The North Wales Express

PARTITION OF AFGHANISTAN. At the close of last week a communication from India was published in some of the j.ondon journals which was ostensibly of rather an important character. It was in the form of a telegram from Lahore, and purported to contain a statement of the intentions of our Indian Government with regard to the future disposal of Afghanistan, the position of political parties at home per- mitting. It seemed thus to be implied that our present Ministry was committed to such an arrangement, the only probable obstacle to the carrying-on L of which might be the accession of the Liberal party to power. But the doubt exhibited in regard to this point was enough to discredit the whole statement. If Lord Beaconstlnld's Cabinet had somewhat prematurely communicated to Lord Lytton instructions for a partition of Afghanistan, they would hardly have left him in doubt whether they intended shortly to run the gauntlet of a general election, which might result in upsetting all their plans, or whether they meant to secure time for the fulfilment of these by postponing the dissolution till the autumn and whoever had become acquainted with ministerial intention with regard to Afghanistan ought to have been a little better informed as to the prospect of these being interfered with by political changes at home. We need not refer now at any length to the statement of the alleged official plan for the disposal of Afghanistan. Suffice it now to say, that Herat and Afghan Kohistan were to be given to Persia Cabul was to be made the capital of one State under British protection, and Candahar of another; portions of Afghan territory were to be annexed to feudatory Indian States, and the whole of the Khoorum valley on one side, and territory to include Jellalabad on the other, were to be directly annexed to the Indian Empire. This bold scheme for partitioning a still unsubdued country, which has yet a considerable army on the field, appeared to be so improbable on the face of it that we were not surprised to find it almost immedi- ately discredited and repudiated by Min- isterial organs. Evidently it would be as precipitate at the present moment to lay down plans for the future disposal of Afghanistan as to sell the bear's skin before killing the bear, or to count the chickens before they are hatched. Mahom- ed Jan and his army have to be dealt with before the future disposal of Afghanistan can become a practical question for settle- ment. "Whon Sir Frederick Roberts recent- ly opened negotiations with that Afghan military leader, there seemed a prospect of an amicable settlement satisfactory to all parties. Our Government has surely no interest in prolonging the British occupation of Cabul, and would, presumably, be glad to withdraw its troops, if only a native autho- rity could be found or constituted capable of entering into engagement with regard to territorial and other arrangements con- sequent on recent events. But either the British commander is unreasonably exacting, or the Afghan General is an unreasonably obstinate, or the two have failed to come to an understanding. If such a settlement as we have referred to above had been pro- posed to Mahomed Jan, his rejection of over- tures would have been intelligible and natural; but General Roberts could hardly have been instructed to put such terms before an enemy still in arms and capable of offering resistance. If it has been deter- mined to crush all independence in Afghan- istan.and thoroughly to subjugate thecountry to the domination of the Indian Government, it may be expedient for the accomplishment of this purpose to parcel out the country among various States, in order to reduce the probability and power of future resistance. It may be that such division would be best for the material interests of the inhabitants of Afghanistan, who are not a homogeneous nationality, but a collection of diverse races and tribes, occupying districts geographi- J. Z> cally separated, and which have only been held together, when united, by military rule and oppression. But our business with regard to Afghanistan is only to secure British interests, 0 and not to re-settle the country in accordance with our ideal view of what may be best for its warfare. If our experience of Afghans has taught us any- thing, it is that they are impatient of for- eign, and especially of Christian interference, and that they would rather put up with mis- government and oppression among them- selves than accept order and justice from us.

NOTES OF THE WEEK. The case of Trenchard and Smith versus Ellis Roberts was heard at the Central Criminal Court, Old Bailey, on Tuesday last. The prosecution was conducted by Mr Cluer, barrister-at-law, whilst Mr Moreton Daniel and Mr Kemp, Q.C., defended. The jury believed there was no intent to defraud on the part of Mr Roberts, and gave a ver- dict of acquittal without calling on counsel for the defence.

The" liver fluke," or flounders, among sheep in all parts of the country is causing sanitary authorities to keep a sharp look out for diseased meat, and in Carnarvon our corporate officials have brought forward a case with the view ostensibly of warning butchers against selling the meat of sheep which had been so affected. But it does not seem very clear whether this disease so common among sheep at all times is such as to render the meat unfit for human food, and it would seem the borough bench of Carnarvon gratified a sentimental notion in taking the course they did in regard to the carcase seized on Saturday. The butcher, who might be supposed to be a practical authority as to the wholesomeness of meat, believed the flesh was not unwholesome, and the bench admitted that he was in no way to blame Still the carcase was con- demned as unfit to eat, and ordered to be destroyed. With due deference to the bench and to the superior judgment of Dr Rees, we think it would have been a fairer course, -especially as the disease is so general and by no means now, -had they issued an edict against exposing for sale the meat of sheep affected with "flukes," for it appears butchers generally were under a wrong im- pression as to its consequences. As it is, Mr Parry has to thank their worships for what is certain to prove an injury to him, despite all that was voluntarily said in his favour from the bench.

