The Carmarthen Weekly Reporter

IjOCAL INTELLIGENCE. Tiu. CARMARTHLKSMIKE FOXHOUNds will meet on Tuesday, January 4th. at Plas Pant lioel and on Friday, January 7th, at Shopnewydd each da!orp10KiTCHENThe Mayor (Mr H Whit begs to acknowledge the receipt ot irom Mr Arthur Lewis, reoorder, for the above fund. SUCCESS.—At Llanelly Eisteddfod, held on Boxin Day, Mr Archie J. Hodges, Francis- terrac Carmarthen, won the first prize in the IWi-h recitation competition, entitled YVoleey s Ir S Wvm There HIe vix competitors, and the adjudicator, in giving S award. mentioned the vast difference in he leodering. His recitation was by far away the Ct, and the adjudicator had no trouble in coming jto jv d vision as to awarding the premier °our- CHKWIMAS DECORATION AT ST. PETE* » CHURCH. —One of the most regular attendants at the aexvica of the above Chuicft for more *han 40 jears pal, remark" "I have never seen the Church decorated in such a way. at Christcalls, iii my lifetime." It ia doubtful whether the old Church has been decorated in such a small and paltry aumuei for the last 100 years or so. Considering cue V Icar asked from the pulpit that the members of th« congregation to attend a meeting to arrange 0 for the decoration of the Church this looks strange- Why this stiff-neckednesa r Carmabtukmahire Im'jrmar\The Secretary (Kr Howell Ho walls) begs respectfully to acknow- ledge receipt of the following :-A paper pillow from Miss David, Laugllgrine toys from Ir8 BEirker. ltn Lodge; plpers f.om Mrs Thomas, Castle Hill Ilouse clothing, fruIt and toys from lembers of the St. David's Branch ot the Girls 'riendly Society papers, nicturev,ra"sn bo<*8, com Mr Carpenter p8per8 from -Mr Sp,Urrell ruit f*ODa Jphn Miller, parade j 2 lbs of oneV, from Mr Nicholas, Penyc/oed, Tlr„D„, LaMMAS-stiiBBT CHAPEL LLNr SocnrrY.-The foarth of a 8ef lhble lasses, in connection with tho above So^ety. was eld ia ^be vestry adjoining the schoolro S*l, on Monday cv,nl„s. »e«i»b" here was not a larg0 at'-end;ince, °AV "fn,.nt 0f clemency of the wither, and also on aC being a bank hoiij ,jy the ma,j«rlty nastor ^etobers were away, J ht? D Evai!1,^ p as the teacher. questions a rfjhg preceding class were answered by those present, which were found to be correct, A.fl{.'r Tealling a portion of the 3,d chapter of Exodu?, ik" !^r iave nut s. number of que5tlons bearing 0 chapter, to be answered next B.ble class. x ext week a paper will ba rpad. DEATH OF Alit DAVIS !,¡"OYD SA^EI- VE sincerely regret to record tht death of Mr V1^| Lloyd Samuel- son of Mr Di"d Satnael, gr°ce.r a". baker, Lammas-street, which to»k place nw home on Christmas afternoon. The deceased, who was 23 years of age, had been for sercn years a clerk with Mr Kowland Browne.^suli,.jfcor( cirinar- then, but twa years ago he lef' C*rrnatthcn to UD a situation with Mr Druul. Chustcliurch, as ir was thought the y. aricer c/itBate of the Soutn £ >f England would tend to aiBPHorate the weakness the lungs from which he ^'as suffering. shortly afterwards removed to Bouti*emoath but £ iis complaint grew rapidly w->rS3 > and a subsec, uent course of the medical treatment in London only tended to shghfly lengthen but to not save his He came home a few month* ego; gank peacciuliy to ron Saturday last He was a faith- ful member of Union-street Independent Church; and a general favourite wi'h all who kr¡.ew him- His untimely death will be a cause of genuine Borrow to all who were acquainted with hitn. The funeral took place at Union-street on Thursdi)'* The greatest f-ympathy is felt with the parents and the other members of the family in their great affliction. Q TAKERXACLE, CARMARTHEN.—The usual New Year's concert will be held hera on Saturday evening. THE death is announced of Mrs Anne Armstrong, of Shepheard Hill. Miltown Malbay, county Clare. She was probably the oldest woman r he world. She was born in 1781. and had .nost completed her 117th year. INFIHM "RY BALL.—We would call the attention of our readers to the advertisement in another column of the calico balls in Carmarthen with the Carmar- thenshire Infirmary which are to take pluce on the 12th and l:;th pi ox. Tho Infirmary Committee will shortly have to spend a large sum on sanitary and other improvements, so that the cause is a most deserving one. A BIt LANDSLIP.—It was discovered at 8.30 p.m. on Wednesday that a landslip had occurred on the north side of the PeDcader tunntl, with the result that the permanent way was blocked by about 300 tons of earth. About 70 men were got to work and the road was clear for the mail," which left Carmarthen about (3 a.m. on Thursday. THE "BOGUS LODGER" AT CARMARTHEN.— The "bogus lodger "-about whom so much has been heard in Cardiff-appeared at Carmarthen on Wednesday night last week. He took lodgings with Mrs Evans, 3, Biidge-street; and^-ag in his wont-got up next morning to see if his luggage had come." The luggage had not come but it soon transpired that a suit of clothes, a silver watch and chain, a silk handkerchief, and a purae had gone. P.S. Thomas got on his track, but that evening the lodger-who was Ernest Chappel in Carmarthen, and Henry Stephens or Henry Kichards in other places—had appropriated a watch and chain in Tenby. Things now got hot; and were complicated by the arrival of information from Swansea that this many talented gentleman had cauaed the disappearance of another watch and chain there, the same morning oil which he started for Carmarthen. Every policeman in South Wales was on his track by this time and the lodger was at last run to earth by P S. Parry of the Pembrokeshire Force. The Tenby bench committed him to H. M. lrison for six we^ks in recognition of his exploits at the fashionable watering place. The Carmirtllo-tl and other cases have yet to be