South Wales Daily News

CORRESPONDENCE. I TEETOTALLER (Cardiff).—There is some authority for saying that a brewery carried on in the midst of a town is a public nuisance. Ycur remedy, if specially aggrieved, would be by injunction in the Court of Chancery, or, if you act on behalf of the public, by indictment. In either case you will find it necessary1 to consult a solicitor. The police are not likely to take up a thing of the kind without special instruc- tions. W.J.J. (Llanelly).— The rule that a dog must be proved to have bitten someone previously in order to give you a right to proceed against the owner only applies to civil actims, e.g., in the coimty-court. Police-court proceedings may be taken without this, and hence it is no longer strictly true that "by the law of Eng- land every dog is entitled to one worry." INQUIRER ((' oxton). -Grattan did not obtain a Parliament for Ireland, because that country had a Parliament as far back as England herself. What | Grattau did was to obtain the repeal of certain fet- ters on the power of the Irish Parliament, thereby making it independent of the English one. T. E. Bo WEN AND OTHERS.—We have not space to deal with questions on subjects of no public interest. LIBERAL (Usk).—An executer is allowed a term of twelve months from the death f his testator for administering the estate. But it does not follow from this that in a plain case, where there are no compli- cated duties to perform, an exeeutcr should cling to the funds for that period. lie should proceed witli- out unreasonable delay, and lie will have to account for interest on all sums which lie detains in his hands without any cause. W. C. (Bri 'gend).— (l)No. (2) You must state the facts more fully.

THE CillEF CONSTABLESHIP OF GLAMORGANSHIRE. TO THE EDITOR, Sill,-It is evident that the appointment of the above officer is lcokocl forward to with a keen interest not usually manifested with regard to | public appointments in general. This, no doubt, can be accounted for in many ways. It is the first time for the representatives of the people to have a partial voica in the matter. Conse- quencly, the people arc anxious to see how their itrust will be reciprocated. The bold and, as it has proved, successful stand made by the Car- diganshire people's men in the face of enormous edds, also adds a fillii) of interest to the Imatter. Some surprise and disappointment has been expressed cn account of the paucity of Welsh candidates for the ap- pr.intment, but when it is kerne in mind how these posts have been filled up in the past, it cannot be wondered that eligible candidates from am-.ng the people do n t see the fun of wasting- paper and ink. To an outsider, it seems incomprehensible that a small fore? like that of Cardiganshire cculi furnish three or fvur appli- cants, whilst Glamorgan has not produced but a single one. Yet this county has in its force officers of lrnc; experience and born Welshmen. How, then, tc account fcr their non-applications ? Simply encujrh. Th:-y very effectually barred themselves out by signing a memorial in favour of a jMtrtieular candidate.—I am, &-c., Dec. 29th. DENIDO.

TO TIIE EDITOE. Sin,—Though feeling very strongly upon this question, I have hesitated to obtrude any views of my cwn upon the public mind until now that I feel bound tc support the very cogent remarks of Lloffwyr in Saturday's Cardiff limes. Out of 13 candidates for the chief constableship of Glamorganshire six have been selected to appear before the joint committee at its adjourned meet- ing in January. Of these no less than five are army men. Wo deeply deplore this fact, for Wales has had more than enough of the military element in her police force. The remedy lies, of course, in the filling of all future vacancies in the Welsh counties by men from th') forcc-1 itself, and thus creating a class of trained and experienced chief constables, who will prove for- midable competitors to the half-pay captains and majors who now hold the field against all comers. It seems tc me that the Glamorganshire County Council is new in an unexampled position for acting in the spirit of this excellent advice, in the interests of the ccunty, through the efficiency of its police arrangements and police operations. Head-Const able William Irvin, of Dublin, is the sixth candidate selected. He is a police ofticer pure and simple, with all a constable's instincts and withoi-.t military bias. He has never got into mcticn either with those under his command rr with these in authority over himself. Having been in the It yal Irish Constabulary for over 15 years, made a record hard to be paralleled, he was pr omoted to his present position, receiving in addition a special monetary grant by the direc- tion of Earl Spencer, then 'Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, in consideration of "the valuable services which ho rendered in connection with the murder of Lord Frederick Cavendish and Mr rurke, and the attempted assassination of Mr Field." His name has been mentioned as con- nected with the successful investigation of serious crimes, on n.3 less than three different occasions, in general circulars to the entire force, numbering over 12,000 men; in fact, no other member of the force has been so successful in the investigation of crimes of every description. And nobody will be found to question that the sister island during' the disturbed and eventful years cf Mr Irvin's valuable, if not unique, ser- vice, has afforded a field for acquiring- and utilis- ing experiences as a police ofScor second to none in tho world. He is certainly not a. Welshman, but he is con- nected by marriage with South Wales, his wife being a Cardiff hdy (Miss Williams), to whom he was married in St J elm's Church, Canton, lie ■in walirW.witautty xarasoms in Cardiff, and Glamorganshire generally, and in his application he expresses his readiness to acquire a knowledge of th Welsh language, if appointed to the head constableship.—lam See. a!) 'till, A RESIDENT IN GLAMORGANSHIRE Dec. 29. FOR 23 YEARS.