The School Board for the district of Car- narvon have, at last, through the efforts of their clerk, been able to wade through the puzzling disorder in which the whole of their affairs were left by their late clerk, who left this town some months ago. The board is not altogether blameless that such gross negligence should have been allowed to pass un-noticed by them, and now that their affairs have been fully investigated, it is found that defalcations amounting to over 160 have taken place. Who will be liable for this amount ? »

The Harbour Trustees of Carnarvon at their meeting on Tuesday took a course which will meet with general approval, in deciding to proceed at once to the erection of a low water pier at this port. Consider- ing the marine importance and attraction of Carnarvon, it is strange it should have so long suffered the want of a convenient landing place. Even on the other side of the Straits there are conveniences for land- ing at all tides but in Carnarvon, which is the market centre for a great portion of Anglesey, the facilities are most unsatisfac- tory. The initiative in the present move- ment, our readers may remember, was taken by the Hon. Charles Wynn, who brought the matter forward a few months ago.

« Many will have read with regret of the unlucky illness of Sir Watkin W. Wynn on St. David's Day, when he was stricken with a fit in the House of Commons. The worthy baronet is staunch in his observance of Welsh institutions, and he wore a leek in his coat when his sudden indisposi tioa befell him. He was to 'have presided the same evening at the Honourable Society of Ancient Britons, but in his absence Earl Powis took his place. We understand that Mr Charles Mainwaring, of Llaeth- wryd, Cerygydruidion, on Wednesday last, received a letter from the hon. baronet stat- ing that he was quite recovered from the fit of indisposition with which he was attacked in the House of Commons on Mon- day evening.

Mr Hussey Vivian, M.P., put to the Chancellor of the Exchequer the other night a question in which the whole Principality is interested. He desired to know whether it was the intention of her Majesty's Government to introduce any measure this session in reference to the subject of Higher Education in Wales, and in answer was told the Government was afraid it would not be able to do so; the finances of the country were not such as would warrant any step in that direction being taken just now. No one will be much surprised at the answer, and Mr Vivian, who could hardly expect any other, has done well to elicit the reply such as it is. But it will be just as well if Welsh electors will make a note of this un- generous manner of treating the Principality by a Government who consider the educa- tional wants of Wales as of secondary im- portance to the expenditure of a few hund- red thousands on such experiments as the bursting of eighty-one ton guns, and the fitting up of naval pleasure boats for the use of royal princes.

