The North Wales Express

A RARE CHURCH CATECHISM. To the Editor of the OBSERVER AND EXPRESS. Srn,—Your readers would, perhaps, be in- terested by the enclosed method of teaching the young," adopted by the Establishment of the Eighth Harry." It is an authentic specimen of priestly instruction as given at the Church of England Sunday School, Aberdare, on the first Sunday in February, lS8-i, and I have no reason to believe that it has been discontinue I. However, we cannot positively state that it has been adopted in its entirety by the militant curate; of Carnarvon- shire. It may, for aught that is kuowu by out- siders. It bears sufficient evidence that the Upas tree of State Churchism planted by" licentious Harry is producing fruit after its kin(I-A fruit luscious and sweet, no doubt, to its pious protectors. Listen to the ghastly mummery and judge for your- ,elf.-Youi,s faithfully, 18th Feb., 1S85. IWAN JENKYN. Q. Who made you, my children ?-A. God, sir. Q. Is God good ?—A. Yes, sir. Q. Are we all good?—A. No, sir. Q. What are we, thn r-A. Sinners, sir. Q. Well done, good children. Now tell me- where do we live in?—A. Ab 'rdire, sir. Q. Are there any places of worship in Aberdare ? tlt,-ee chit)-eltes. —A. Yes, sir; three churches. Q. Can you name them ?-A. Yes, sir St. John's, St. Evan's, and St. Mary's. Q. Would it be a sin to close these good places ? —A. Yes, sir. Q. Are there any people trying to close and rob us of these good places :-A, Yes, sir. Q. Would they not like to turn them to museums or something else, if possible ?—A. Yes, sir, Q. Don't these people try to rob us of our money, too?—A. Yes, sir. Q. The money we have to pay our good vicar, is it not ?—A. Yes, sir. t, Q. Who are they, my good children ?-A. The people of the Liberation Society, sir. Q. What are they—are they good people ?-A. No, sir. Q. What are they, then?—A. Thieves, sir. Q. What else; are they truthful people ?—A. No, sir, story-tellers or liars. Q. What did you say ?—A. Story-tellers and robbers, sir. Q. Well done, good children. Don't you forget these facts. Now again: Isn't our duty to do all we can to oppose these wicked people ?—.A. Yes, sir. Yes, my dear children, it is our duty, and I want you to remember all this after you go home, and tell your fathers and mothers not to sign their names to any petitions these wicked people will bring them, and to mind to come to our lm-etiuor on Tuesday night at the Temperance Hall. ° N.B.—" There are none so blind as those that won't see." Although there are in the valley 18 Independent churches. 16 Baptist churches, 13 Calvinistic Methodist churches, 7 Wesleyan' churches, 5 Primitive Methodist churches, 2 Uni- tarian churches. 2 Roman Catholic churches, and 1 Presbyterian church, making in ail 64 churches yet, in the face of this self-evident fact some would have us to foolishly believe that there are no places of worship in Aberdare but the Esta- blished Churches of England. When Aristotle was asked what a man could gain by telling a falsehood, he replied, "Neverto be believed when he tells the truth." Surely III this business, as in all others, the Church is pure, and tine, and truthful and lovely: IWAN JENKYK.

BRUSHES. SPOXOES. LEATHERS. &C.—(.'all and see Birkett's choice assortment. A few soiled ones at less than halt cost (to clear). Bin'celt's City and CountII Supply Stores, Bang or.

HERE AND THERE. BY UBIQUE. The Bangor branch of the Carnarvonshire Liberal Association is at last asserting-its indi- viduality and existence, and there have actually appeared on the walls of the Cathedral city, pla- cards announcing that ;Dr. Kirk will, to-morrow, under its auspices, deliver a lecture on the Land Laws. 'I he Association may be congratulated upon not having'gone outside Wales, and uponjnot having to depend upon a lecturer "all the way from Uldham," as the Tories had lately to do in the person of Ili-,Bottomley. Dr. Kirk may want a text as to the acquisition of land in Bangor. Well, let him ask how the Penrhyn estate has be- come possessed of the land opposite the Garth Inn, which the Corporation contemplates con- verting into a pleasure ground, and for which the ratepayers of Bangor are to be asked to pay a rent POther similar instances might be pointed out, but the:|Estato, it may be taken for;granted. will not again venture upon such a high-handed proceeding as the closing of a public footpath like that of i'yddyn Bottwm. # Whether Colonel Sackville-West, the agent of the Penrhyn Estate, will preside at Wednesday's meeting cf the Assessment Committee of the Bangor and Beaumaris Union is an open question. The Llanfairfechan ratepayers do not like the new basis of Isless,iietit, and a deputation has been ap- pointed to convey their opinions to the Assessment Committee. Bethesda, or rather Llaullechid, now favours the new basis and for reasons pointed out last week, Llaadegai is not likely to take exception. In the face, however, of the strong opposition shown, especially by the ratepayers resident in the Anglesey district of the Union, and having regard to the fact that the income tax basis was adopted by a majority of only one, it is extremely im- probable that the Assessment Committee will venture to adhere to a basis which is manifestly acknowledged to be unfair, unjust and inequitable. Moreover, eome ratepayers, whose assessment has. as they consider, been unfairly increased, regard being had to the rating of other properties in the Union, acting upon legal advice, are likely to take steps to quash the new assessment, should it be en- forced