THE GHECKWEIGHERS AT TREHARRIS.; TO Till, EDITOR. Sir,—In your issue of tho 27th inst., I noticed an appeal by Another Chockweigher to the co-checkweighers of his, and Mr Evans.Trsharris, requesting them fo express freely their opinions; pending the move-abcut scheme" among the checkweighers of the above locality, and of Mr Evans' refusal. In accordance with his wish, and as I consider it my bounden duty towards my fellow checkwcig-lier, I beg, openly, to uy, accor- ding to my experience of ten years, that the stationary and not the portable checkweigher is the workman's best friend. The more practice lie gets—the more easily he performs his oflic-3—and the easier any chcckweigher can fulfil his duties, the more time he has to watch his employers' interest. As Mr Evans said when lie declared his opinion and the reasons fer not obeying the it is very wrong on tin- part ;.f the committee to ask him to go, leave alone giving him a month's notice, if the c-Ili-rs cf Treharris will permit the man to be turn«d out cf his office, I must say they are totally blind. Fellow workmen, arouse, don't allow yourselves to be led astray. Another thing, as Mr Evans is a member of the chc-ckweis-hers' association," I hope the same will stand firm by him.—I am, &c., A THIRD CHECKWEIGHER. Dec. 27th.

TAFF VALE RAILWAY STATIONS. TO TIIE EDITOH. Sir..—A refreshment bar is urgently needed at Aberdaro Junction station, where tberejs now almost from early morn up to about 11.40 p.m. every day a large number of passengers waiting for the variant trains. The waiting-rooms at the junction station are by no means comfortable, but if a refreshment bar were provided so that could get a cup of coffee or anything else that would ^erveas a pick-me-up or as a stimulant to keep the half-perished alive there would not be so much cause to complain. Aberdare Junction station is not what it used to be. It is now daily crowded with people frcm Cilfynydd, Ynysybwl, the Aberdare and Merthyr valieys, and the new pits which are being sunk near the station will ere long undoubtedly make the neighbourhood quite equal to Pontypndd in many respects. Now, Mr Editor, if it pays the Taff Val? Com- pany to rent premises at Pontypridd and Mer- thyr, it would certainly pay them better at Aberdare Junction, where hotels and restaurants are out of the question.—I am, &c., Dec. 29 th. TAFF DAILY.

THE PANTOMIME AT THE THEATRE ROYAL. TO THI: EDITOR. ( SIR,—Being on a visit, to seme friends living in that pretty suburb of Roath, I wm invited by them to attend the performance of the panto- mime at the Theatre Royal on Saturday last. I found the acting so excellent throughout, the mounting so magnificent, and the run so rapid and smooth, that I am induced to beg of you to do me the favour of inserting this letter in your widely-read journal as an expression of hearty admiration for the above pantomime from one who has had considerable experience of Crystal Palace and other London pantomimes. Such excellent Christmas entertainments as those now provided at the Theatre Royal are striking proofs I r of the local energy and enterprise to which therapid growth and development of Cardiff are in a great measure due.—I am, &c., 30th December, 1890. A LONDON CRITIC. -In T-

A NKW WJ^LSH YICAR. The Rev R. E. Price, rector of Llanymynech and rural dean of Oswestry, has been collated by the Lord Chancellor to the vicarage of Moreton, vacant through tiie death cf the Rev C. Orlando Kenyan, who had held it since 1877. The living of Moreton is one of the most valuable in the diocese of St Asapii, the annual income being: nearly £ 700 paid from Consols. Mr Price wasf appointed t,) the rectory of Llanymynech in 1876. j

DISAPPEARANCE OF MR SHUTER. A reward c-f £ 50 has been offered for informa- tion concerning the whereabr-uts Mr L. A. Shuter, of North Cray, Kent, who has been miss- ing- from his home for more than a week. Mr I Shuter, who is the father of the famous Surrey j, cricket captain, is known to have had a con- siderable sum of money uoon his pet-son when last seen, and this fact leads to the fear thadt he may have met with foul treatment.