disposed of. FLOOD IN THE TO\VI, Ihe week's raiji which has prevailed in the neighbourhood resulted in an unprecedented flood in the Towy on Thursday morning. At daylight the fields on each side of the river were found to resemble a shoreless sea and the flood continued to rise until 11.30 a.m.' unlll comoinea with the tide-which was fortunately a neap-it flooded the Quay from the Forge to the Jubilee Hotel. There was three feet of water on the (uay before uoon and the axles of the wheels of the Boar's Head 'bus were out of sight us the vehicle was driven along. The Jolly Tar was afloat, as well as the Sloop the water reached up to the Trinity Buoy Stores; jind half way up the lane separating tho Quay-street Board School from the Jolly Tar. All the yards were completely flooded. The tall pillars of the bridge were submerged beneath the yellow current; the three arches on the Llangunnor side had disappeared and the four on the Carmarthen side were represented by almo3t imperceptible arches. Pens-irii was unapproachable except in corache and the proposed site of the new G.W.R. Station was partially inundated. The piles of the railway bridge were out of sight; and the water trickled through the foundations of the new sea-wall which tho County Council recently built on the Llangunnor road. The" Sticle" fields, the Tygwyn, the Penymorfa, and the ÐauyrAIlt meadows were converted into lakes; and a new river stretched from the Oil-works to Babell Chapel. People on both sides of the river will have to abandon the use of the bottom storis of their houses for some time to come and altogether we have had a record in the way of floods. TEMPERANCE.—The weekly meeting of the Car- marthen Non-sectarian Total Abstinence Society was held on Sunday evening last at the Water, street Chapel sehoolroom, Mr J amps Phillips, (xlannant-ro;id. in the chair. There, was a large atteii(lance.-The Chairman ir. a few wcll-chosen remarks, regretted very much tne inability of Canon Williams to be preseut th-c e coning, and hoped the day would nut be far away before they would have the privi o, of )1,8wnl?g to t this eminent divine.-Mr Ja ,Cl Parry, pi ma ^-street, was the next speaker, ami-rc-echo;u what the chairman had said aboi s Canon Wi diams. 10 have such persons as Canon Williams if. sympathy with their cause was to hit- Mr Parry) more than the ridicule of the press t icm. He troubled little about the names, such as laadtf.t*, • hot- headed," &c., given to them. as they were úllly. doing their ,uty.Ile -ev gpcei;ct was the oldest abstainer ia the town-Mr NN illiat-- benior, JohjJBiovvn. Afterwards, the -gowned Pe\ Pn-. p Jones, of Fishguard ",1;ract}t\1 tltree I timer, that day, and deii vt» „J aa 'dress to the Methodist Chapel) addressee Vc. raeetin., fit some length. He told them piciniy that it waa the I work cf the rhuroh to put down intemperance, and Jtfyose who called tliemee:es -Imoderrito,s" to corks that were attached lo fishing nets-they kept the tr«da afto^t he. same way as the corks kept the nets atfoat. He said that the lead attached to ntte kept them floating The lead was the poor druuWJ, which was always under water, v-hils, -lie "zcrk-" of the drink traffic was the m- -^ator- who kept it floating.-Nir Wm Dqvies, boof:«eller, Johnstown, closed the meeting b- prr. ar.—The next meeting will be held at -renu," Oha^el schoolroom, Priory. street. CoxxixrrATjON SCHOOL AT (^UAY-STKEET.—in connection with the continuation classes a concert was given at Quay-street Board School on Thursday evening the 23rd inst. The chair was occupied by Mr James John, who made an ideal president and under his chairmanship everything went off most pleasantly. A more suitable chairman it would have been impossible to lisvo had. Before the concert took place, however, tea was supplied to the company. The following ladies presided at the tables -—Miss Thomas, the headmistress, assisted by Miss Lizzie Evans, Bine-street: Miss L A Jones, assistant mistress, assisted by Miss Rosy EvanB Mirs M P Jones, assisted uy Miss Florence Rees, Priory-street; Mrs Scott, lue street, and Mrs Griffiths, Quay-street; Miss Daffy, assisted by Miss Maggie I Evans and Miss Louie Williams; Miss Thomas, 12, Morler-0trcet' by "*1S8 Jones, Water-street, and Miss E Alvira ltobert,B, Spilman. street; Mies Nellie Jones, Blue-street, and Miss Alexy Davidson, Quay-street. The room was tastefully and lavishly decorated by the young men of the evening class, superintended by Mr Owen Heea and FIome Kees, Pnory-street. The platform had teen lent for the occasion by Mr W Joseph, of the Sawmills. f°llowmg excellent Pr°gr»mme was rendered Quartette, Bedd y dyn tJawd''Messrs Rees, Jones, Paviesand Richards 6ong. Meeting of the waters," M^s Mary lobin soug, Gathering up the shells, Misses Evans and Hurley and MeB*8 Vaughanand Evans rccitation, (juilty or not guilty," Miss ih°mas; drill, lufantg; sons Barney* take me home again, Mi88 Nellie Tobin; solo (mouth organ), Mr Owen itees; eon_ rn take you homa again, Kathleen," Mr E^n Hughes; song, '-When you B, «• young, Maseie." Messrs Lane, Hughes, Sullivan, and Misses L Evans and L Williams; soog, Kobin Miss ^eilie Jones selections, Messrs Lees yaoghan aud ThoiPft8 recitation, "A leap for life, Rji8(J Mar E Davies drill, Messrs Vaughans, Lewis, Hopkins, PbMP8- Barnett, Evan., Thomas, Lane. R™ liualies and Williams «r8m- IIliQ, through the Kye>' Miss Louie VVilliams j song, & Utfclo 6Unshine," Miss Lizzie Evans soU(Jr> tl Mis0 Nellie Jones 80IA8T Thomas at homo," Messrs F Yaughan and L Thomas eonp, Al .Q magu r bahan," Miss iJargaretta Griflith8 Bon|f <• Mary of Argyle," Miss Nellie lobin; fiUait „ wla(} fy Nhadau." At the close a cordial vote of thanks was awarded to the cbsirmaa oatl'o moti0n Gf Mr T T Lloyd, of —»«by