THE TRIAL OF MR- ELLIS ROBERTS, SLATE llIERCHANT, CARNARVON- On Tuesday, the 2nd inst., at the Central Criminal Conrt, Old Bailey, before Mr Commis- sioner Kerr, Ellis Roberts, formerly owner and afterwards manager of the Coedmadog Slate Quarry, Nantlle, who had been committed for trial by the Carnarvon Borough Magistrates on the 16th of February, was tried for having by false pretences obtained the sum of X396 Cs 6d, from Messrs Trenchard and Smith, a firm of slate merchants carrying on business at Ravensbourne Wharf, Greenwich, with intent to defraud. Mr Cluer, instructed by Mr George Lockyer, solicitor, of Greenwich, prosecuted, and Mr Kemp, Q.O., and Mr Moreton Daniel, instructed by Mr J. B. Allanson, of Carnarvon, defended. The counsal far prosecution, after opening his case, called Mr Joel Smith, who said that on or about the 8th of November last Mr Roberts had called upon him to solicit an order for slates- that his firm had given him an order, and that he had refused to make an advance of j6250 upon the cargo, but had agreed to pay cash on delivery. On the 17th of November his firm received a letter enclosing an invoice and bill of lading of slates shipped, and stating that Mr Anderson would call, to whom, they were to pay for the cargo. Mr Anderson called on the 19th, and he was paid JE396 Os 6d upon the faith of the bill of lading. The Judge It was on advance upon the bill of lading. It is done every day. The Witness continued: He believed that the slates were actually on board or he would not have paid the money. Not receiving the slates, and healing nothing of the vessel, he went down to Carnarvon on the 17th of January, when he found only L200 worth of slates actually shipped. He at once obtained a warrant and had Mr Roberts arrested. Cross-examination by Mr Kemp, Q.C. He obtained the warrant and had Mr Roberts arrested before making any inquiries about him, or asking him for an explanation. The £200 worth of slates have not yet been received by my firm, but we expect to receive them, the vessel being on her way to Greenwich. William Williams was called, and said he lived at Victoria Terrace, Criccieth, and was master of the schooner Snowdon. He saw Mr Roberts on the 17th of November, and agreed to take a cargo of slates to London. He signed a cbarter party,and Mr Roberts asked him to sign a copy, which he did. He did not know at the time he was signing a bill of lading. The vessel commenced loading on the 24th Nov. Cross-examined by Mr Kemp, Q.C. He had been a captain for six years, and had been a sea- faring man for 20 years. Before he was captain he had never seen a charter party or a bill of lad- ing. Since he was captain he had seen many, and had signed several, but could not say how many. He knew the difference between a bill of lading and a charter party. The Judge (handing the witness the bill of lad- ing) Is that what you say you signed as a copy of the charter party. This is nonsense. Hand the jury that document. I shall ask them to use their common sense about it. Mr Cluer: But the man understands very little English. He could not speak English until he was 20. Cross- examination of the witness continued: He CBuld not swear whether Owen Jones was present when he signed the bill of lading, but believed not. He was not told at the time there were seven trucks full of slates by the ship's side. He did know there were some slates on the quay ready for load- ing. He was told he would have dispatch. The vessel could have been loaded in two or three days and he expected to sail much earlier than he did. Alexander Burner Anderson said that in about August last he became purchaser of the Coed- madog State Quarry. Mr Robeits was his man- ager, and he was to have half the profits. He met Mr Roberts in London early in Nobember, when he stated that he was loading a sargo of slates for the prosecutors, which he expected to be ready in a few days. He handed me a letter authorizing Trenchard and Smith to pay me. He subsequently received a letter stating that the vessel had finished loading and would sail on the morrow, and asking him to call for a cheque from the prosecutors. He called upon the prosecutors on the 18th, and after- wards on the 19th November, when he presented Mr Roberts' letter, and received a cheque for X396 Os 6d. which he cashed on the same day. He remitted £270 to Owen Jones, the clerk at the quarry, and paid £84 to take up a dishonored cheque of Mr Roberts. He quite believed tho slates had been loaded and that everything was all right. Cross-examined by Mr Kemp, Q.C.: He left his hotel about ten o'clock on the 19th November. Did not recollect a letter from Mr Roberts of the 18th stating that the vessel bad not completed loading, and asking him to explain that to the merchants to prevent misunderstanding. Wit- ness was here called upon to produce the letter of the 18th of November; but after searching through his papers said he had not got the letter. Did not recollect ever having received it. Did not explain to the merchants that the vessel had not finished loading. Edward Fenny Frenchard was called to prove that he signed the cheque and handed it to Mr Anderson on the 19th of November. He believed at the time the slates had been shipped. Owen Jones was examined and said that he was a clerk to Coedmadoc Quarry. On the 19th of November, he received a telegram from Mr An- derson stating that £ 270 had been remitted to my credit at the London and Provincial Bank, Ban- gor. He received that amount and handed it all to Mr Roberts. Cross-examined by Mr Kemp, Q.C.: All that money was paid away by Mr Roberts on account and for the purposes of the quarry. There was a large amount due for wages. I did not see the Captain sign the bill of lading, but I was in and out of the room. There were six, seven, or eight trucks full of slates on the Carnarvon Quay when the Captain signed the bill of lading. There were also plenty of slates on the quarry bank to finish the loading. I posted Mr Roberts' let- ter of the 18th to Mr Anderson in time for the evening post. Mr Kemp read the letter in which Mr Roberts stated that the vessel had not finished loading and asked that this should be explained to Trenchard and Smith so as to save any mis- understanding. Mr Cluer complained that the letter had been sprung upon as a surprise. The information which it contained ought to have been given at Car- narvon. The Judge: In the present state of the law I would not advise the most innocent man to give any information, if he is a prisoner. Mr Kemp, Q C.: Is it necessary for me to address the jury ? The jury consulted for a few seconds. The Foreman: My Lord, the jury is unani- mously of opinion that there was no intent to defraud. The Judge expressed his full concurrence with the verdict and commented somewhat strongly upon the prosecution, saying he would traverse the costs to the utmost of his power. Mr Roberts was then immediately cleared from custody.