by the committee. A A good many Churchmen do not thank the curates of Llanfairfechan for posing at Libera- tionist meetings as the representatives of The Church Militant." Perhaps, unconsciously, Messrs Jones and Hughes have given the move- ment for the Disestablishment]of the Church in Wales an impetus for which the Liberationists have every cause for jubilation. Left alone and undisturbed by the Llanfairfechan curates, the Liberationism meetings would probably have passed unnoticed, or. at all events, have de- served but little attention. Messrs Hughes and Thompson Jones have certainly rendered excel- lent service in the Disestablishment campaign, and afforded the best arguments against the cause they had to advocate. But why the curates of such an important an d populous parish asTLlanfairfechan, to whose aid has just been summoned a vicar of an out- landish parish on the borders of Merionethshire, should have been selected for such service, puzzles not a few. Many Anglesey clergymen, recognising the circumstances detailed above, and "declining to add to the notoriety already attained by Messrs Hughes and Thompson Jones, have declined to sanction the holding of anti- Liberationist meetings in their parishes. The Bangor City Council has done much towards mending its ways, and the thoroughfares of the city are now fairly passable and will bear favourable com- parison with those of other neighbouring towns. But, oddly enough, people will ask why t!le High-street 11 11 —the usain thoroughfare—which is being improved by new buildings springing up, is still disfigured by structures not at all in keeping with modern tastes. Who owns the cottages adjoining the Museum, and ihose old-fashioned buildings not far distant from London House? Rumour will have it that they are the property of two aldermen of the city. As to those adjacent to the Museum there was a good deal of discussion in the time of the Local Board. They are certainly no ornament to the main thoroughfare of any town, and whoever rejoices in their ownership should also bear in mind, now that Bangor has gone in so strongly for public improve- ments, their close contiguity to a pubhc institution. The Bangor City Council has of late gone in for niaiiy public improvements. In whom is vested the ownership of those "petrified kidneys" opposite the Cathedral, and between the shop of Councillor Cameron and the Castle Hotel'? They are not agreeable to pedestrians, especially on a hot day and with thin boots. To remove them and replace them with decent flagging would not be resented by the Dean and Chapter as a "ptank" in the Disestablish- ment movement which is agitating the Carnarvon- shire clergy. Much pressure is being brought to bear upon Mr Jones-Parry to relinquish. the representation of the C arnarvonshire Boroughs, and to stand for the .Southern Division—or as it will be henceforth known —the Eivion portion of the county, there being no question that the two divisions, as suggested by Mr Darbishire at the inquiry held by the Boundary Commissioner, will be designated Arvon and Eivion. Mr Jones-Parry, as far as can be learned, will not give way under such pressure, but will stand by his present constituency. Mr Ellis-Nanney is carefully nursing the south as the Conservative candidate—"nominee," judging by his utterances when he unsuccessfully contested the county against Mr Rathbone, is a term he holds in special abhor- rence. There is no use denying the fact that Mr Ellis-Nanney is a strong candidate and favoured generally on social, if not political grounds, for lie has a happy knack, like Mr Jones-Parry, of making himself agreeable with all with whom he comes in contact. Hence the necessity for the Liberals selecting a candidate who is likely to be in accord, socially as well as politically, with the constituency. As regards the Arfon or Northern Division, there is no indication of any opposition to Mr Rathbone, who, it is taken for granted, will select that as his constituency. Both the Hon. Douglas Pennant and Colonel Platt are spoken of as likely Conserva- tive candidates, but they evince a modesty, which, under the circumstance, is very pardonable. Why should either lead a forlorn hope ? As to the Borollghs-in the event of a vacancy— the name which comes to the front is that of Mr John Roberts, Bangor, who behaved Nitli such remarkable and commendable loyaltv to partv in the Jones-Parry—Sorton-Parry difficulty. But although Bangor Liberals would spare no effort to give parliamentary honours to a citizen of whom they are proud, there comes a rumour that Carnar- von will not look favourably upon the cai lidatai-e of Mr John Roberts. And the reason assigned is, because he advocated the claims of Bangor to have the University College for North Wales as against Carnarvon. But those carping against his claims and prospective candidature on this score should remember that to his advocacy is indebted the College being in Carnarvonshire and that Fliutshire, Denbighshire, Merioneth- shire did not secure it. There is a good deal of dissatisfaction as to the delay in the introduction of the Intermediate Education Bill for Wales. Mr Mundella hinted at the opening of the North Wales College- some six months back—the fault was not on his part. Resolutions urging expedition on the part of the Government have been passed by many public bodies; but to the Bethesda Liberal As- sociation is due the credit of having, as a politi- cal organisation, taken steps to give further force to the opinion of Welshmen on this im- portant question.