Inquest at the Asyluui- Mr Thomas NValters, borough coroner, "eld an inquest at the Cantta, Asyluin o" Ahursday, the 23rd inst., Qn the bc(jy 0f 0 Margaret MathiaS) aged S S, a widow, who was taken there trom the 1,1,lllelly Cottage Hospital on the 21st inst, by the JiatroD of the institution (MissGntfiths) and matron of the Llanelly Workhouse (Mrs Beavan), owing to iiisanity, which followed a strect accident a fortnight ago. It appears that she 1-1 a slipped down when she saw a bicycle ridden by Mr Arthur Samuel; but despite ryniouIS to the contrary, jt waS proved that her fall was in no wiSe tjuc to the gentleman, who was represented by Mr T. J. Winiamg solicitor. Dr. Goodall, m'-dical superin' tendent of the Asylum, deposed that the deceased was received into the institution at 5.45 p.m. on Wednesday, and died at about 10.30 a.m-. on Thursday- There were several bruises abour her body, which, how- ever, were in no way connected with her death. A Post mortem examination, which had been made, showed that death was due to tatty degeneration of the muscles of the walls of the heart. The heart Vas very weak.— tatty degeneration 0f the muscles of the walls Pf the heart- I he heart Vas very weak.— ^'he jUry (of which Mr George Morgan, Albert House, was foreman) returned a I erdict accordingly and exonerated Mr i5aitiuel from olaixie.

I Footba- d. On Ch ristmas !i» ho., Town Club and the Picton 'Tltovslr,' -N,cre' engaged, the latter in the morning "tf^Td the Town in the afternoon. The Rovers were at home to the Village Stars, Pembrey. The grouud was rather hard at the commencement of the game, out thawed towards the close, making the turf greasy. The Rovers, although considerably inferior in physique to their opponents, were by far the better team, and their victory by I three tries to love was well deserved. In the open they did as they pleased with their burly oponents. Sam Thomas and Bob Parry were especially >I< >\< I' notioeable. In the afternoon an immense crowd (for Car- marthen) gathered at the Morgan Arms Field, to witness the encounter betweeu the Town and the Neath Barbarians. The visitors were well represented, but the Town had by no means its full strength, the Captain (S. B. Jame-), A. O. Williams, and several others being absent necessitating the re-arrangement of the team. Despite the greasy state of the turf, a good game was witnessed. Both sides had hard lines in not scoring several times the game eventually ending in a pointless draw. Forward the visitors had a decided pull in the tight scrimmages, butSin the open the homesters were far the smarter. On Boxing morning St. Peter's Institute met and defeated—by a goal to a try-the Llanelly Star- lights, who were billed as the vanquishers of the Moonlights." To beat a team of the calibre of the Starlights is a highly-creditable performance, and although I had not the pleasure of witnessing the game, the victory was, I understand, well earned. The match was played in execrable weather, rain falling throughout the game. The visitors had a good pack, and in this department only did they show any superiority. Had the day been fine, the homesters' third line would, I have no doubt, have givea the vanquishers of the Moonlights a lot of trouble. I cannot refrain from complimenting Mr A Lloyd Davies upon the capable manner in which he carried out th? duties of referee in this as well as in the Town match on Christmas Day. We have at last come upon a referee who thoroughly under- stands the rules and acts with strict impartiality. Mr Davies' services will, I am sure, be much sought after when his capabilities are known. In the afternoon the Town Club.had as opponents St Andrews (Cardiff), who, on Christmas Day, defeated Whitchurch. The wpather was, if any- thing, worse than in the morning, and, in con- sequence, the game resolved itselt into a struggle between the forwards, in which neither side could claim any advantage The spectators were, of course, few, and the loss to the Town < lub, who had to pay a big guarantee, was a serious one. The game itself calls for no special comment. Both sides were evenly matched, and the result was another pointless draw. Mr W J Leakey, of Llanelly, officiated as referee on this occasion, his dpeisions meeting with general approval. The oondnot of some of the visitors during the match is much to be deplored. Fouls were frequenv, whilst several of the homesters were laid out through being charged after parting with the ball, one instance of this sort resulting in the temporary retirement of one of the home forwards. 1*. The,Neath team, on the other hand, were as gentlemanly a lot of fellows as have ever played on the home ground, the game being fought out in the best of spirits. *#* On New Year's Day both the Town and St. Peter's will be engaged, the former with Amman- ford, and the Churchmen with Lampeter Town. I shall be very much surprised if both the home teams do not gain fresh laurels.