CARNARVON TOWN COUNCIL. The above meeting was held on Tues- day, there being present the Mayor (Alderman Lewis Lewis), Aldermen G. R. Rees, W. W. Roberts, J. P. De Winton, Councillors W. P. Williams, J. Williams, Ed- ward H. Owen, John Jones, J. O. Jones, M. T. Morris, G. Griffith, Thomas Williams, William Hamer, Robert Williams, W. H. Owen, Richard Thomas, John Lloyd, Evan H. Owen. Mr J. H. Roberts, town clerk; and Mr R. LI. Jones, borough surveyor. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.

THE GAS OF THE READING ROOM. The Mayor asked what the council intended doing with regard to the application of the com- mittee of the Carnarvon Reading Room and Library for the use of the gas during the past year free of charge.—Alderman G. R. Rees thought it would be illegal to accede to the request. It could not be allowed.—The Ex-Mayor said if that was the case, it was no use to discuss it at all.- The Clerk said if they could not grant it free of charge, they might reduce their terms if they wished.—Alderman G. R. Rees thought the mem- bers ought to pay a higher rate of subscription. What they paid did not amount to more than about a halfpenny a week.-The Ex-Mayor said as it was very likely it would be the last time the application would come before them, and as they were in difficulties, he would propose that they should have it at half-price.—Councillor M. T. Morris seconded the proposition.—Councillor R. Thomas rose and protested against the proposition. The matter had been fully gone into last year, and they then decided to refuse the application, and this year they were further in debt than they were then. He thought it was unfair that they should fall upon the council if their funds had decreased. He proposed as an amendment that the application be disallowed.—Councillor Thomas Williams also took this view of the case. The matter had been fully entered into previously, and he would second the amendment.-OR a vote being taken, the amendment was carried.

THE FINANCE COMMITTEE. A meeting of the above committee was held on the 1st inst.—Mr Robert Williams applied for L60 promised him by the council towards the cost of making a road from Wynne-street to Cadnant- lane, and it was resolved that the X60 be paid when the road was completed to the satisfaction of the borough surveyor, as arranged when the money was promised.-The minutes of the above committee were confirmed.

THE SANITARY COMMITTEE. A meeting of this committee was held on the 27th of last month.-Major Clayton called the attention of the committee to the fact that a number of cellars were not in accordance with the Act of Parliament.—The Surveyor was ordered to see the Town Clerk and ask what steps should be taken to compel either Robert Williams or Richard Rowlands to put up a wall adjoining the Cadnant at the bottom of Well-street.—It was decided to bring before the council the matter that a portion of the Morfa is to be allotted for the guardians.-It was recommended that notice boards cautioning persons committing nuisances be placed in various parts of the town.—The Medical Olhcer t Ur Hees) reported that at Ysgubor Wen an old building nn the Bangor-road had been converted into a dwelling-house and cow- house, but no provision had been made for drain. age. The liquid manure from the cow-house flowed towards the road, and in rainy weather it was washed to the door of the house. The privy accommodation to a house immediately behind Ysgubor Wen was insufficient, and in rainy weather the refuse was washed down past the cow- house and dwelling-house doors of Ysgubor Wen into the road. Two houses fronting a new road behind Ysgubor Wen were unprovided with drain- age, and one only had a privy, which was in- sufficient. Although it was not offensive to smell when he visited it, it must be in warm weather. He was informed that in consequence of the absence of privy accommodation, violation of decency frequently took place not very far from the public road.—The committee recommended that the im- mediate attention of Mr Pugh be called to the medical officer's report as to the state of the barn and adjoining houses in Campbell-road, which were without suitable sanitary accommodation.— With regard to the wall adjoining Cadnant, the Borough Surveyor said he had seen Richard Row- lands, and he was willing to have the place attended to.—Acting upon the recommendation of the above committee, it was resolved to call the attention of Mr Pugh to the property in Campbell. road.—A question of providing additional urinals in various parts of the town was referred to the Sanitary Committee.—Respecting the portion of the Morfa which had been allotted for the use of the Union, the Ex-mayor explained that he merely called the attention of the council to the case because he thought such an important subject should not be passed unnoticed. He would not like to oppose the Union. He would propose that Mr Assheton Smith be waited upon and asked to give up his interest in the remainder of the Morfa in favour of the town.—Ultimately it was decided that a committee of the members of the council be appointed to confer upon the matter, after which Mr Assheton Smith would be waited upon.