OUR LONDON LETTER. FBY OUU OWN CORRESPONDENT]. LONDON, WEDNESDAY NIGIIT. The Speaker and the Press—Brilliant victory of the journalists—New rules regarding admission of strangers—Sir Edward Heed's maiden novel—Mass Meeting of the unemployed—The Camhro-Briton Society—Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday. The journalists have scored a brilliant victory. Mr Speaker has withdrawn the ridiculous set of rules which were meant to check those Pressmen, who had a partiality for dynamite, from blowing themselves up. The attitude of the speaker towards the Press is a problem difficult to solve. He sent forth his edict that the gallery men were henceforth to be excluded from number eighteen" and from the lobbies leading from House to House, and that Lobbyists were to be excluded from using the subway. But when these gentlemen grumbled and threatened, the Speaker withdrew these formidable rules, one and all. The privileges of journalists are to con- tinue exactly what they were. But whilst the action of the Speaker in this matter is problem- atical, there exists no uncertainty as to the posi- tion he occupies to-day; it is that of complete and bitter humiliation. His little game, how- ever, has done some amount of good. For one, thing, it has served to create a spirit of union between working journalists; it has brought to- gether reporters, London correspondents, editors, leader-writers, and newspapers proprietors all these have one aim to secure, and they band to- gether, shoulder to shoulder, until they succeed. Even should this cordiality only last for a limited period of time, it cannot have but a beneficial in- fluence. The action of the Speaker has, too, brought into agreeable prominence the immense power wielded by the Press. The Speaker is suddenly seized with a fit of the arbitrary, and while under the influence of that issues a set of stringent regulations against the Press. The Press scowls, and immediately the honourable gentleman becomes lamblike once more; like a whimpering schoolboy he mutters apologies and says he meant nothing. The journalists demand the withdrawal of the rules, and withdrawn they are, item after item. Had not the whole business been so ridiculous and childish, it would have been rare fun. It is all over now; but the journalists, I guess, will have a grudge against the Speaker for many a' day the.feeling against him in the Anderton's Hotel meeting on Tuesday, was most intense, and though the return of deputation after deputation reported concession after con- cession, until at last the victory was complete, yet his very attempt to insult the Press had aroused such keen indignation that it was not by any means allayed, and will not be, I am afraid, for a very long time. The new rules regarding the admission of strangers will remain, of course, undisturbed. But the strangers need not be alarmed for the greater part of the humbug in this case will fall to the •hare of members It* they choose to stand it, all well and good; if they do not, why, the remedy is in their own hands. But a fight between the Speaker and the members would not be dull sport. It would be interesting to sei whether the Speaker would submit to the members a readily and as tamely as he has submitted to the journalists. It is not very easy to explain why Sir Edward Reed should have called his new tale "Fort Minster, M.P. seeing that the gentleman who bears that name oscupies but a most unimportint position in the plot. In the opening paragraph, Mr J. Fort Minster, M.P. for the Borough of Drayford, is "struck down in the night by the hand of an tssassin;" he is taken to the Westminster Hospital, where the author very cruelly keeps him lingering between life and death until the last page but one. An occasional bulletin is graciously issued as to the condition of the distinguished in- nlil; thus, on page 146, we are told that he is still balanced on the very edge of the other world." At last, however, Mr Fort Minster does a very useful thing by escaping from the jaws of death and getting married. The whole book is, of course, a chronicle of how the" assassin" was caught, a chronicle of a long series of stupidities and absurdities. Some fiequenter of the Lobby, who is here simply called "Mr conceives that it is his mission to bring the would-be murderer to justice but, Mr -is a most inca- pable fellow, and could never have succeeded in his self-appointed task. He seeks the advice and help or a friend, Mr Strange, who gives promise of being a sharp detective. Mr Strange, however, falls in love with a handsome young widow, and this agreeable diversion hinders him very materially in the prosecution of his philanthropic labours. The two amateur detectives suspect a triplet of rough, disagreeable, dissolute fellows, one of 11 whom hIs a sister, Alice Watermark, perhaps the only interesting character in the novel. After tumbling about and around these three ugly cus- tomers for a long time, the Herculean labours of Messrs and Strange are brought to a sud- den termination by the evidence of two men, one a suspected Irish M.P called Kilmaine, and the other a member of Inspector Denning's force but how this evidence was not forthcoming for such a long while is absolutely inconceivable. Space forbids my going over the whole story, and I will merely say that the Scotland-yard officers succeed at last in collaring the right man, that the widow succeeds in collaring Mr Strange, that Mr Fort Minster gets out of the hospital tit go 4witli Alice Watermark to church, and that Mr like the stupid fellow he is, neither suc- ceeds in catching the culprit nor a wife. Sir Edward's style is everything it ought not to be in a work of this kind it is elaborate without being majestic or strong the reader continu- ally fancies he is perusing some erudite contribu- tion to the Times newspaper. I hasten to make a further remark. To the reader of Fort Minster, M.P. it is very evi- dent that