain quantity. Mr Menelaus held his high position at the Dowlais Works for the long term of 32 years, although for many months past, after the dangerous illness he experienced some year and a-half ago, he has done but little, and latterly nothing, in connection with the duties of his important omce. As general manager of so gigantic a concern as the Dowlais Works, he nearly quadrupled the product since his connection with the works. At one time the company were satisfied with producing 1,200 tons of iron a week at the present time 4,000 tons of finished iron and steel are turned out weekly, in addition to the manufacture of a large quantity of tin plates. Had Mr Menelaus maintained his health and strength, he would, doubtless, have still farther extended the already very extensive works, of which he was the very head and mainspring, by starting the making of steel wire and other useful and profitable articles, thus concentrating and adding to the trade of the district, which he had already done so much to improve. In 1852, two years after he went to Dc Iaiq, Mr Menelaus married Margaret Janet, second daughter of Mr Jeukin RhY3, and sister of Mr Rhys Hopkin Rhys, J.P., Llwydcoed. The lady, however, unfortunately died soon after the mar- riage, leaving no Issue. Mr Menelaus never mar- ried again. Of the many things which Mr Monelaus did for the advancement of the iron and steel trades, it may be particularly mentioned that he was the founder of the South Wales In- stitute of Engineers, as well as an original founder of the Iron and Steel Institute of Great Britain, which was started in his own house. Of this scientific body the Earl of Devon- shire was the nrst president, and Mr Menelaus was exalted to the same high position two or three years afterwards. In 1879 he was presented with the Bessemer medal of the Iron and Steel Insti- tute, in recognition of his great services in de- veloping the Bessemer process of steel making. He very grcat!y assisted, if he was not the one who entirely did so, in bringing the Bessemer 1 principle to perfection. This process he intro- duced about 1864 into the Dowlais Works, which were the nrst works to adopt this revolutionising process-at least on anything like a large scale. Amongst other matters that marked the exceed- ingly active life of Mr Menelaus, it may be men- tioned that he took a very prominent part in originating the volunteer movement, and was one of the nrst captains of the Second Glamorgan R.V.C., of which, for 10 years, we be- lieve lie was an active and respected omcer. He was repeatedly pressed by many of his friends to allow himself to be put upon the commission of the peace, but he always persistently decked the ÀQp.Qr,. soul and energies, espec'a.Hy those of his more t?j ? vanced years, seemed entirely engrossed af?i I wrapped up in the scientinc world, although very closely looked after every department of tX vast works under hia cha:"yc. There M no dr.ubt Mr Mcnelaus was a. m&a great wealtit, which he appears to have faid out" iron and coal works, anfl thus, by assisting to pr"' vide IncreaRed labour, doing good to the eonna'' nity at largo. It is not undcrstood that be U" vested any of his wealth in land or houses. H< ?' was not a man who could l?e referred to as of' ? itterary tmTi of nnnd, neither was he any ve!l '? great speaker, although he had given severe ?? practical addressee and speeches. Jt will be rt womhered that he very warmly espoused the cau< A of Mr W.T.Lewis when that gentleman was candidate at the la?t election, and was defeated M ?. Mr Chas. H. Jamps. ? Mr Menelaus's tastcs were purely seientinc aB< ? inechanlcal, varied with which waa a strong )ove £ art. He was a large collector of the best painting ':t with which the various rooms of bis spacIo en.' residence were crowded there wore general () t works by tlionrst artists, and many of them b a. the old masters. Our readers will remember th 'It e only recently Mr Menelaus promised a gift £10,000 worth of pictures to the new Cardiff Fret Library. This noble gift will serve to perpetu Ln his name in connection with the institution, who d\1 it will be many a year before it is forgotten n. the district of the works which he had succeeded „ in making so famous. The paintings which the had promised to give to Cardie will apparently b< to, but little missed, if at a!], amongst the great ? oollectMn