Llandilo Water Works. To the Editor of the Carmarthen Weekly Reporter. Sili,- Will you kindly give me a small space in your valuable paper to refer to the water question at Llandilo. Having been a constant attendant of the Liandilo Urban Council meetings since per- mission was given to the public to attend theae meetings, I was rather surpiised in the last meet- ing at a question asked by a member of the Council to the Chairman, respecting the water works. If there is any report of the proceeuings, there are two months gone since the works were commenced. Ttttejreply was in the affirmative. iVo but there is a letter here to recommend to pay the contractor £180, TH" R* me question was put to the 8urreyor, I and his M that there were a quantity of • laid ■ \tø tt N. that is the k of the contractor." I find that t works commenve ubout 40 yards from the epring, w.th a dep cutting from four feet to fifteen feet deep, and about quarter of a mile of 6-inch pipes said and covered, and not one tested. The tank is )h ide by the well, and 110 preparation made to j -!i the pipes to test them, as proposed. To all appearances at present all the 6-inch pipes will be laid and covered before the connections will be made to the spring. How can those pipes be tested after ? I think the ratepayers ought to ljok to this at once, and get an expert, otherwise this new water works will be the same as the old one, which cost the ratepayers hundreds of pounds regularly by not having it done right in the first place. Now is the time for us to get the new water works right before it will be too late. Yours truly, RATEPAYER, [The above letter has been held over a few week.—Ed.]

New Year's Day at Carmarthen. To the Editor 01 the Carmarthen Weekly Reporter. Siit.-At a meeting of the Town Council, held some days ago, it was unanimously agreed that the market be held this week on Friday, Dec. 31st (Saturday being New Year's Day, which has been a holiday in the town since I remember), and issued posters to that elfect. In a few days after this, a few foreigners" went round the town canvassing for names to open their shops on Saturday in contravention to what wa4 passed by the Town Council, a body of men that has the welfare of the town at large, and who has (or ought to have) the contrcl of the town. Lk" a St Peter's Boy and a ratepayer, I protest against the action of these men, in going against the will of the Town Council, a body of men sent to the Council Chamber by the ratepayers. Their action deserves censure, and I trust the Council will, at their next meeting, raise their voices en bloc against these busy-body foreigners." Suppose a private ill our regular army was to go against the wishes of his colonel, what would be the result ? Nothing but extra drill, and I trust these so-called "governing body" of the town will receive the same fate on New Year's Day. Yours, &r\, Carmarthen, Dec. 28th. DANIEL JONES.

Roads at Abergwili. 10 tlte Editor of tne Carmarthen Weekly Reporter. SIR,—With your usual kindness you might perhaps allow me to make a few remarks concerning a portion of a road in the parish of Abergwilly, as I think this is the only effective means of bringing the matter before the notice of the public and the proper authorities. The road which extends from Pencnwc to Black Bush is in a terribly bad condition, as the timber from a large wood has been carted 3-way, and the stones from a quarry have only recently been carted, and fragments ot the latter bestrew the roads, much to the danger of cattle and horses, that have to traverse the same. No doctor would dare travel over it in the daytime, much less during night time. This is a great hardship for those ratepayers who live in that part, and who pay the same amount in rates as those in the lower part of Abergwili parish, where the workmen are constantly working, with very much less need. 1 hanking y0U jn anticipation for letting this appear, Yours respectfully, A RATEPAYER.

G W Y N F E MABWOLAETH.—^Cydymdeimlwn yn fawr a Mr II. Howell, Grwynfe, yr hwn sydd yn awr yn parotoi i'r we»nidogaeth yn ysgol y Gwynfryn, yn ei alar presenol ar ol ei umg hoff chwaer, yr hon fu farw Llun diweddaf yn yr oedran tyner o 24 mlwydd oed, ar 01 hir nychdod. Claddwyd hi dydd Iau canlynol yu medd ei wham yn Jerusalem, Gwynfe, pan 1 gwasanaethwyd yn y ty gan y Parch Watcyn Wyn, ac vn y capel gan y Parch W. Thomas. Brynamman. Gadawodd berthynaeau anyl a cliyfeillion lu i alaru ar ei hoi. Nodded Dtyw fydd ar y perthynasau. CADBUKY'S COCOA i8 absolutely P«RE» without alkali, as in many so-called pure ''cocoas. It has a World-wide reputation as n delicious, strengthening leverage ftftd ft valuable nutritive food* must be pureed unadulterated to ensure the fullest beneficial effects. The Lancet says CADBUKY'Q represents the standard of highest purity."