the author has not selected the subject in the treatment of which his talents could be turned to the best account. The stupidities of life are not lovely nor can they ever be made interesting to read. It is the beautiful in life that has a claim, tu by recorded, in books, to be painted either by brush or pen. Sir Edward Reed has given, even in the novel under notice, abundant indications of his ability to portray the beautiful and lovely. That lie Xshould devote his energy to write huat such sorry scamps as Wat-rniark r-nd his asso- ciates is a grievous mistake, and a ;• re at 10: to the reading public. Alice Watermark and Fort Minster are really fine characters, and the few pages devoted to them remind one strongly of Charlotte Bronte; of them, however, we hear but little, provokingly little. I would beg of Sir Edward to produce for our delight work of a su- perior order to Fort Minster, M.P. tell us, in the future, more about Alice Watermark than of her brother George, more of Fort Minster than of his would-be assassin, Calver, and more of lvilmaiue than of N oke; In this novel, he has condescended to do work entirely below him; let him, then, ascend to that sphere which is proper to him, and in which he evidently delights. The highest com- pliment one can pay to Sir Edward is to say that Fort Minster, M.P. is unworthy of him. On Monday afternoon, at two o'clock, a vast throng of the unemployed of London assembled together in the neighbourhood of Cleopatra's Needle on the Victoria Embankment, whence, led by a band, they marched through Whitehall to the Local Government Board Offices. There, a depu- tation, consisting of Mr Hyndman and other gentle- men, waited upon Mr Russell. For the red flags of the procession, Mr Russell substituted red tape, yards upon yards of which he exhibited to his visitors, greatly to their chagrin. Mr Hyndman and his friends demanded, in the name of distress, that the Government should provide the unemployed with work, both by curtailing the hours of public and private works now carried on, and by starting numerous much-needed public improvements, such as the erecting of embankments, baths, wash- houses, and workingmen's dwellings. Mr Russell fell back, not without cleverness, upon political economy and officialism; after declaring his answers to be totally uus vtisi'actory, the Idepu- tation withdrew, and returned in procession to Cleo- patra's Needle, the multitude, in the interval, having been edified by speeches delivered from several improvised platforms. When the Needle was considerably younger, the crics it heard were different to those of last Monday. The Israelites complained of too much work the unemployed of London complain of too little. The Cambro-Briton Society does not seem to thrive as vigorously as was at first expected. The number of members enrolled is but small, and the half guineas are very slow in reaching the treasurer. On the other hand, it is alleged that the papers and discussions are neither so brilliant nor so edifying as might be desired. Possibly, affairs will improve before long; at any rate, the perseverance and determination of the faithful few would seem to argue that a good foundation has been laid, and that the super-structure will follow in the course of tune. Meanwhile, the members intend cheering themselves up on the second of March with a six- and-sixpenny dinner. Shrove Tuesday was a damp and dismal day. So thick was the fog in the morning that gas had to be lit. To-day, however, we have been blessed with most beautiful weather the overhanging cloud of smoke has been good enough to take itself away, and the sunshine is sublime. As is customary on Ash Wednesdays, all the theatres and places of amusement are closed. BAXGOR CATHEDRAL. — Saturday, o p.m., service, Walmisley in D Minor anthem, "Come and let us return" (Goss). Sunday, 8 a.m., Litany and Holy Communion; 10-30 a.m., service, Attwood in C: anthem, All ye who weep (Gounod). Preacher the Canon in Residence (John Pryce). 4 p.m., Service, Ouseley in E; anthem, "By the waters of Babylon" (Boyce). Preacher, The Very Reverend the Dean. THE members of the Bangor Gymnastic Society purpose giving a Miscellaneous Eltertainment at the Penrhyn Hall, Bangor (the Gymnasium), on Tues ay evening, the 10th March—combining a display of Simple Gymnastics with a Vocal and Instrumental programme—in aid of the funds of the Society. THE Rev. Frederick Payne, superintendent of the Xortl1 AVales Coast W eslcyan Mission, has contributed towards the erection of a new Wesleyan chapel and manse at Colwyn Bay, at a cost of £ 13,000. CARNARVONSHIRE LICENSED VICTUALLERS' Asso- CIATION.—A meeting of this association was held at Bangor on Saturday. Mr W. Hamer, Queen's Hotel, Carnarvon, was appointed secretary in succession to Mr H. Harwood, who has resigned. Mr Towers, Rail- way Hotel, Bangor, was elected chairman, and Mr Lawless vice-chairman. The chairman and secretary were appointed to audit the accounts. A shocking accident occurred at the Plaskynaston Colleries, Ruabon, at noon on Monday. A boy named Mark Davies, who was employed on the pit bank to put the trams on to the cage to descend the mine, by some means pushed a small waggon into the pit, and fell with it to the bottom, a distance of 500 feet, and was literally shattered to pieces. The body was picked up terribly mutilated. MR W. GRIFFITHS, professor of music at Dr. Williams's school, Dolgelley, has been appointed organist of St. Mary's Parish Church, Dolgelley, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of Mr Crossley. PORT DINORWIC SJIIPPIN-G,—Arrived. —Pearl, Lewis; Ann Jones, Jones; Faith, Evaas; Mary Rowlands, Parry Falcon, Williams Lyon, Hughes Margaret, Roberts; Ocean Bell, Williams; Emily and Louisa, Jones; Crystal Spring, Edwards Margaret, Thomas. Sailed,- V enorable, Jones, for Middlesboro tigh Dora, Roose, Liverpool; Percy, Plumpton, Sankey Bridges John James, Clayton, Macduff; Morning Star, Thomas, Hamburgh Gilbert Greenall, Williams, Runcorn Mariner, Jones, Glasgow. THE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF NORTH WALES.