hi.s house contains, although the.y wi? ? go far to adorn the walls of the Cardiff Fret Library. b.ir His loss i", deeply lamented, not only in tb< ao lower but in the higher walks of life. It is sai<! to that he worked both night and day. No doub< 'W' the primary cause of Mr Menelaus's great succeS* at the Dowlais works was the golden rule whict 111 ho laid down, and by which he invariably worked j\1 scarcely, if ever, departing from it, viz., ofhavicf 0] daily re-ports from all the departments under hit") of eacli of which he very minutely scrutini&ed, S< t that, evury twenty-four hours, he had a fuØ J'] knowledge of a)I portions of the works. Anothe' ? cause of Ills success was the indomitable persever ance, tho untiring regularity, and the exceedingly Jj close application he gave to his work. It ap' p? psared that be worked for the love of working* ? No doubt this cloae aud persistent application wa< ? the cause of bis breaking down at what was, for" tt man of bis calibre, a comparatively ear)y ago. ? He was extremely strict—almost severely 14 with those under him he was also short, f< and decisive in manner, and no one to s; obey or question bis orders. Quickness of tempet I ti was also one of his most striking characteristic? An unadmitted oifence, or any endeavour to coC' y ceal a fault from his keen eyes, mot with h1' r t severest displeasure, if not instant dismissal, bft I a fault readily admitted or acknowledged wa< 1 passed over, and not noticed again, a The foresight displayed by Mr MeneIaU* .Ii seems to ha\'e been sorothing wonderful, and whatever improvements likely to be of advantage to the works in future he saw looming in the di9' ] tance, he grappled with at once, and carried .< In doing this he was no doubt greatly assisted by ) the immense capital in the hands of the company*) and thus enabled to make trial of new improve*' ments which smaller concerns would hesitate te think of. It is said that soon after his a.ppoint-¡ ment at Dowlais, he found lying in a desk th<' plans of the Bessemer Steel' Works, which SM' John had bought seme time before. He cau?h?' the idea, at once set to work carrying out their erection, and brought the!" up to their present state of perfection. He was acomplete autocrat at Dowlais. One particularly strong and pleasing trait K his character waa the way in which he would pict t out clever boys a.t the works these ha would at t t once transfer to some other employment, whef< f' their abilities were displayed and developed. Many have since to thank him for the good position he thus gave them. If there was oaa [ onence more unpardonable than another in tb* I eyes of Mr Menclaus, it was for anyone employed in the works to give information outside of was going on within. This meant instant di3' missal for ever—he would tru.-t that party C" ¡ more. To ask him for information was almost as great a crime. We have remarked that his loss will be "11 felt. In no place wUl this be the ease greater inside the works. When Mr Menalaus first undef took the management at Dowlais, he was a tal!' strong, handsome man. It was his custom, eve" up till recently, daily to go through the works. and personally inspect what was g"t:)g on. ever the weather, and without anything on but his ordinary clothing, he would perform this daily duty, never heeding the mud and slush ovet which be had to travel. In later years, with long hair, thoughtful face, and pincing eyes, hii appearance was most characteristic. It may b9 added that be was the means of gettins' all the present raihvay ommunication up to Dowla.is. Of him it mjg-JJ. in respect of the works. I .iY1.r l\.LUt.u" I left the paintings to Lord Bute, Mr dark (Dow- lais), Mr R. 0. Jones, and Mr W. T. ¡ Lewis in trust for the benent ot the town of Cardiff. Some time sinoa the deed of transfer was drawn up and signed by ¡ the deceased, and the paintinga—56 in number—' have beeu since selected. They are now in the ¡ possession of the trustees, and will soon be trans- I ferred to the town. The announcement of Mr Menelaus's death waS posted at the o&oe of the <Soit(A tFa!es Daily jVetOt at two o'clock in the afternoon, and excited.a good deal of interest. Mr Menelttus wa& well-known in CardiN, more especially in connection with the Monmouthshire and South W&lea Collieries Asso- ciation, and was highly respected by the workmen as well as the masters.