Pontantwn Notes. Blwyddyn newydd dda i chwi, Mr Golygydd, a holl ddarllenwyr y Reporter. Gobeithio y cawn yn ystod y flwyddyn, yr hon sydd a'i gwawr yn dechreu torri—iechyd, a phob mwyniant i ddarllen yn hwyluB yr amryw ysgrifau sydd yn ymddangos yn wythnosol 0 waith y gohebwyr medrusaf 0 Fon i Fynwy. t Undoubtedly all are aware that competition in nearly everything has gone to a far extent at t' present. In our local Agricultural Shows the different classes are very varied, and the competition in everything of a very keen character, the only genuine qualities being exhibited. The subject chiefly under my notice at present is poultry. Poultry is progressing ot a very rapid rate now-a-days, but the most absurd thing that the Welsh people say respecting fowls is, that they do not pay for keeping. That is the most glaring mistake that I can ever imagine, as I am of the firm opinion that nothing OIl the farmyard returns more to his master than a fowl well fed and looked after. As an instance, I should like any of the readers of this paper to pay a visit to the poultry farm of Messrs Oliver Morgan and Son, The Shop, Pontantwn, where the nicest lofc of poultry in South Wales might be seen. Among the distinct breeds I noticed the famous Black Minorca, Black Spanish, Andalusians, Silver Spangled, Brahmas, Plymouth Hocks, and Indian Game. Throughout the year 1897 the maximum number of fowls laying were 15, 'vhile tae total number of eggs laid were 3,200, the average number monthly being 267. Now will those who say that tile dear little 0 sa fowls do not pay for keeping, kind'y value the diet of those 15 in a year, and also the wor.h of eggs obtained from them, and state afte wards whether the poulterers gain or are at a IOSF R Of course, you must b6 very careful about feeding the fowls pjoperly, as that is a most important point, or else they would undoubtedly ruin anyone. But, where the darkness lies respeccingr-r,: ey farming is to know how to have them to lay regularly every day. but I cannot give that explanation gratis. Therefore, it you want to carry out r-he in, L,uotioti of the following proverb, viz., Be yf' wise as serpents," you must in one way keep fowk

Wealth for Local People. COLD MINER'S BENEFACTIONS. A NATIVE OF LLANGADOCK A copy of the will of the; late Ar Thorn; Thoma,, a native of Llangadock, who for tl last 40 years was engaged in gold minir enterprises in Ballarat, Australia, and wh died on August 26th of this year, has ju reached his native land. He left behin him a fortune of ^33,000 or £ 35,000, whic is to be equally distributed amongst tr children of his two brothers and sister, wh are also dead. The sister was Mrs Elizabet Evans, who died at the age of 39 at Llal gadock, in 1867. Her children are th following, but as two of them are decease their portions will be equally divided betwee the remaining members of the family :-MI John Davies, farmer, Llangadock; Mi Evans, Pontardawe; Mrs Isaac Williams Gwaclod-y-graig, Pontypridd Mrs Morga Davies, Cefn Park, Llansadwrn; Mrs Davil Davies, Llandyrfal, Llangadock Mrs Joshu Evans, Oakfield Cottage, Pontardulais M D. Thomas Evans, farmer, Llangennech; M John Evans, Towy Villa, Llandebie Mis Sarah Evans, Glantowy (deceased); Mrs L Davies, Gowerton; Mr William Evam Glantowy (deceased). The other four- daughters of the late Mr David Thomas Kidwelly, and Mr William Thomas, Llal. gadock, brothers of the deceased—vvtio benefitted to an eq.iv^^>ic.n.fivrth the brot t and sisters mentioned above, are t Anthony, Alorfa House, Kidwelly, and Morgan, Croft Cottage. Kidwelly (sistt J and Mrs William Jones, Lime Cottage, 1, c gaduck, and Mrs John Rees, Gowert (sisters) Mrs John Davits, Liangac1^ oJ f (and no Mrs Evans, Pontardawe, as p prevV>.u>"v announced), and Mrs lie vViQiams. Liantrisant House, Pontypridd wilHreceive an additional £ 250 each. Tht deceased gentleman, who was cxceedingl3 fortunate in his enterprises in Australia, wa" a bachelor.

Nonconformist Statistics for 1897. The Welsh Nonconformist statistics tor 1897 show considerable increase. Apparent- ly, in only one particular, namely, in the membership of the Baptist churches, is there a falling off, the decrease being 92. But in all cases Monmouth is counted as in Wales, and not only are the Welsh churches in England included, but in the case of the Calvinistic Methodists their English churches as well. The Congregationalists have 1,251 churches and mission stations, with a membership of 140,652, an increase of 3,860, with 142,141 adherents, an increase of 5,288. They provide accommodation forq8,161 persons and have property estimated at ZI,335,035, but with debts amounting to 0 £ 206,179. The Calvinistic Methodists have 1,536 places of worship, 147,297 members, an increase of 3,145, and 161,010 adherents, an increase of 2,417. Their chapel debts amount to £332,878, an increase of upwards of £ 52,000 during the last three years. Their Sunday schools have a membership of 199,059, including 25,139 teachers. The Baptist churches number 890, all of which with five exceptions, have sent in official returns. These show a membership of 101,699, and rccommodation for 328,522 persons. In their Sunday schools there are 10,712 teachers, an increase 530, and 112,527 scholars, an increase of 4,309.