IT IS INTERESTING to note how the taste of the public changes. Instead of the heavy, thick beer of the past, they will now have nothing but a light, sparkling, clear, well-hopped, and delicately flavoured ale. The difficulty of the brewer has j beon to brew such an ale so that it will keep. The: following extract will show how well Messrs 1; Watkins and Son, of the Hereford Brewery, have h succeeded in "hitting the mark" with their "Golden Sunlight:—"The firm speaks very highly of the ale, in fact, the Captain {: mentioned that after the ale going to Bombav, j" and on its return to England, was in grand con- dition, in fact, he never had tasted finer ale in hia life."—To be obtained in casks and bottles, at the stores, Cardiff, Swansea, Leominster, Ludlow, I and Ray, or from over 160 agents in all parts oj the United Kingdom. For Agency terms, apply 1 The Hereford Brewery. (Established 1834). 1240,1

DEATH OF MR WILLIAM JOHN Intelliuenceireaches us from Madrid of the sudden death;of Mr William John, M.O.I.N.A. the eminept naval arcect and constructor. Mr John Arrived at the Spanish capital en the 23rd instant, with a..view to signing a contract with the Minister of Marine for the designing and building of an armour-plated war-ship, but was seized with a severe attacks cf congestion of the lungs, to which lie succumbed on Friday. Mr John was a native of Pembroke, and after a practical training in th. lioyal ^Dockyard was appointed an Admiralty* studerrt at the Royal School of Naval Architecture, South Kensington, from which he passed out in 1867 with the diploma. of Fellow of the First Class. The same year he received an appointment as draughtsman at the Admiralty, but left the Government service in 1872 b enter that of Lloyd's, to which society he became assistant-chief sui-veyer. In 1881 he left Lloyd's to become gen era! manager to the Barrow Shipbuilding and Engineering Crmpany, in whose service he designed and built, amongst other vessels, the famous Atlantic liner the City of Rome. Whilst at the Admiralty he distinguished himself by the construction of the first curve of stability ever produced, and kindred subjects have formed the bases of the many scientific papers read by him at the meetings of the Institute of Naval Architects, of the council of which he was a member. One of his last triumphs was the carrying off. in a competition own to the naval architects of the world, of the prize of 25,000 dols. offered by the United States Government for a design of the war-ship Texas, now in course of construction at Norfolk, Virginia. His treatise on The Masting of Vessels," issued by Lloyd's Registry, is accepted as the standard authority on "this subject, and has been officially translated into the languages oi the leading maritime nations.

THE CARDIFF TOWN HALL. i 9n „Moi»day a meeting of the Town- »al1 Committee of the Cardiff County Council was nerd, Alderman Lewis (deputy mayor) presidinp-. There were also present— Aldermen Jacobs, David Jones, and Waring i Councillors Thomas Hees, Brain, Ramsdale, and Symouas; Mr J. L, Wheatley (town ckrk) and Mr Harpur (borough engineer).—The letter sent j'1 ky ^ne Var- Architects' Society asking that the cesigns for the new town hall should be limited to Cardiff, as the town, con- tamed a large number of competent architects, was read. A lrng discussion fallowed, and it was tained a large number of competent architects, was read. A lrng discussion fallowed, and it was agreed tuat no c.efinite decision could yet be come •fx! fu con]mitt(^ were not sufficiently advanced W!th the work. Alderman Jacobs considered it v 'V tD t0 ^present hall; it would be sheer waste of money, becausc within tne next 20 years cr so there would be sufficient enterprise in the tewn to sweep the whole thing away. He thought that they had better acquire offices for tho borough engineer's depart- ment outside tho hall premises f0j- a time, leaving ment outside tho hall premises for P, time, leaving the legal department to occupy the whole of the existing space .until.proper municipal buildings were erected.-Mr Peter Price suited the em- ploymcnt. oi an expert, who should work under the superintendence of Mr Harpur, then all the details decided upon by the committee could be properly carried out. -Ald e-,clna'll David Jones sircnerly advised; the committee to erect addi- tional buildings an Westgate-street and on his proposition seconded by Alderman Jacobs, a sub-committee was appointed to take the matter into consideration.

ALLEGED BRUTALITY AT MONMOUTH. At the Monmouth polic°-oour{; cn Monday— berore Mr 1. James—Wil]iam Jones, farm labourer, was charged on a warrant with maliciously wounding William Devereux, another labourer on tne same farm (Great Manson, Monmouth). Irosecutor was unable to attend condrtion was described as critical. He had received three severe wounds on the scalp and a bad kicii on the right side of the face. Prisoner was'remanded, bail being iv fuSed was remanded, bail being iv fuSed :a.