NUMBERING THE HOUSES. Major Clayton said he had taken the liberty of attending that meeting in order to request the council to get the houses in the borough numbered. As they were he found it very inconvenient, and if they would see to having them numbered, which the Act of Parliament required, it would assist him greatly. He also pointed out that there were several streets unnamed, mostly new ones, and in some cases the names were not on the old streets. -The Mayor also read a letter from Mr Chenery postmaster, bearing upon the same subject, com- plaining of the difficulty experienced in the delivery of letters, and asking that steps should be taken as early as possible to have the streets named and the houses numbered.—It was resolved on the motion of Alderman G. R. Rees, that the names of the streets be put up, and the houses numbered, and that all those at present irregularly numbered be attended to.-A question was then raised as to who should bear the expense of numbering the houses-the owners or the corporation ?-The Mayor said that they were done by the corporation on the last occa- sion.-It was subsequently decided, on the motion of Alderman W. W. Roberts, seconded by Coun- cillor R. Williams, that, for the sake of uniformity in the numbers, the expense should be borne by the corporation.

THB INSPECTOR OF NUISANCES. The Town Clerk said that it was necessary that the inspector of nuisances should be elected an- nually, and it was resolved that Mr Moreton be re-elected, the appointment dating from 29th September last.

THE NEW ROADS AT YSGUBOR WEN. The Borough Surveyor said he went over the new roads at Fsgubor Wen that day, and found nothing to complain of, but the fences required to be kept in order.

THE MARKETS. The Borough Surveyor submitted plans for the re-construction of the market hall. —On the motion of Alderman G. R. Rees the plans were submitted to the markets committee to be reported upon at a special meeting of the council to be called for the purpose, Alderman De Winton ob- serving that a committee could discuss the ques- tion more satisfactorily than the council as a body.

SUNDAY CLOSING IN WALES. The Mayor said that he had received letters from J'tfr Bulkeley Hughes, M.P., and Mr John Roberts, M.P., promising to support the Bill for Sunday Closing of Public Houses in Wales. Mr Bulkeley Hughes' communication stated that he had presented the petition signed by the Mayor, 23 members of the corporation, and about 5000 parishioners, including a number of publicans. The hon. gentleman stated that they may assure themselves and those who had signed the petition that he would do all in his power to promote the measure.-The Mayor said he had also communi- cated with the Hon. Douglas Pennant, but he had received no reply.

THE RECENT SEIZURE OF DISEASED MEAT. Councillor R. Williams said that he hadreceived a letter upon the above subject which the writer requested him to read before the council that evening :—The writer stated that he had been in- formed that very recently a carcase of mutton in one of the shops at Carnarvon was seized and taken to the straits and sunk, and at the magis- terial enquiry the medical evidence went to show that it was unfit for human food on account of having flukes on the liver. If that was so, there were not now, or never were, but very few sheep in this, or any other country, fit for human food, for he had killed hundreds of sheep in his time, and thought that he could safely say that ten out of every twelve had more or less flukes in the liver, and it was a well-known fact that sheep with flukes or flounders in the liver would fatten faster than those without, for the first six months or so. This was a very serious matter, and if seizures were to be made this way, and good mutton destroyed for that simple reason, it meant nothing more or less than ruin to agriculturists at large. Every means should be used to modify that law, if it was law, and much as he valued the medical profession, he thought instead of having M.D.'s to inspect the carcases of animals, it should be a M.R.V.C., a proper person appointed by Government for that purpose and if they were not allowed to sell a sheep because it had flukes on the liver, it would ruin all the farmers in the United Kingdom, and he hoped that those who drew such tight lines would never have to eat anything worse, he (the writer) for one hoped he never should in that case the public would have to go without mutton, which meant, of course, an advance in every other kind of meat to double the present prices then, who could buy any ? The writer of the letter knew that he (Mr Williams) was a member of the Town Council, and perhaps would bring the matter forward, as it really was a very serious consideration for the country generally, and should be dealt very carefully with, as the public property could soon be wasted. The writer would like the council to have Mr Rumsey Williams' opinion on it, whether he thought the meat (unless it was ia a very poor emac ated condition) unfit for human food. He (the writer) would not be afraid of eating the flesh of any sheep that was properly slaughtered.—Mr De Winton spoke in strong terms against offering diseased meat for sale, and said the offence should be severely punished.—Alderman W. W. Roberts defended the authorities, and held that the medical officer of health was the proper person to decide as to the state of the meat.—Councillor John Lloyd said it was a fact that sheep with fluke in the liver would fatten sooner, and was considered the best mutton.—The Mayor said that Dr Rees condemned the sheep brought before the borough magistrates, because it had arrived at a certain degree which rendered it unfit for food. -Alderman W. W. Roberts said if the sheep were killed at the first stage of the disease they were not dangerous.-The Mayor and several members of the corporation asked for the name of the writer of the letter, but Councillor R. Williams said he was very sorry that he was not in a position to give them the name, so the matter dropped.