— Mr Henry W. Gair (Messrs. Rathbone Bros. and Co.), Liverpool, has just contributed J100 to the funds of this institution. CIN-11, SERVICE.—Mr T. W. Davies, Llangefni dis- trict, Bangor, to Conway district, Bangor; Mr A. Purdon, Saffron Walden district, Cambridge, to Llall- gefni district. MKN-AI SOCIETY.—Mr W. H. Jones, on Wednesday, delivered a lecture to this Society on An introduc- tion to the Mythological and Traditional History of \Vales." J Mit STUART KEVDEL, M.P. for Montgomeryshire, is lying ill at his country seat, Plas Dinam, Montgomery, and his medic tl adviser states that he will be unable to leave his room for some days. A GAUKKKEPKR SHOT XEAB CARNARVON.—The gamekeeper in the employment of Mr Jones-Parry, M.P., Madryn Hall, Carnarvon, was accidentally shot (lea-I on Wednesday. A gun not having gone off, the keeper took to drawing the charge, which exploded and penetrated the chin of Hughes, and out through the upper paat of the cranium. Death was instan- taneous. TABERNACLE (BA\UOR) LITERARY SOCIETY.—At Wednesday evening's meeting, Owain Arvon read a paper on Gold and Silver." Tun WELSH NATIONAL SOCIETY UOR Lii-Eitpoo.i, A public dinner, under the auspices of this newly- formed society, will be held at the City Hall, Liverpool, on the eve of St. David's Day, Saturday, 28th inst. The number of tickets issued being limited, early ap- plication for them is necessary in order to prevent disappointment. Among those who have joined the society within the last few days are Mr John Roberts, M.P., Air W. Rathbone, M.P., Mr John I I tiglies, INIR W, A Darbishire, Mr T. H. Sheen, and Captain Verney, R.N. THE CALVINISTIC METHODISTS OF ARVON AND INTER- MEDIATE EDUCATION IN WALES.—At the monthly meeting of the Methodists of Arvon, held at Penygroes, near Car- narvon, on the 16th instant, the Rov. W. Ryle Davies, of Waenfawr, in the chair, the following resolution was unanimously passed :—"That the Calvinistic Methodist Churches of Arvon, in monthly meeting assembled, beg respectfully to urge on her Majesty's Government, the pressing necessity for the immediate introduction of the long-promised measure relating to Internieniate Educa- tion in Wales, and also to point out the inconvenience and grievous injury inflicted upon the University Colleges en- dowed by the Government, as well as upon the people of Wales generally, through the delay in establishing an adequate number of efficient intermediate schools governed by representative bodies, and closely connected, on the one hand, with the Elementary Schools, and, on the other hand, with the University C,)Ilo-,es.Th tt a copy of the above resolution be forwarded to the Prime Minister, the Lord President and Vice-President of th e Council, the Marquis of Salisbury, Sir Stafford North- cote, and the members of Parliament for the county and boroughs of Carnarvon, in the hope that a deter mined and successful effort will be made in the approach- ing session of Parliament to fulfil the long-cherished aspirations of the Welsh people in the matter of educa- tion. FRUIT FOR DESSERT.-Birkett's Stores have now received the bulk of their Christmas Fruit. They wish to draw attentioa to its superior quality.

LOSS OF THREE LIVES AT ABERSOCH LEAD MINES. A sad accident took place at Mr Gundry's lead mines, Abersoch, near Pwllheli, on Tuesday eve- ning. The works were not fully in operation, and one of the two principal shafts was sub- merged. Three men descended the new shaft in course of the day, and went to the bottom—a distance from the top of about 35 fathoms. Shortly before giving up work for the day, a great rush of water was seen coming from the direc- tion of the disused shaft by the men. who made for the opening of the new shaft. They had not proceeded far when the water overcame them, and they were all drowned before any means of escape could be brought them. The shaft was soon filled with water. The bodies cannot be recovered for about five or six weeks, as there are no pumping engines of sufficient power on the works to remove the water from the mine in less time. The names of the men were William Ellis, Abersoch, who has left a wife and three children; Owen Jones, a wife and five children; and J (jlm Davies, a wife and five children.

THE PRESS AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. The Speaker has consented to such arrangements for the convenience of the representatives of the Press at the Honse of Commous as will remove their princi- pal causes of dissatisfaction with the proposed new regulations. On Tuesday afternoon a deputation of the journalists who frequent the Parliamentary lobby had an interview with the right hon. gentleman, and they were followed by a deputation from the reporters' gillery. Both deputations were received with the utmost courtsey by the Speaker, who entirely repudi- ated any desire or willingness to cause discomfort, annoyance, or unnecessary trouble to the reporters in the discharge of their onerous and responsible duties. After considering the representations made to him, the right hon. gentleman stated that one representa- tive of each influential morning paper, as well as of the news agencies and of the London evening papers, would be placed on his special list, in order to have free access to the members' lobby, that the reporters would be allowed to retain the use of the com nittee- rooai No. 18 as supplementary accommodation for transcribing their shorthand notes, and that reporters having gallery tickets might use the corridor in pass- ing from the House of Commons to the House of Lords, or vice versa, whilst both houses were sitting. The result of the interview was in the evening re- ported by the deputations to a well-attended meeting of journalists, held at Anderton's Hotel, London and gave much satisfaction.