THE WEATHER AND THE CROPS. [FR°M MONDAY'S MARK-rjAYE EXPRESS.] With regard to the grain Markets of the past week there is not much to say. London on Monday last was enveloped in f* and samp/es, especially ot flour, were difficult judge of/a.^d which a^hol^6 Sek!0m changed. St. Ives. i J.ZQ 11.maii^ot ou Mondav, advanced | tl Sw /1' garter, and a firm attitude | f'rmeS t,,T be adopted by the lurmer. lKan& and barley v-pre 6d dever at) }» — »* bat fow. iuesday at Liverpool wJveadv though there was very litfcV A -f ,0 i i t < JLtc.e aoinsr. Wednesday was remarkable m London f0l. ?the dull market and an excessive supply of flCu No business, of course, was done on Christy bay, cr on the day alter, ana on Satunlay, with the continuance of wintry weather holders were not disposed to par I with corn at a decline. Tlle advance, however, has not come, ana tarries for the New Year. With a cold January fottowing a %Ij December, it is i almost assurec, tha only question being that of t its extent and range. If, 0n the ofchei. hand> ana;„, j bemiid, the stores jn granary may prove sumcient, to prevent the enhanced prices. -=- '.¡

ROBBERY FROM A CARDIFF TUG. H. J. Paine—,1 ohn iiuke L^s)afd»r' 1 Sf it and others that he was manager of' the Prosecutors stated lived at 47, TudoSoad T,feain tuS IVne, and. in his service as captain anH pnsDIVer ha? b^fU last three months. ?Dhe boat ^:itchman for the 10th December, and from UPon th" d™.imhSdb°- l8"t auc to Lim had been paid, he a,.i' i fnr rncncv to of ropo marine store dealer of ft,?* latncK 7s 6d fnr it \V4f^ f? 0111 the tug, paying tug .w<s to be 1301d that he had Jr.1;nsslO:rlto sell everything Ol.lt of }S^afd 1° SellcrythinS^ ofhe^-Thomas Constable,.aid the policn 'fnqSrie' ssr was lyinsj^lend in hi, house at pS=t time the dislionesty i.nd gros. bre^Xt^Tof Sid, ov 'vt, the" SMm » b. hound upon during the next U'h' n d

'I Lainbert and Butler's Superfine Shag, in packets. To be obtained of all Grocers. 8128 < MAZA^ATTEE TEAS are a Household Word in. ^?e3 > they recall the delicious Teas of 30 years ago IT. THE GREAT CLTRF, FOR CoRNs.-Munday"s? Vindme—Still further testimony. A Chemist writes f Will you send me a bottle of your Viridine ? It is for my own use. I get plenty of corn cures of the same-, colour, bnt none of them apoear to equal yours. No one ought to say his corns are incurable until he has. user! Viridine." Thousands have been cured, some, of whom had suffered for over 50vears. Beware of"! imitations. Sold in bottles Is, by post Is 2d, by the Proprietor, J. Munday, Chemist,1, High-street, Cardiff and all Chemist 1079-2 i

CHRISTMAS DAY IN AN OPEN BOAT. LOST IN A BRISTOL CHANNEL FOG. Pier Head loungers at Cardiff, whose talk is usually of ships and shipwrecks, or hairbreadth escapes by sea, were on Mon 'ay fairly revelling1 in the details of a little Christinas Day adventure which befel a pilot's apprentice bold and a lass wlfcse love for Ic a sailor placed her in a highly unpleasant predica- ment. Away on the Flat Holm there dwells in comparative solitude a family a youthful repre- sentative cf which leads the hardy life that all must endure who elect to brave the perils of the channel in a pilot-boat. Like the majority of sailer men," most gallant of mortals, this son of Neptune has a .sweetheart, who resides in Cardiff. Naturally encugh the lovers were anxious to spend Christmas Day in each other's society, and as may well be conceived, the maiden readily accepted an invitation from the family of her swain to pass the day in their midst. The only difficulty that presented itself was how to reach the island. The Flat Holm, at its best, is not an attractive place, and excursionists, as a rule, give it a wide berth. Even in the height of the season for trips down channel, passengers are rarely landed there, and needless to state, no enterprising boat-owner deemed it worth while advertising a trip to the island on Christmas Day, above all days in the year. The pilot lad had therefore no alternative but to ship his lady-love aboard an open sailing boat. and. steer his fragile and comfortless craft for his island h„me. They started early, and for a time all went well. True, the weather was cold, but what recked they if that ? Love laughs at locksmiths, and is impervious to cold. But wnen, just as they were nearing the end of their voyage, a dense fog set in, making it impossible to see a beat's length ahead, the situation became more than a trifle awkward. The skipper, albeit well accustomed to the chan- nel, was put all out in his reckoning, passed tne island, and knew not where lie was till he fetched the Culver Sands, ai long way down channel. He at once put aoout, and after hours of exposure to the bitter winter weather, reached the Holm shortly after midnight. Throughout what must have been a very trying time, the young lady displayed the utmost foiti-tude. On getting ashore, however, she was thorougly exhausted, and has since, it izs -,tat.d, been con- fined to bed. Happily no serious consequences are likely to supervene, but without doubt she, with her sailor love, will l'Jr.g- remember Christmas-day of 1S90.