Gwynfe. DATHLIAD UCHEL WYL NADOLIG. Wele, Wyl Nadolig, 1897, wedi myned heibio, a'i holl rialltwch gydag ef. Y mae cryn lawer o wahaniaeth yn ein dull ni, pobl yr-ocs rhodresgar lion, a phobl oes y Cwrw Bach," "hcla whiw," saethu target," yn treulio Gwyl y Nadolig. Ni fyddai ond gwaith ofer edrychyn ol dros ein hysgwyddau i'r hen' amser ar y ffolinebau uchud) fel y mae gwybodaeth yr oes yn ymeangu, dylai dull o dreulio Gwyl y Nadolig ragori ar yr hen amser gynt. Gresyn meddwl fod yr hen arferiad defosiynol o gynal Plygain ar foreu y Nadolig yn cyflym ymadaw on plith beth yn fwy at bwrpas, na chyfarfod crefyddol yn y boreu am bump o'r gloch, cyn toriad y wawrddydd dlos, na berw y dydd ddyfod oddiamgylch i ddathu genedigaeth Ceidwad y Byd yn febin tylawd yn Methlehem. A chyfrif pobpeth i ystyriaeth treuliwyd Gwyl y Nadolig yng Ngwynfc, yn dawel a phwrpasol, ac hcfyd dyddorol iawn, oherwydd am 10 o'r gloch y r -yfarfu Ysgolion Sabbothol perthynol 1 wys Jerusalem yng nghyd i'r capel uchod, 1 gael eu arholi ar Epistol Cyffredinol Iago," sef, Maes Llafur cylch Annibynol Dyffryn Tywi, am I S98. Arholwyd gan y Parch Rhys Davies, Corris, Gogledd Cymru. yr hwn a wnaeth ei ran yn ganmoladwy. Gwnaeth arddangosiad ei fod yn classical man- o'r radd flaenaf yn yr Ysgrythvrau. Gall Eglwys Jerusalem fod yn falch o fod yn famaeth i'r gwr icuanc athrylithgar hwn. Dyma genius man Illewn gwirionedd. Ychydig flynyddoedd yn oj, yr oedd yng Ngholeg Presbyteriaidd, Caer-1 fyrddin bu wedi hyny yng Ngholeg Bala- t) Z3 Bangor. Pasiodd trwy y ddwy Athrofa yn anrhydeddus, ac ar yr 8fed dydd o fis Medi diweddaf, urddiwyd ef yn weinidogym mhlith chwarelwyr Maldwyn yn Corris, Gogledd Cymru. Boed i lwyddiant a bendith y Nef ddilyn ar oil o'i weithrcdiadau yn Corris, ar ddechreu et yrfa weinidogaethol hyn yw dymuniad ei gyfaill, Gwynfe. DAVID R. MORGANS.

I Publications. MACMILLAN'S MAGAZINE.—The following the contents of this magazine forDecem Certainly there is nothing in them to remind of Yule Tide, but the whole of the reading of the highest character:- A Philosoph Romance, sy John Bewick A Roman Cath University for Ireland, by F St. John Morrow The Promotion of John Johnson Some Humo of the Composing rootu A cry from the West, by Mrs Molesworth I Ramazan. by I- Clifford Comntry Notes, by S G Tallentyrr J ■" The Church) A Cuban Filibuster, by ijaroid Bindloss The Royal Buckhoul Macmiilon & Co., Dimited, St. Martin's Street, W.C. THE CENTURY MAGAZINE (Christmas nuoibrt.)— A grand Christmas pait of the 1 ighest literary merit possible, opening with a iutiluily illue trated description of "Merry in th. Tenements." The piece de tle pll* however, no doubt is th" magnificent paper 1 -Teiinysonand his friends at Freshwater," ihe portraits and views be,"iig of he most exquisite natuie. It b much to be dOt; d. if tht.: December part of The Century iYUiga~-ie. ill not rank amongst the best Christmas numbers G1 the year The contents are :—Gainsborough's Portrait of Mrs Graham. frontispiecce Merry Christmas in the Tenements, with pictures, Jacob A Riis A Religious Painter, Fritz von Uhde, with tliree pictures. W Lewis, Fraser Good Americans, Mrs Burton Harrison The.Old Year to the New, Clinton Scollard The Author of -1 A visit from St. Nicholas," with a portrait, Clarence Cook Cole's Old English Masters, with four engravings, John C Van Dyke The Tourney's Queen, Ednah Proctor Clarke The Causes of Poverty, Francis A Walker Rubaiyat of Doc Sifers, in two partn, with pictures, James Whitcomb Riley Gallops How the Fence-breaker' League was stumped," with a picture, David Gray Fate, Phillip Gerry; Pat Mullarkey's Reformation, Henry Van Dyke Tennyson and his Friends at Freshwater, with pictures and decorations, V C Scctt O'Connor A New York Nocturne, Charles G D Roberts Edwin Booth in London, E II House A Ballad of Poverty Row, Helen Gray Cone The Wonder- ful Morning-glories of Japan, with pictures, Elica Ruhamah Scidmore Hepzibah's Mothering, I Marion Manvilla Pope; The Picture of Aguf" Havlen Carruth Hawthorne in Berkshire, ii W Gi'der A Litt'e Episode with Youth, Little j IxamikonFrench Flowers in the Pave, Charles) M Skiiiiier Topics of the Time Open Luters 'JI, ter Vein. — London Macmillan & Oo., Lu> .u St Martin's Street, W.C. Sr. NICHOLAS —The December numbe-. of thi« magazine-for Young Folks, is also a CliriBima6 i 1 L I 3 j 1 f 1 i a 1 1 t s i I I J uvttu »» UDU y 1. | C1 wLes," by Louis Greville "The Little T, ua>; ot," by James Workman Things made I by ,'hildren," by Robert Henderson Why It Lnald Fawley was never disbarred," by J S Sheridan Foolhardy Feats," by George Dollar F c the Good of the County," by Mary Angela Di: ns "The Dreyfus Case," by J Holt S 'ing Christmas in the Forest ".osities." The number is a grand one, and the lUastrations splendid. THL V\ nsou MAGAZINU for December is the ChrisiniHB Iri.mber of this excellent publication, ind is nliji-' full of interesting articles and stories. Thprici-de Frontispiece, "The Annunciation ivronstadt," by Max Pemberton Some Famous Footballers," by C B Fry Like Father, Like Son II.R.H. The Duchess of York" "The Left Hand of Samuel Dodson," by Ian Maclaren 11 Ad3ruiag the Church for Christmas," by St Clair Simmons Masters of Empire," by Fred A McKenzie Many Cargoes," by Scott Hajikin Jerry Bundler," by W W Jacobs Christmas a Century Ago," by Montagu Barstow Our Christmas Plum Poddings," by Ernest E Williams A Tale of Two Treasures," by William Westall In the Castle Hall," by Edith Rutter The Treasure of Sacramento Nick," by Guy Boothby Five Black and White Artists," by A H Girdlestone "A Lord of Misrule," hy E J Sullivan "The Joyous Comrade," by I Zangwill; The Yule Log," by J Jellicoe Christmas fi-irds," by Leily Bingen "The Ghost's Double," by L F Austin The Love Adventures of Primrose Ward," by L T Meade Our Plans for 1898," by the Editor The Queen of Christmas," by Blanche Offor The Conversion of Toughie," by Alfred Slade The Child of the Children," by Ethel Turner Christmas Morning at Chmoh," by Hal Hurst The Editor's Scrap Book 11 Two in a Canoe," by Henry Martley Mellory's Mission," by L A Harker. The magazine is nicely illustrated. With this number is given a splendid novel by Grant Allen, "The Scallywag." This in itself is worth more than the price charged for this magazine.