SUPPOSED MURDER AT CHESTER. On Tuesday :lrl'rnoon, the body of a man named William Norris was taken out of the Chester Canal. It appears he Inl been missing from his home since Saturday morning, and in consequence of this informa- tion was given to the Chester police. On Wednesday, at the City Police Court, two women of ill-repute, and whose names are Elizabeth Davies and Mary Jane Lord, were brought up in custody, before the Mayor (Alderman C. Brown) and other magistrates. It is expected that the prisoners will be charged with the murder of Norris. The Chief Constable stated that he would be obliged to ask for a remand. In the present case, an elderly man named William Norrs, who had been employed at the lead works, and resided at 24, Henry-street, Chester, left his work as usual on Satur- day, and never reached home on Saturday niht or Sunday. On Monday, a report was made to the effect that he was missing, and on Tuesday he was taken out of the Shropshire Union Canal, near Cow-lane Bridge. 0.1 Tuesday night, in consequence of a statement made by a man named James Rogers, the two prisoners were arrested pending the result of the inquest on the body. Rogers would say that deceased was drunk in Frodsham- street on Saturday night, when prisoners took hi-n along the canal side. Rogers followed, and heard one of the females shriek. He afterwards heard the man say something, and this was followed with a loud splash in the water. The prisoners were afterwards observed running away along the towing-path, and Rogers called out, What is the matter ?" One of the prisoners ie replied that someone was throwing stones, but Rogers would depose that the splash was a much heavier one than that which would have been caused by a stone. The prisoners were remanded.

MESSRS DAVIES AND THE MENAI BRIDGE LOCAL BOARD. The following letter has been sent to the Menai Bridge Local Board respecting the question which was the subject of a long discussion at a special meeting of the Board last week :— Menai Bridge, 18th February, 1885. Dear Sir,—Referring to my letter of the 16th inst., I am instructed to state that soon after the Messrs Davies began business at the Bridge, they were in- formed that the common lands known as Bone Packet, Bone Daniel, and Bone Beggi belonged to the Woods and Forests. They therefore applied for a lease of them, and after some correspondence they accepted the conditions and enclosed Bone Daniel, and went to great expense in blasting the rock to enable them to I erect quays and buildings thereon subsequently they enclosed Bone Beggi. After many years waiting, the lease for which they had arranged not being forthcoming, and no demand having been made for rents, they found that the land they had enclosed did not belong to the Woods and Forests. In 1879, the parishioners of Llandysilio determined to obtain an Act of Parliament to enable them to sell the land allotted from the common for the holding of fairs, and the Messrs Davies agreed, through their solicitor, Mr Barber, to allow them to include Bone Daniel and Bone Beggie in their proposed act, inserting a clause in the act that they, the Messrs Davies, were to have a lease for a term of years at a certain rent, in consideration of the great expense they had incurred. But the solicitor acting for the Woods and Forests would not allow the bill to pass including Bone Daniel and Bone Beggi, as be asserted a claim to them. The promoters, rather than lose their bill, abandoned the clauses relating to Bone Daniel and Bone Begi, thereby withdrawing entirely from the agreement entered into with Mr Barber, the Messrs Davies' solicitor, and the Messrs Davies paid the solicitor acting for the pro- moters, the extra expense he had incurred in respect of the abandoned clauses. The Messrs Davies are anxious to carry out the arrangement come to with the promoters of the bill, and if the Board is able and willing to accept the land, and to guarantee a lease on the terms so previously arranged, the Messrs Davies will co-operate as far as they can, and will be glad if the Board will instruct their solicitor to communicate with the Messrs Da vies solicitor, Mr Roberts of Bangor, in order to have the matter legally completed.—Yours faithfully, (Signed) R. C. JONES. To the Clerk of the Menai Bridge Local Board.

pirtv,$, ^Jdrragcfi, ditir fJ tatg$. BIRTH. WILLI viis.Tinuary 20, at the Station House, Gaer- wen, the wife of Mr W. H. Williams, station mas- ter, of a son. MARRIAGES. BLICK VALL.iCE At Princes-road Presbyterian Church, Upper Bangor, on the 18th inst., by the Rev. John Williams, Tabernacle, Mr John Black, Manchester, to Maggie Vallanee, Penrallt Villas. EVANS—WILKINS—Feb. 17, at St. Mary's, Liverpool, by the Rev. J. Turnbull, R. Meredydd Evans, of Tref Llauwyd, North Wales, to Lottie Butler Wil- kins, third daughter of Butler Wilkins, Esq., Yeru- lam House, Northampton. LEWIS—WILLIAMS—Feb. 17, at St. Micliael's-in-the Hamlet, by the Rev. J. R. Eyre, M. A., Rural Dean, Owen Lewis, of Cemaes, Anglesey, to Annie Wil- liams, youngest daughter of the late Capt. J. Wil- liams, of Amlwch. DEATHS. JONES.—Feb. 14, at his residence, Waterside, Holy- head, aged 61 years, Mr Joseph Jones, smith. JONES.-Fcbruary 15th, at Erw Fair-terrace, Bangor, Mrs Jones, widow of the late Capt. Jones ("' Glan- ogwen "). Highly respected and deeply regretted.