LINGUISTS IN th^. a TMVTY. -L, spread o"] i, to observe the rapid the British Army. A AM0^FFICERS OF searchings of heart at the Ho^GuSdtbecIuse our officers knew no TWl-icV. a bu.au» and a prize of £ 500 was offer,^rr ^LC' °^^uss,an' anv of ti1P „ o erecl for proficiency in that as many ,ia themselves competent R^ssiai ^schSkr^ while an average sum of £ 5,000l v,pincr annuallv tontue, TVh°'haVe mast«ea oS of the three state of thincs. T satisfactory l.lr,„„„,ra„ ■, Kn<swled(r,j of foreign fcwftSe'l <f «» tinspsh^ ccmtna'.ida-s ;r^s,6e™i4 sg »"°»Wi?tiS?fVe? hig,h »»<i6it0is a pi easing sign that the val* «f it is Military authori-

A CURIOUS PROVISO. ,i ^furiosities cf recent will-making is' the bequest of the late Mr john Noble, the millionan o varnish manufacturer of an annual income to his son, Mr Wilson Noble the present nn'^f for Hastings, with the proviso that £ 2,000 a year shall at once be sti«ck off if ho STJTOC T £ UFH&Y SMS.Tr and Mi Noble, even under t7h0 propituous political skies of 1886, only Outstripped the Libei al candidate by some 535 votes in a total fearl-y S'000. But tHOSh the extra £ 2,000 a year is to be lost if he&s his seat, it is to come back to him a c fir-d a seat anywhere. 9 -,Vhen,b'c -=-

A CA-RDIFF STEAMER GROU-NDED. A Lloyd's Port S^cT~^elePram says-r-Tha^ steamer Langoe, °f Cardiff for Colombo, grounded eff Damietta, thumped and remained* ^oeu?teamir.1Mai'quisof Lome, from .Antwerp for China, whilst trying to assist the somf hour&S° T^n, ^^Ped, and remained CA ,'R latter steamer jettisoned about lLl,?W K arg° dam^ not ascertained. havjbeen employed toeyam1-no the bottom. -=-

THE COST OF aTstRIKE. r, It has been estimated that the recent A-astm-, ban strikes cost the colonies there over onevmil- hon and a quarter sterling. The loss to labour in iccoiia, New oouth Wales, and Scuth Australia* is recWd at £ 909,000, to trade at £ 305,000, andto the Stite, in maintenance of military and police' £ 80 wharfage and Customs dues, at\

THE KOCH CTtAZE. AN AMUSING MISADVENTURE. A little while ago the resident doctor of the little Polish town of Pab^nia received a tele- gram from Berlin, with th, following significant words, "Koch comes immediately." No sooner had the ycung telegraph official spelt cut these v" ords than ho left tue effice to take care of itself, and hurried liko lightning from house TO house to inform hris friends and acquaint- ances of the great picce of news that Kooert Koen would a;pear in Pabiauia. This news spread like wildhre through the town, and met with all the more credence as it was known that Count P-1 u. h-j resided in a splendid i, castle near Pabiania, was suffering from a weak chest, and had interested himself greatly in Koch's discovery. It was inferred that Count P., througlf the mediation of the Pabiania physician, had invited Professor Koch to attend him. The cle.ver people ef Pabiania con- sidertd it a cvuty and an honour to give the great German .Yian- of science a worthy reception. At a meeting promptly held in one of the best restaurants ir, the place it was solemnly resolved to receive hiinat the entrance of the town and to invite him t.(.i a. splendid banquet. The speech of welcome, in the temporary absence of the physician, was entrusted to the apothecary of the town for delivery in, French or, if necessary, Latin. The great day arrived. In swallowtails and white ties, their: fur coats thrown lightly ever their sho,ilderci, the town dignitaries, under the leadersb.ip of the Burgomaster, waited on the high road for the arrival of the coacli whicli was to bring the great man from the next rail- way station. At cue o'clock the carriage came til ,ht, and in it a man with a German fur coat. The apothecary, who had gained the necessary courage by drinking several glares of heme-made brandy, stepped cou- raucously forward, cleared his throat, and began, uii'in, monsieur, j'ai l'honneur de vous dire v oli bonjour H'm, h m, monsieur Dominus lnpum vincit! Lupus non est in futuro!" Merci! merci echoed all the quality of Pabi- aivia. Meanwhile the stranger, much frightened, drew his passport out of his pocket, and holding it under the apothecary's nose, made it plain that the. new arrival was a new cook from Berlin engaged by Count P.! The notabilities crept home ashamaa eacn one laid the blame 011 the other, but the telegraph official suffered most. Koch means in German cook," and the telerraphist had jumped to erroneous conclusions. J ■ig»iiw.uifimimii »n iiw mi