LLANDILO. JUMBLE SALE.—A very successful Jumble Sale" and Christmas Treo were held in the National Schools on Tuesday last in aid of the funds for the. District Nuree. It is only for the Hon Misses Rice and the Tregib ladies to promote any cause to ensure success in Llandilo, and that this was so on Tuesday last was clearly exemplified. The stalls contained a real jumble lot of goods, and the Christmas Tree a crowded lot of nick nacks and toys. There was also the Bran tub," and a kind of variety entertainment was carried on in one of the class-rooms consisting of tableaux, singing, and recitations. The singing of Miss Gladys Rice of Welsh airs was quite a treat, and the recitation by Mrs Picton Philipps quite a surprise. The stall holders were the ladies of the committee, and their worthy secretary (Mrs Fortesine Hughes), ably assisted by a numerous band of willing helpers. CONCERT.—There was a crowded house at the Drill Hall on Christmas evening, the occasion of the annual oncert given by the Methodist fraternity, and a splendid programme was gone through. On the platform were Messrs J. W. Jones, W. Griffiths, Edgar Jones, Scurlock, and Morgans (Caeunewydd). The professionals engaged were Miss Annie Thomas (soprano), winner of the chief soprano solo at Hirwain Eisteddfod, and those hosts, Messrs \V Trevor Evans, R.A.M. (tenor), and David Evans (bass), of Morriston. Local talent was well represented by Miss Richards and Miss Parry (sopranos), Mr D J Rees (tenor), Mr E R Evans and Mr D Lewis (bass), and the way in which the locals went through their part of the programme shows that Llandilo need not be ashamed of its musicians. The programme was as follows ;-onK, Arm arm ye brave Mr D Evans song, Llam y cariadau," Miss Thomas song, Y Ffarweliad cyntaf," Mr Trevor Evans, which was encored, and responded to" by The Last Watch song, The Skipper," Mf E R Evans; duett, "Howelland Blodwen," Miss Richards and Mr D J Rees (encored); song, Revenge," Mr D Evans (encored), and responded Cymru Fydd song, The Bay of Biscay." Mr Trevorg Evans (encored), and responded to "Y r amser gynt song, "Tit for Tat," Miss Thomas, (encored), and responded to Y deryn pur." The second half was started by Mr D. Lewis singing of Y Teitliwr a'i gi," which was encored and 0 Firm as Oak given to in response; duett, "Mae Cymru'n Barod," Messrs Evans (encored) song, Gwlad y delyn," Miss Thomas song, Gwlad y Canu," Mr D I Raes; song, "Bid me to love," Miss Parry (encored) song, I- The Dream of Paradise," Miss' Richards teueored), and responded O'r wyn cofio" Sony, The yeoman's wedding morning," Mr D Evaua (encored); song, I- La Danza' (encored), and responded to Myn'd i'r Nef." *■? I ro:. '4 x f the Inland Revenue Officials. The reason way so many fail to obtain relief is that they either will not take the trouble to prepare proper accounts or else they have neglected to keep any accounts of their business transactions. If proper accounts be kept or even if a proper oash account be presented (which is very simple by using the Taxpayers Cash Book") there is but little difficulty 111 establishing a claim. Apart altogether from the Income-tax question, it is most necessary that all persons engaged in business should keep a proper record of the business done. Many persons have drifted into Bankruptcy through ignorance of their financial condition, who would have been able to have retrieved their positions, had they been aware of it in time. As most of your readers who are engaged in business are now ascertaining the amount of their profits for the past year, will you allow us to remind them that, if such profits show a diminution they may be entitled to the re-payment of a considerable portion of the Income-tax paid in respect of the same, and to point out the importance of making the claim forthwith. Thousands of people pay tax for which they are not liable, more particularly those whose incomes are derived from property and investments where tax is deducted before being paid to the recipients, even when dividends are paid free of Income-tax." Claims can in many cases now be made for four years, and the sum repayable might in the case of private incomes alone exceed t42 up to the end of the current financial yeqr, to say nothing of tax allowed in respect of Life Insurance premiums even when the income exceeds £500. We shall be glad to advise any of your readers gratuitously whether they can make a claim if they send us full particulars of their incomes and a stamped addressed envelope. Yours faithfully, THE INCOME-TAX ADJUSTMENT AI.;EKCY. i' and 13, Poultry, London, E.C. December 28th, 181.