MISCELLANEOUS. Mr Parsons reported that he had made the ex- periment of lighting the town clock, as proposed by Councillor T. Bugbird, but found that owing to the thickness of the glass of the dial it was im. possible.-The Borough Surveyor reported that he had written to the Humane Society with respect to the fire escape, as requested, and they replied that it was not within their province to supply the fire-escape.-From the balance-sheet of the gas committee for the year ended 31st December last, it appeared that there was a net profit of £109 6s 9d after payment of all charges, the balance in the bank amounting to JE1398 7s lld.-Three tenders were received for the erection of a mor- tuary, and the one sent in by Mr David Williams, builder, Carnarvon, offering to erect the building for £28, being the lowest tender, was accepted, the Harbour Trust to pay half the cost.—Alder- man G. R. Rees said he was sorry to say that there was a loss of JE35 on the markets last year.

THE NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD OF WALES. Among the artistes already engaged for the above festival at Carnarvon we find the names of Miss Mary Davies, Madame Patey, Misses Maggie J. Jones, Lizzie Evans, Jennie A. Williams, Eos Morlais, Messrs. Ben Davies, Signor Foli, Lucas Williams, James Sauvage, Dr Stainer (organist of St. Paul's), Mr John Thomas (her Majesty's harpist), Idris Vychan, Messrs. R. S. Hughes, J. H. Roberts (Pencerdd Gwynedd), J. H. Williams, &c. The committee is in treaty with other well- known artistes.

WELSH MUSICAL SCHOLARSHIP. The following further appeal is made by Mr John Thomas:—"Permanent Scholarship fer Wales at the Royal Academy of Music, London to be competed for by cane idates from all parts of the Principality, and to be open alternately to vocalists and instrumentalists. 11,000 required. Mr John Thomas, having succeeded in collecting over JE400 towards the above scheme, is encouraged to maks a further appeal to his compartriots, in the hope of realizing the j61,600 required for its endowment. He therefore addresses himself especially to members of choral societies, pro- moters of eisteddfodau, and all lovers of music in the Principality, to assist in establishing this per- manent scheme far educating young Welsh musicians, possessing ample musical talent, but no means for its cultivation. The scholarship is intended to give each successful candidate three years' musical education at the Royal Academy of Music so that, at the termination of the period of each scholarship, another educated musician may be added to those who have already distinguished themselves, and are indebted to that institution for the high position they occupy in their pro- fession. Four hundred pounds are already in. vested in Consols, in the names of the following trustees:—Mr John Thomas (Pencerdd Gwalia), Professor George Macfarreu (Principal of the Royal Academy of Music), and Dr John Williams, London. Subscriptions (which will be duly acknowledged, and lists published from tim e to time) to be forwarded to Mr John Thomas (Pencerdd Gwalia), harpist to Her Majesty the Queen, 53, Welbeck-street, London W. P.S.— Cards (endorsed) will be forwarded to all those who kindJy undertake to collect subscriptions amongst their friends."