DISASTROUS ACCIDENT IN LIVERPOOL. A terrible fatality took place on Mcnday i morning. Four young men, about eighteen years cf age, were scalding a boiler in Messrs l'rven Brothers' lard refinery, in Lzve-lane, when by some mischanc* the con- necticn with the next boiler was opened, and boiling water and steam poured into the cue in which the youths were. No assistance could be rendered, and when the dead bodies were re- covered they presented a terrible spectacle. Gallant attempts were made by the assistant engineers and another employe: to rescue the youths at the risk cf their cwn lives, but without avail. Tho youths must have been suffocated by the steam and scalded to death, the flesh coming off their bones when being lifted out. How the accident happened is net Icil,wn, but the engineer is under the impression that com- munication between the two boilers had been shut off, and the moment the unfortunate mistake was discovered cold water was turned into the boiler, but it was too late. A few mcments before the Jads were heard simgiug and hammering, and it was the sudden cessation of the sounds that called attention to the boiler. Strange to say no noises of any kind were heard afterwards, so the insensibility must have been instantaneous.

PROFESSOR HUXLEY'S CORRES- PONDENCE. At the last meeting of the Brooklyn Ethical Association the following letter was read:- Eastbourne, November 27, 1890.-Dear sir,- Your letters of the 14th instant have just reached me. I fully sympathise with the objects of the Brooklyn Ethical Association, and very willingly accept the honour you offer if I may be a corresponding member from whom no cor- respondence is expected. Letters are, in fact, the bane of my life. Many people appear to have the notion that I am proprietor of a moral au lntellectual dry goods store, and can provide them, at once, with an opinion on any topic that interests them from my extensive warehouses. I ought, no doubt, to feel the delusion an honour, but, as a fact, it is a dire oppression, and many a time makes mo wish I had early recollected that wisest of saws, Beite qui latuii bene vixit," and never put name to a line of print. One result of this state of oppression is that the letters I ought to write often do not get written—especially acknowledgments of books—and I have to rely on the kindness of my friends for forgiveness. Those you mention have reached me, and will be care- fully studied by and by. But fcr the last two months my correspondential sins have quite wearied out the recording angel, who has simply smeared the pag'e black all ever. The fact is that I am getting into a hcuse here, as I cannot exist in L nden any longer, and all thi worry of sorting out thirty years' accumulations cf books and papers has been upon me. My private address will be and there I shall be very pleased to receive anything you may wish to send me but to prevent myself b.ing driven out of house and home by the accumulation of 'theories of the universe' and 9ther trifles which strangers send, I am going to send round a circular with my official address—Royal College of Science, Lon- don, S.W.—where my room (I remain Dean) will hold a good deal, and other people will have the amusement of sorting the contents.—I am, yours very truly, T. H. HUXLEY.-J. A. Skilton, Esq."

) —————-———— I THE CHURCH ARMY SOCIAL SCHEME The Archbishop of Canterbury has sent £100 towards the Church Army Social Scheme, of which the labour home colony system forms an important part. His Grace says, "As to the labour shelters or working homes, a-ftfx reading and consultations with capable judges, I am led to hope thatjyou will not go in for large wirking homes. Nor do I believe that lasting good would be effected bv opening their doors to every comer and goer. This would bo to create verv soon, not a means of moving upward and onward for desti- tute men, but merely a cheaper form of common i s lodging-house. It would simply make it possible to get a certain modicum of shelter and food at the price of less and less labour; it would not really promote industry, for it would not teach Cr help men to meet needs higher than the very 'lowest. To effect these, the desirable ends, it is rmecessarv to 'follow men up' with individual care. The ideal would be only to receive [ men selected and sent to you from different ^parishes and different committees as believed swith fair reason t~i be ready to work as well •asnecessitous, and then net losing sight of them until they are replaced in some satisfactory form cf maintenance. This would be the effective form»Gf labour shelter. All possible Iccal influ- ences ought to be brought to bear. In tho mean- time there is not sufficient organisation for this, -and your own committeo must largely do the selecting, but I trust you will select and escape selecting, but I trust you will select and escape the great evil that must arrive from indiscri- minate reception." The committee of the Church .Armv, wo learn, had virtually anticipated these L suggestions, and his Grace's words approximately h describe the lines on which their Libour Home CoLnies 1m. being carried out. The Farm ((and Over-Sea Labour Home Colonies, it is hoped, i \will be ready in a short time, to be carried on in much the same manner as the City Labour HDDles. ———.——

| KILLED BY A STONE. At • Jarrow, on Monday, Samuel Humphrey, aged 14, was remauded charged with killino- a •little boy by throwing a stone. °

LJ8 1T r^'RUE Yes, I can assure you it is The 'Daily News" of Dec. 27th, said The Babes is one of the most pleasantly seasonable pro- ouctious seen in CiwrtHtL" Grand Theatre. 8506 i