PWLLHELI. PETTY SESSIONS.—William Trevor Jones, union collector, summoned John T. Evans, sailor, Aberdaron, for the non-payment of £6 Is 6d, which was demanded from him by the Board of Guardians, towards the maintenance of his parents. The money had been accumulating for over two years. The defence was that Evans did already contribute towards his parents' keep, and that he had sp ;tit £ûO in trying to get back the lost sight of his blind father. The Bench made an order for payment. J

THE WAR IN THE SOUDAN. NEW YOIK, WEDNESDAY.—The World announ- ces that it has ascertained from a secret but a reliable source that certain individuals skilled in the use of explosives have left Paris for the Soudan, in order to assist the Mahdi. These persons, adds the journal, who have seen military se-rice, will instruct the in the art of wat f ii e.

EXTRAO RDIN AR Y STATE MEN T. A correspondent of the Daily News writes :— rfie way in which Press messages from the seat of war have been" edited by the authorities on the spot tends possibly to the fact, widely rumoured in well-informed quarters at the present moment, that the whole text of General Gordon's last message was not officially made public in England. The message as published was "Khartoum all right; can hold out for years." It is now said that these words were preceded by—" What are you coming for ? I have not asked for you." A Standard Korti telegram says:- Another messenger has arrived from Khartoum. He says that the troops Geneaal Gordon raised would have always remained true to him, but that it was the regular troops who allowed Farag Pasha to open the gate. The Turkish Bashi-Bazouks fired upon the jtraitors. After Khartoum was occupied all these Bashi-Bazouks were killed. THE Press Association has been furnished with the translation of a document drawn up in Arabic by an emissary of the Mahdi, at present residing in England. The writer says it has been very generally asserted that England could not possibly negotiate with the Mahdi, the latter being, from the nature of his calling, precluded from any such negotiations. The contrary, how- ever, is the case. for the Mahdi is bound to follow in the footsteps of the Prophet, and it is well- known that the Prophet entered into pacific negotiations with the idolatrous Korcysh. who did not even worship the Creator. The Mahdi made a treaty of peace with the Christians of Neii-itli, and subsequently several of the caliphs made treaties with the Christian Powers. It was impossible, therefore, for the Mahdi to refuse a peace which is to put an end to blood- shed, provided that such a peace should benefit the Moslems. His mission is to spread civilisation in the Moslem world, and not ruin and destruction. The notion that the Mahdi is an ignorant barbarian, with wlio n to be at peace is impossible, is contested, for it is as- serted a man who has alone united so many different tribes, and maintained the de- fence of his religion and the freedom of his native land, in virtue of the Mahdian mission, cannot be called either barbarian or ignorant. The writer, in conclusion appeals to the British nation not to drive all Moslems to a general rising.

TERRIBLE RAILWAY ACCIDENT. At ten o'clock on Tuesday night, a terrible accident occurred at Whalley Bridge, on the London and North Western Railway. Whilst a goods train for Widnes was crossing a high bridge the engine left the metals and was thrown into the street. The driver. Robert Bagshawe, and William Moore were killed. The stoker escaped by jumping from the engine. The engine and tender were smashed and the perma- nent way torn up.