ST. DAVID'S DAY. HOLYWELL. LITERARY MBETING. A meeting of a highlv interesting character yraS held at Chapel-street Chapel on Monday evening being St. David's Day, when upwards of 120 per* sons competed in reading, reciting, singing, handwriting, essays, poetry, art, and in knowledge of Scriptural history. The idea of holding the meeting was only conceived some six weeks ago, so that scarcely a month was allowed for prepara* tion to the competitors on the various subjects, and the large number of persons who sent in their names, compositions, diid other productions, rather surpassed the anticipations of the sanguine promoters. Although the day was beautifully fine, a hailstorm of unusual severity was ex- perienced towards the evening, but this fact did not have any serious effect upon the number of persons who flocked to the chapel, which became crowded as the meeting advanced. Mr UriaS Bromley, of Chester, director of the Welsh Flan- nel Company, occupied the chair, and met with » hearty reception. After a few appropriate intro- ductory remarks by the chairman, the work of the meeting was proceeded with. Three children competed in reciting the hymn, Abide with me,' &c., and Harrold Roberts, Bank- place, was adjudged best. For the prize offered for the best epigram on Y V fawr,' twelve eempeted, two of which only were adjudged deserving of the prize, bearing the names of Mor- grugyn' and I Y V fach.' Mynyddwr applied, aS the representative of the author of the two epigrams, for whom he gave an unearthly name and address, that he should be invested in his stead and that the prize should be returned to the funds of the meeting. This was done, but the cheers of the audience placed it beyond doubt that the "representative" and the author were one and the same person. Out of five competitors, Miss Annie Williams (stationer), was awarded the prize for the best knitted pair of stockings, and » prize was also awarded Miss C. E. Williams, Zion, a little girl nine years of age. Eight chil- dren from Mount Pleasant School, led by Miss Charlotte Pierce, received the prize for singing I Angry words,' which they did in such an excel- lent manner as to call forth loud applause and » unanimous encore. E. J. H. Williams was ad- judged best, out of five competitors, in naming trom memory the books of the Old and New Tes- taments. Out of taree translations of the well known Welsh hymn, 'Braint, braint,' that of Mr W. P. Williams gained the prize. At this juncture, the Rev W. Wallace Thomas gave a characteristic song. Four children competed in reciting < The cats and the monkey,' and the prize was divided between them, viz., Peter E. Booley, Catherine Williams, Edward Jones, and Joseph Ellis. Out of three maps of Afghanistan sent in, that of Master Arthur Caradoc Williams was the best. ana that of Lymro was adjudged second, but, there being no second prize, his proper name did not transpire. For proficiency in the history of Aaron, the prize was divided between ThomaS Pierce and Samuel Davies. Four essays were re" ceived upon 'Chapel-street Sunday School: its virtues and its shortcomings; with suggestions towards its improvement.' The compositions of Messrs W. H. Davies and W. P. Williams were adjudged of equal merit, and the prize was in" creased and divided between the two. For the choir of not less than twenty children which ren- dered best Yn mlaen, yn mlaen,' by Dr Parry, the prize was divided between a choir front Chapel-street, and one from Llanerchymor, led by Messrs Evan Williams and David Hughes respec- tively, the former of whom returned his share to the funds of the meeting. For the best hand- made pinafore, Miss E: E. Price, Manchester House, was awarded the first prize, and a young lady from Bagillt, whose name did not transpire, the second, out of four competitors. For the best specimen of handwriting, Mr A. Caradog Williams gained the first prize, and Mr Edward Jones, Greenfield-street, the second, there being 31 com- petitors. For inserting the vowels in a Welsh verse of twelve lines, of which the consonants only were given, or, to translate the exact phraseology £ e,Pr0lgramme' 'lor dressing a verse of boneS with flesh,' five persons competed; the produc- tions of two of whom, viz., Messrs John DavieS and W. H. Davies, being correct, the prize was divided between them. Mr Evan Williams was the only competitor upon the bass solo, trwlaa yr hen Geninen werdd,' and the prize was deservedly awarded to him. Out of, two sampler* sent in, the best was one in which the words 'Dydd Gwyl Dewi, 1880,' were worked in Ger- man text, and Miss Grace William", who was the maker of both, received the priae. The principal literary competition of the evening was that of the essays upon The advantages which would accrue from the Sunday closing of public houses,' of which four had come to hand. The adjudi- cator (Rev. John Pugh, B.A.) spoke in eulogistic terms of the high character ot the whole of the four, and urged that an English essay bearing the mm de plume ;0f Move on,' and a Welsh one signed Parchwr y Sabboth,' should be printed in pamphlet form and circulated. He adjudged the prize to Mr W. H. Davies (' Move on'), and adjudged that of Parchwr y Sabboth as second in merit, but there being no second prize, the author s name did not transpire. For the best hymn of three verses, adapted for Sunday School use, seven persons competed, and Mr William Williams, of Glyndyfrdwy, was awarded the prize. Two excellent hand-made linen shirts were received in competition, Mrs Mary Parry, Newmarket, receiving the first prize, and Miss Jenny Jones, Greenfield Terrace, the second prize. The priz" of £ 2 10s to the choir of 25 voices which rendered best the glee, Nant y mynydd was awarded to a choir conducted by Mr G. R. Grif- fith, there being no other party competing. No epigram of sufficient merit had been received upon The Spider,' for the composition of which all hour and a half was allowed. Five competed ia impromptu reading, and the prize was sained by Miss Catherine Williams. Mr John Davies wa9 awarded the prize for reciting a beautiful quota- tion from an ode by Eben Fardd, there being five competitors. Out of two competitors, Mr W P Williams was awarded the prize for an impromptu speech upon the 4 Lying man.' Cordial vote of thanks brought the meeting to a close. That part of the chapel behind the platform was de- corated with the successful and non. successful samplers, pinafores, stockings, maps, &c., and in front of the platform were hung the ribbons and satchels with which the successful competitors were invested, which were gratuitously made by Misses H. Hughes, Louisa Davies, E. E. Price Phcobe Williams, Grace Williams, and Lottie Williams. The chairman, adjudicators, members of the committee, &c., were decorated with neat rosettes kindly made by Mrs Rowland Roberts and Miss Kate Jones. The following ladies and gentle- men acted as adjudicators on the various subjects: —Mrs David Oliver, Mrs Josephus Williams Miss Hannah Hughes, Rev J. Pugh, B.A., Rev O. LI Davies, Rev E, Evans, Rev O. Thomas B A Po* W. W. Thomas, Messrs W. T. Cole, P. MwvndeJ Evans, Josephus, and S. Nuttall. The proceeds of the meeting are m aid of the miesion school at Mount Pleasant. Great praise is due to Mvnvdd- wr (the secretary) and Josephus (chairman of the committee), from both of whom the proposal to hold the meeting emanated, for the excellent ar- rangements and for the successful manner in which the project was carried out, and it will no doubt be a pleasure to many to learn that the meeting ia henceforward to be an annual fixture. annnai CARNARVON. TREAT TO THE POOR CHILDREN On Monday last (St David's DaJ) about 830 of the poor children of Carnarvon were treated to an abundant supply of excellent soup, aid nlnm pudding. The "feast" took place in the Kitchen Balaclava Road, which was admirably adapted for such a prupose. The soup was nr £ Tided by subscriptions, collected by Mrs Pugh,