RHONDDA MINERS' ASSOCIA- TION. IMPORTANT SPEECH BY MR ABRAHAM, M.P. The monthly delegate meeting in ccnnettion with the Rhondda Steam-coal Miners Association was held on Monday, at the Windsor Castle Hotel, T"D, whn 35 collieries were represented. 'Air NV. Abraham, M.P. (Mabon) and Mr W. tEvans, miners' agents, were also I)i,ascnt.-The twc)rki,ieli of the Blarnrhondda Level were ad- mitted members *f the association.—The question •of forming the nucleus of a district defence fund was again discussed, and it was resolved that it be postponed f?r a month, but that a final decision be arrived at at the next meeting.-A resolution was passed declaring that the practice cf dispensing with the customary level headings and use stalls instead was detri- mental to the interests of tie workmen, and that payment should be demanded for the same in all cases.—Messrs William Jones, Mountain Ash, and William Morgan, Fernhill, were elected auditors.—It was arranged that the CJydach Vale Coljiery should elect a vice-chairman for the next half-year —Mx Abraham, M.P., and Mr Evan J ones reported the result of the confcrence ort Saturday with the employers, and the decision to retain the slidiiig-scale. The settlement arrived at gave great satisfaction, and a warm vote of thanks was passed to the deputation that waited ( upon the employers.—During the proceedings a question was asked as to the legality of the svetionof certain colliery managers in stopping men, who were on the tp cf the pit in good time in the morning and had socurei- their Lam< s, from descending into the mi no. The men, it was stated, were on the pit top before the hcur pre- scribed, but could not get down bocause the employers had not sufficient facilities to put all the men down before the ekek struck the hsur. The result of this stoppage was that the men. left at the top had t,; return t, th-ir homs and remain idle the whole d the day.—Mr Abraham, M.P., in replying, said he diJ :ot like to answer the question "if-haa' thouh he en- tertained a strong opinion on the matter. He | thought that inasmuch as a special rulo specified that "stop lamps was to take place at a givt,;n time at each colliery, r.? man could b- stepped from descending the mine if he had been supplied with his lamp before the specified time, and if a man would be so 1stopped thc-n he would be entitloi to comoensa- ticli. This, however, was merely his cpinkri, but by the .next meeting he would consult certain authorities on th" question. He had already dealt with this point in his speech at Merthyr on the eight huurs question, and the contention that legislation <,n that subject would interfere with tho liberty of th» subject. No such liberty was known amoitjg colliery employes, and even if there was, it was Sf one-sided liberty—a night liberty and a mornrag compulsion. (Hear, hear.) As that case shoM.va, if the men were not at the pit by a specified hour they would be stepped for the day, but theywould be at liberty to remain m the pit for many lr. urs at night if the arrangement of the colliery permitted. He had observed several j anonymous let iters in the press cn the questIOn Ilately, all prof essmg to corns from friends cf the miners, but no friend of the working man had neè. to shelter behind a non de p-lunic. (Hear, hear.) Ho had goo -,I reason for knowing that those correspond ftnts had no manner of claim to be considered friends f t the working man. He was convinced that legislation on the eight hours', question was indispensable, and thev had a ce)- tain class "I pec*ple among them who would at all times override any arrangements that might be mad?. Assuming that half an hour less per day was workd by the 80,0C0 miners in South Wales and Mcnmouthsiiiro, that, in bad times, would give employment rto 5,000 more men.

THE FATAL MISADVENTURE kT NEATH. INQUEST AND VERDICT. On Monday an inquest was heid by the Neath Deputy Coroner on t he body of Mr' Evan Parker of Neath, whose cbeath was recorded in these columns yesterday. Thomas Parker, son of deceased, the first witness, said his father was 63 years of a^e Fe saw deceased at 1.30 on Saturday lying0 on the* floor of his house, snoring hard. and sleeping. He saw a medicine bottle standing 0,0 D 1 -1 th ta, le empty, and it was marked "une tablespoonful to be ■' fool at bed time. Wi.cness did not think anything had been troubling deceased, and he never knew him to have taken a drink of anythin-I intoxicating. ° John es, 3, Greer.wav-tereace (the son-in- law of deceased) said he fetched a bottle of medicine from Dr Thomas on Saturday, and gave it to deceased. He n-jver saw him drink anv strong drink. Mrs Parker, the widow of deceased, said her husband died on Saturday, about 5pm He had been out with her in the morning, and after returning home, about 1 p.m., be went upstairs. After dinner was ready she went upstairs and found him uiico/isc*iou,s on the ground, jmd an empty bottle on the table. He had been ill about five months, but she had never noticed anything strauge about him. She knew him to be a sober ri-An, but he complained of pains about the heart. Dr Lewis said he saw deceased about two p.m. on Saturday. He was unconscious, his face was livid, ho was bi-i-iUhiny -tl-swly SJKI heavily, hltJ reflex action was gone, and his pupils were con- tracted. From these symptoms and from smelling the bottle he had no dJubt deceased died frora taking hydrate of chloral. Dr Thomas said he had attended deceased in August last for inflammation of the kidnevs, and he had recently treated him for extreme nervous excitement. The medicine which deceased had taken on Saturday was hydrate of chloral and bromide of potash, 15 grains of each in a dose. The bottle held 16 doses, but eight doses, if taken at once, would prove fatal. I lie jury found tiiat deceased had "inadvertently taken an overdose cf medicine, which had produced death.