DR. DE JONGH'S LiGHT-BROWX COD LiVER OrL., —" With .-t"umous and emaciated subjects, and her the general health M impa.ired," obserYes Sir Henry; Bart., M.D., Physician to the Queen in Ireland. the reviving and reanimating eSeetsof a regular diuly course of this animal Oil ate highly satisfactory. !? favourable a.ct:on 0:1 the system is renovating it checks progressive restart-s the yieldmg health. rebuilds, as it were, the tottery frame, and brings ahout a most 3on(l sa-lutary cha-iga in all the vital functions." Sc'!d only in capsaled I!ll[.erial half- pints, 2a 6d pints, 4s 9d quarts, 9a, by &1! uhemMts. Sole consigKe?i, Au?r, LtM'i?rd, fmd. Co., 77. Stran", il9D., 40223-a 1 j

UNVEILING A MEMORIAL STONE AT PENTRE. On Thursday afternoon an intereating, though i mournful, ceremony took place at the Pentra church, viz., unveiling a memorial stone erected ? to the memory of the late lamented Dr T. R. Phillips, of Treorky. Some time ago a committee was formed for the purpose of raising public sub- scriptiona to defray the expense in connection with the above object. The vicar of Ystrady- fodwg and Mr David Morgan, tramc manager, were respectively appointed treasurer and secre- ta.ry. In a short time sufficient money was collected to enable the committee to order tha memorial stone to be erected, and the work was entrusted to Mr Jonathan Jones, sculptor, Treorky. On Thursday, everything being ready, the vicar went through the ceremony of unveiling the memorial. There were present—the vicar, Messrs D. Morgan (T.V.R.), J. J. Evans, architect and surveyor S. F. Lewis, draper F. Jonas, Treorky Rev. — Morris, curate, Tre- herbert and several others. A few remarks appropriate to the occasion were delivered by the vicar, Messrs D. Morgan, and J. J. Evans, all of whom adverted to the great worth of Dr. Phillips. The stone is a beautiful piece of workmanship, and reSects great credit on the sculptor. It stands 15 feet high, with a base of 5 feet by 7 feet. It consists of Forest of Dean stone, with marbia panels. On the corners are the emblems of the four seasons cf the year, and on the tablet ia tha following epitaph beautifully inscribed:—" In memory of T. K. Pbillips, Esq., surgeon, of Tre- orky, born July 5th, 1841, dMd May 27th, 137& Also of his child, M. A. Phillips, died September 7th, 1881, ?gcd six months. This monument has' been erected by a number of sincere friends in the? Rhondda. Valley." j

THE DEATH OF MR MENELAUS. WiTH much regret we record the death of Mr MENELAPS, of Dowlais, which took place yesterday at Tenby. Of this, in some respects, remarkable man we give a biography in another column, and, therefore, need not dwell here upon the subject. It is impossible for those who have not lived where he lived and worked -to realise fully the great inHu- ance which he exerted, the enormous amount of labour which he performed, or the re- spect in which lie was held. He was mainly known, however, as the head, heart, and soul of the Dowlais Works. We say this, we need scarcely add, without disparagement to Mr G. T. CLA&K, whose relationship to the works and to the people was of a different kind. As a public man, a man ready to sacrifice tims, strength, and ability for the good of the community, Mr CLARK held for many years, and until very recently, a posi- tion to which Mr MENELAus never aspired. There is probably no man in Merthyr who has done so much in a public way in this re- spect as Mr CLARK. As Chairman for many years of the Board of Health, the Board of Guardians, and the School Board, he rendered inestimable public service. These were positions with which the name of Mr MENELAUS was never identmed, and which, so far as we are aware, he never coveted. He was a Dowlais man, at the head of the works, I going quietly about his daily duties, which he discharged with an ability and success which raised him Iiigh in the estimation of all the people, and carried his name every- where. His death will be deeply regretted by a very wide circle of admiring friends to whom his warm and homely hospitality and kindliness greatly endeared him. As a man of business, he may be said to have inspired many a youth to walk in his footsteps, and thua to achieve distinguished success.

SIR E. J. 11,EED, M.P., AND THE CLOTURE. We have received the following telegram from Sir E. J. Hoed, M.P. for Cardiff :-House of Commons, Thursday Evening. As so many speakers and journalists are endeavouring' to per- suade the country that the vote of the Liberal party to-night in favour of the cloture of debate by a majority of members will be given under pre- sure, and because of such pressure, I should wish you to state that, so far as I am concerned, this statement is perfectly untrue. We give our votes with readiness, and even eagerness, because we uÙ,ÙJl1 Vl lÚli5" Hid f}K)., d'iIJF."à.1\'iS&j who avmvedly despise the British House of Com- mons, can prolong debates beyond a,II reason, and prevent that legislation which the country urgently needs. For my part, it is to me unaccountable that the great Conservative party can consent to go into the division lobby with Mr Marriott and the extreme Irish party in favour of the following perfectly monstrous proposition, namely, "That no rules of procedure will be satisfactory to this House v.'I'ich confer the power of closing a debate upon a. majority of members." This is Mr Marriott'a proposal, in the form in which it is before the House and has to be voted upon, and it is one which I should be ashamed to entertain for a single moment. I trust and beueve that the Wel.s,li Liberal members wi!I vote as one man in opposition to it, &nd in support of that champion of the authority of the House-our veteran Prime Minister.