lity unconnected with education are prepared to resist to their utmost any attempt which may be made to cripple the power of the old foun- dation schools, which have borne the heat and burden of,Educational work in the past, and which in the opinion of many, have never been in a more efficient condition than they are at present. There were four formal resolutions passed. (1). That it is desirable that a Conference of the head masters of the endowed grammar and proprietary schools in Wales should be held periodically. (2). That a committee be appointed to watch the progress of the Intermediate Education Bill for Wales. (3). That it is most desirable in the inte- rests not only of the State-aided Welsh univer- sity colleges, but also of Welsh Intermediate Education, that there shouli be at each such University college, first, a definite limit of age below which students should not be admitted, and that such limit (to be rigidly observed in all cases) be not less than 17 years secondly, such an entrance examination as would effectually Protect such colleges from the necessity of un- dertaking elementary instruction, which was not presumably contemplated by the Govern- ment in the endowment of the aforesaid Col- ^ege8, and which could be better imparted at any well-regulated intermediate school. That in the opinion of this meeting indiscriminate admission of students to the aforesaid Colleges, while injurious to the discipline and to the teaching of the colleges themselves, has a ten- dency to lower the standard of education in the Principality. The fourth resolution simply intimates that a copy of No. 8 should be forwarded to Mr ■^undella and others. Upon this summary of the transactions of the Conference we wish to make a few observa- tions. Here we have the sounding of the first o note of alarm in opposition to the forthcoming In termediate Education Bill. We are told that any attempt made to cripple the power of the old foundation schools will be resisted to the utmost. Now the promoters of the new Bill ave no such desire as that we may safely affirm, but a desire to extend and magnify that I Power. There will in all probability be some rt-form introduced into the management of the o old Grammar Schools; their endowments may Possibly be rearranged in some way or other so as to promote the national welfare but this willllolJ of necessity involve the "crippling of the power "of such institutions. But there is a danger lest, if any attempt should be made, as there probably will, to interefere with the en- dowments of these schools, that an outcry will be raised that the power of these institutions is being crippled. The echo from Shrewsbury Seeiiis to sound like" hands off I" We do not wish to say one imitating word upon this 0 Question at the present moment, but it must be understood, and these head masters must now it, that the management of their schools ls not likely to remain unreformed in this new Movement. It is well known that the endow- j^ents of many, if not all, of these schools have enefited but a small number of the children of the Welsh people. The small measure of reform introduced in recent years in the shape I I a of popularizing the managing bodies has done 1:1 1:1 a vast amount of good, and a further extension of the same kind of reform will bring about results yet more beneficial. Is it too rruch to hope that the head masters of these schools have a little patriotism in their onstitutions, and that both they and those gen- emen unconnected with education, who, ac- cording to the report, are to be the champions ol e nghts of the oppressed, should there be any presiOll, is it tou much to expect, we ask, that 6entlemen should think of the we.fare of ue who! se people before that of any particular We'tl0U' We do not think it is; and we trust of them taking a broad and liberal view CQu things at this important juncture of their facj|. ^s history. They have the power ot v ltatiug the introduction of the new era to a y Considerable extent, there can be no doubt °ut > but if they take upon themselves to ref '^e'r Power and influence to resist reasonable del 'nS' ^ley inay cailse some irritation and gr. an<^ instead of earning for themselves the Uude of the nation will acquire the unenviable 'stiucti0n of having attempted to thwart the Kress of a movement which is national, praise- \\olthy and sure of gnding in success. /;) On the other hand, the promoters of this new Iriteriiiedittte Education Bill must not go on ignor- 111(f u n he existence of these schools, as has been too Uttch the custom during recent months. One Qlloht suppose from the speeches delivered up and down the country that there was not a single school of any merit whatever between the Ele- mentary Class and the University Colleges. Th nere is a large number of very efficient schools already existing of an advanced type, some en- dowed, and others of the private adventure type. They are taught by masters as efficient as any at are likely to be appointed under the Govern- tnent scheme, and the results produced are credi- ble to all concerned. We do not say that their jnciency cannot be improved, or that the Qvantages attaching to them cannot be brought m°re within the reach of the mass of the people, utto go on ignoring them, if not despising them, ^.a policy to be deprecated on all grounds. !?1Ve honour to whom honour is due recognise 116 value jf what already exists let the agencies hich have been at work hitherto, although ^Perfect, be duly considered, and the contem- plated reforms will be brought about by a good S^l less friction than will otherwise be the case. 1'0 despise the day of small things to look with c°ntempt upon the smaller blessings we have enjoyed for so long a time, the moment the larger ones are expected to appearjupon the horizon, is worthy of sensible men. The pith of the third resolution is a complaint of, and protest against, the admission of unpre- pared youths to the University Colleges. It is urged upon the Councils of the Colleges that no student should be admitted under the age of 17, and that this rule should be strictly adhered to; and further, that there should be such an admission 1 examination as will effectually exclude candidates whose attainments are not such as to justify their admission. Whether the age should be sixteen or seventeen, is not a matter of very much im- portance. We believe sixteen is the limit in the North Wales College. It is a mutter of supreme importance, however, that raw youths should not be allowed to enter these institutions. To admit them would be a double evil, as is pointed out in the resolution referred to. It would injure the grammar schools, and lower the tone d the Col- leges, and hence of education generally through- out the Principality. It is not a sufficient excuse to say that we must not be too particular at the beginning, in order to draw students. The Colleges will certainly degenerate into second grade schools in this way. It is better that the number should be smaller and more select, that is, select as far as attainments go, than that the number should be large and ill-pre- pared. Principal Reichel said the other day in Liverpool that he was determined that the institution at Bangor should maintain its status as a University College. We hope to find him acting upon this principle throughout, but how it is to be done without a stringent admission test we do not know. If report speaks truly, there are students at some of these Colleges now who, if transferred to one of our grammar schools, would probably find themselves located not very far from the first form and we do not see how this is to be obviated without some better test of a man's attainments when he presents himself than shaking his hand and asking How d'ye do ?" This presentment on the part of the Shrewsbury Conference we look upon as a reasonable one, and trust it will receive the consideration it deserves. We hope also to see the head masters of all intermediate schools working harmoniously in conjunction with the Colleges, and that, if any of tlum feel indisposed to be shaken out of the grooves with which time and usage have made them familiar, we trust they will take their shaking with as good a grace as possible.