*"7—;— The neighbourhood of Ebenezer is always to the fore in its propensity for turning up cases of gross brutality, and on Saturday last the County Magistrates had to perform what is a frequent duty in inflicting punish- ment upon a couple of brutes from that locality. A good deal of exaggeration on both sides must be allowed for, but never- theless it would seem clear the two men charged had entered the house of the prose- cutor, and inflicted a most grievous assault upon him and his wife. We doubt whether the sentence of a month's hard labour is adequate in such a case.

Still there may be some flagrant cases of disease, and it would behove the Corpora- tion to employ an officer whose duty it will be to certify as to the condition of animals brought to market. In other towns a veterinary surgeon is entrusted with this 0 duty, and we see no reason why Carnarvon should be behind other towns in this res- pect. ♦

» Mr Thomas Hughes, an author of a work upon Wire," and a member of the School Board of Holywell, thought fit at the last meeting to give notfce of a most ridiculous proposal affecting ourselves, which had it not been for the inference it makes as to the veracity of our reports we would treat with the contempt it deserves. He intends to propose that the reporter of the North Wales Express be excluded from the meetings. We are obliged to this Mr Hughes for his good wishes, but he may yet have to learn that the board cannot re- fuse admission to our reporter or any other. We are not to blame if the impartial veracity of our reports of the board's proceedings have made Mr Hughes appear a rather obnoxious person in the eyes of the town, and he himself is responsible for much of the nonsense which has been but mildly re- ported in these columns. It is no treat neither to attend nor read the reports of such idiotic performances as have from time to time taken place at these meetings; and were it not a public duty to let outsiders know what stupid pranks are carried on sometimes, we should long ago have ceased reporting them.

♦— Richard Evans, of the Traveller's Arms, near Holyhead, would seem to be a most unfit person to conduct a public house, and well deserved the lesson imposed upon him at the Holyhead petty sessions on Wednes- day for permitting drunkenness in his house on a Sunday in January last. As is often the case with publicans so charged this Evans tried to argue the sobriety of the man supplied with drink, and would vin- dicate himself on the plea that he did not know the parties were intoxicated. This is no extenuation for violating the law, and men who have not the uprightness and determination to observe its provisions, deserves not only to be heavily fined, but to have his license cancelled.

The real friends of Dr Evan Pierce, of Denbigh, have mooted a plan to do him honour in a much more suitable and appre- ciative way than that propounded by a few political touts who endeavoured to goad the doctor to the inglorious attempts to split the Liberal cause, which would benefit neither himself nor anybody else. Dr Pierce is a noble example of the self-made man, and his high position, socially and profession- ally, is the result of a long life, of persever- ance and usefulness. The worthy veteran has been unsparing in his munificence, and his kindness to thousands in need has made his name dear in every part of the county. The council in their endeavour to do him honour will have the approbation of a large section of a grateful community.