4 NifdJt Out." -,0, what a Night! "A 1""iht Out," which has been running ab the Vaudp.vil.a Theatre, London, for 500 performances, will be produced at the Assembly-rooms, Carmarthen, on Monday, January 3rd, by Mr E. Lockwood's Company. IT WILL m: HROUUHT REHE UNDER THE DIRECTION OF MH. W. PAYNK SEDIJON. It is acknow- ledged by the entire London press to be the most bright and ingenious farcical comedy ever produced, and causes the heartiest laughter without being the least indelicate. The Sheffield Independent says One may take the extravagant notices which have appeared in the London papers with the usual amount of salt until one sees it for one's self, then the description seems too poor and cold. To miss the comedy is to be the poorer for a good, healthy, happy laugh."

ST. CLEARS. RENT AUDIT.—Mr C. F. Davies, Froodvale, attended at the Railway Hotel, St. Clears, on the 23rd of December to receive the rents for Mr J. W. Gwynne- Hughes, Tregib, Llandilo, from the Corngafr estate, when an abatement of 10 per cent was allowed to all the tenants. If more landlords would follow Mr Hughes's generous example there would be less talk of a Land Court.

V ONTARDULAIS. FUNERAL.—The remains of the late Mr T. R. Lewis, for many years stationmaster (Great Western Railway and London and North Western Railway) at Pontardulais, were interred at the Llanelly Cemetery on Tuesday. The station officials were pall- bearers, and there were also present the Revs W. Morgan, B.A., vicar of Llandilo Talybont, and E. Jones, B.D., curate of St. David's Mr S. Williams, D.C., Mr John Benson, Mr D. George Davies, and Mr Norman.

l, V C A T L JU iv M L N. 1 si rv SE *ss-fo?zs. 'Tr),cst, "sessions were held on Friday, before Mr A H Jones 'chairman). Sir O M Lloyd, iL F.Davies. and Mr A Jeremiah,—P.S. Rogers chatgcd I Benjati r' vmas (aged 13), son of Evan Thomas, v ^arry Ffinant, Newcastle-Emlyn, cabinet-maker, with stealing one sovereign, two half-sovereigns, and is in coppers, the property of Samuel Morris, postman, Quarry Ffinant, Newcastle-Emlyn. Defendant pleaded guilty, and was ordered to pay £ r 7s 6d. costs, and bound over in the I sum of £ io, to appear and receive judgment when called upon.—The same constable charged John Jones (aged 10), son of Timothy Jones, Quarry Ffinant, Newcastle- Emlyn, coach-builder, with stealing a silver watch and two sovereigns, the property of Samuel Morris, postman, Quarry Ffinant, Newcastle-Emlyn. Defendant pleaded guilty, and was ordered to pay £1 7s 6d. costs, and bound over in the sum of Zio to appear and receive judgment when called upon.—The same constable charged George Griffiths,* Cwmwern, LIandygraig, mason, with drunkenness. Fined 5s ann costs.— P.C. Roblin charged John Thomas Evans, 21, The Avenue, Carmarthen, insurance agent, with driving a carriage at night with- out lights. Fined 2s 6d and costs.

1, 1, A N G A 1) 0 C K. SCHOOL BOARD.-On Wednesday, the 15th inst, a meeting of the School Board was held at the Llangadock Board School, Mr Jones, Baily, being chairman. There was no business of importance, except the audit for the year. FUNERAL OF MRS. THOMAS.—On Wednesday afternoon week the remains of Mrs Ann Thomas, the wife of Mr Richard Thomas, Bank House, were interred at the Burial place. The Rev J M Salmon officiated at the house, and the Rev Mr Rees, Vicarage, at the grave. Mrs Thomas had been ill for some time and bore the same with but little murmur. She had reached the ripe age of 70 years. VISIT OF THE MAYOR OF CARDIFE.—On Friday week the Mayor of Cardiff (Mr Ramsdale) visited Llangadock in company with the Under-Sheriff of the County (Mr Nicholas, liandilo) Mr Williams, of Carmarthen and Mr Thomas, Llandilo. The four dined together at the Glansevin Arms Hotel. No less a person than Mr Lloyd, of Glansevin, sent his carriage to meet Mr Ramsdale, as he was a little lame. All were highly pleased with the lunch and attendance, and with the neighbourhood.

BIRTHS. COOVER.—On Christmas Day, at St. Clears, the wife of Mr Sidney Cooper, stationmaster, of a son. DAVIEs.-Decemier 29th, at Orchard-street, Car. marthen, the wife of Mr D Jones Davies carpenter, of a daughter. JONES.-December 28th, at Castle School House, ( Kidwelly, the wife of D 0 Jones, of a daughter. MARRIAGES. Ev AN-LEIWI.-DeceD1ber:26th, at the Tabernacle Baptist Chapel, Carmarthen, by the Rev E U Thomas, Mr David Evans, packer, G.W.R., Newcastle-Emlyn, son of Mrs Evans, Wood's- row, Carmarthen, to Miss Ann Leigh, second daughter of Mr Robert Leigh, Old Priory-row, Carmarthen. Dec. 25th (Christmas Day), at St. Thomas' Church. Swansea, by the Rev W. Evans, curate, Mr Daniel Griffiths, mason, G.W.R., Neath, to Sarah Anne, second daughter of Mr Thomas Thomas, of 17, Joha-street, Car- marthen. DEATHS. EYANs.-December 26th, at Clifton-street, Laugharne, Mis? Jane Evans, aged 38 years. SAMUEL. December 25th, at Lavamas-street, Carmarthen, Mr David Lloyd Samuel, son of Mr David Samuel, grocer and baker, aged 23 years. "WILLIAMS.—December 21st, at Clifton-street, Laug iirne (suddenly), Miss Anre AVilliame, daughter of the late Mr David Williams, grocer, I of King-street, Laugharne. seed Rt '—-