AIYNYDDISLWYN SCHOOL BOARD. The monthly meeting of the members of this board was held at Newbridge on Thursday, Mr J. T. Green presiding. There were also present Messrs D. Edwards (vice-chair), P. James, J. James, D. Bowen, and Rev. J. Griuiths.—The cierk reported that the overseers had, since the Ja.st meeting, paid the sum of JE124 on account of the outstanding precept of .8324 Is 2d. The item for magistrates' clerk's fees.amounting to J618 15s, was largeJy in excess of what had been hitherto paid, but J310 15s had been received on "this account, so thai; the balance against the board was only ;S7 18s. This was, the clerk pointed out, far better than the old state of things, and a great saving to the rates. Altogether the assistance the board obtained from the magistrates v/as greater than in the past.—Mr J. James asked whether there was likelihood of a.ny diminution in the number of defaulters.— The clerk replied that he was afraid not.- Every month it was found necessary to take pro- ceedings against large numbers of parents. On a recent occasion, however, the magistrates directed that a boy should be sent to an industrial school, and this step seemed to have had a very salutary effect, far greater than any amount of pecuniary penalties.—With reference to the additions to Newbridge schools, the clerk read a certificate signed by the architects, Messrs Watkins and Son. to the effect that the builder, Mr Linton, was entitled to J6750 on account of his tender.—The Chairman said great credit was due to the builder for pushing on with the work as he had done. He had finished the building three months before he was obliged to according to his contract.—Mr P. James said that fortunately the builder had had everything in his favour the weather, a quarry belonging to him, and plant on the ground.—The Clerk Still, it is seldom we hear of a contractor who does not exceed the time. —The Clerk then reported that he had been in communication with the Education Department and the Public Works Loan Commissioners, with reference to the obtaining of a loan of jBl,836, the total cost of the additions to Newbridge schools. The Education Department sanctioned the borrow- ing of the money, but the Public Works Loan Commissioners declined to advance it, on the ground that notice of probable requirements of the board was not given at the end of last year. Ultimately, however, the two central authorities agreed to relax their regulations so that the board might obtain a loan after the 1st prox. In order to relieve the board from any dimculty in the meantime, a letter was read from Mr E. W. Willey, manager of the Newport branch of the London and National Provincial Banking Company, offering to temporarily ad- vance the sum of i!l,8CO, to be repaid as soon as the board received money from the Public Works Loan Commissioners. —The Clerk said he had given notice that the board would require J35,000, not that he expected the whole of that sum would be needed, but in order to cover any pos sible contingency. In all probability, the board would obtain the .61,800 in a month :or six weeks a.ft?r the 1st April. Mr Watkins, architect, produced a, plan of the school teacher's house at Newbridgc, and it was agreed to make additions to the kitchen at a cost of .650.—A conversation took place as to certain entries made by Mr Hushes, the master of the boys' department of the Abercarn School, respecting a resoluticn p-Msed at the board meeting held on the 26th January, and it was &greed, on the motion of the Chairman, seconded by the Rev. D. Griffiths, that the clerk be instructed to c&ll upon Mr Hughes to withdraw the assertions contained in the entries. Mr P. James stated that Mr Hushes was not inclined on a recent occasion to allow him to see the log book-kept by him and it was agreed that the clerk see Mr Moatyn Price, the Government Inspector, on the power of the board as to a periodical inspection of the Jog-book kept by the different teachers.

KAY'a Tic PILLS, a Specie in Neura.!gla., Faccacbe, Ac., d, Is ld; postage Id. Sold by Chemists. Kay Bros., Stockport HOLLOWAY'S OINTMENT AND PiLM.—The in- Hrnut.tes of our nature almost nec.Msita.tt) disease. Im- liviag con.sta.ntly give r..se to despondency, debility, or diatampft'a. In th3 above-named remedies, the com- munity ca.n a.nd uu have, at a )itt!e cost, the safe and certain mear? of preventing or checking, and curing both and inward Ample plainly printed and very inteHigiMe directions accom- pany every package of both Ointment and Pills, which require attentive stuày to enaWe every invalid to be his or own medical adviser. The earlier these remedies are employed after discovery of the from the system a.U uox?Q'M tna?tat tmd restonng h?ltht < ?