FOOTBALL. NORTH v SOCTH. This great match, originally fixed to be plavM at Kiacklieath on December 22nd, came off at on Monday in bitterly cold weather. The ground ha,d been carefully protected, but was nevertheless verv hard. Xheie were over 12,000 spectators. Wilkinson, of j Durham, displaced Strong in the North team. Aston did not assist the South, Johnston, of Black- heath, playing back, and Mitchell three-quarter Rogers kicked cff. for the South at 2.35. From a. pa. by Berry Valentine nearly got in, and .Johnstone foolishly trying to save a minor, was pushed into touch on the goal line. Some loose play followed ending in Toot-hill fccorin" a try for the North. Coop placed a goal. The South three-quarters then attacked well, Mitchell. Ghrislopherson, Leake, and Wood Mss- ing cleverly, but,-the ball rolling over the line, Bremen touched down and prevented a score. After a run by Valentine, Bromel scored a second try for the North, Coop failing at the nlace. The North thus led by a goal and a try within 15 minutes. j-he North pressed after this, but the South appeared less handicapped by the slippery condition than the orth countrymen. Play continued very vigorous y. butwithoat incident, for a few minutes, when Rother. ham picked up, cleverly passed to Leake, who trans- ferred to Christonherson, who nearly got in. After a scrimmage Rotherha-m scored a try foi the South, W oods placing a goal. Having gamed this advantage, the South attacked them again, but Coon relieved with a drop into touch. A free kick to the South gained nothing, and Berry and Lockwood kicking well, play was taken to the South 25. Valentine nearly got in, but passing to Richards, the latter was well tackled by Chnstopherson. Then a fine ran by Jowett resulted io ToothiH scoring a try. HALF-TIME SCORE. NORTH I goal, 2 tries. SOUTH i ^oai .10weir re-started, ami a scrimmage was at on/se formed in the South 25, Bromet nearly gaining another try for the North. South gradually worked their way (lown the ground, Leake and Potherham playin a capital game for their side. The North forwards worked with untiring energy, and, with a good kick, Lockwood relieved the pressure, and Jowett, and Kent carried the play to the Southern quarters, and South touched down after Lockwood had kicked over. Morrison, intercepting a pass, relieved, and ran half fiowil the held, passing Coop, but was overtaken. men, from a free kick, Wood nearly scored, the b;>JI falling a few yards sh-rt. The South pressed hard for a few minutes, Morrison being collared on the line. but Lockwood kicked into touch near the centre, and the same player, intercepting a pass from Romers to Chris. topherson, scored the best try of the afternoon, amidst tremendous applause. The point was not improved. North quickly attacked again, Lockwood doing brilliant woik, but there was little combination between the Northern backs. Play, however was carried right under the South posts, where Berry spoilt a fine chance. Pressure, however, was still maintained, and the game, which had been extremely open, became much closer. The North several times got right on to the South line, but did not increase their lead. FINAL SCORE NORTH l goal, 3 tries. .SOUTH l goal. North had a decided advantage towards the close Lockwood putting in another brilliant run. ENGLAND v. WALES. At the conclusion of the match between North and South the selection committee of the Rugby Union met at the Queen's Hotel, Leeds, and chose the follow- ing team to represent. England against Wal^s at New. port on Saturday nextW. G. Mitchell (Richmond and Kent), back; P. Christopherson (Blackheat-h and Alderson (Hartlepool Rovers and Durham), and R. E. Lockwood (Heckmondwike ?nd Yorkshire!! • three-quarter backs J. Berry (Tyldeslev and Lancal' shire) and W R. M. Leake (Harlequins and Surrevt half backs; 1. Kent (Salford and Lancashire) R /p a? (Liverpool Old Boys and Lancashire), J. Toothili (Bradford and Yornsmre), Richards (Bracford a,1111; Yorkshire), 11". E. ]3rotuet, (Tadcast-er and Yorkshire), I). Jowett (Heckmondwike and Yorkshire) E H S rnicki /hrd L?^el''ity a!!d Kent), R. p.' Budworti blackheafh and Kent), and S. M. J. Woods (Cam. bridge University and Somerset), forwards. COGA- v. ALEXAXDRA (Llanelly).-This match was CoSan Boxing Day, before a fair number i §°.me> which was of an ere« ,l1' in a win for the visitors by a ° minors to nil. T. Davies scored the try. 'i'he "™w,n? represented the Alexandra :-Back. R. Lvne ;■ J- Davies, J. Arthur. W. Lewis, ^"backs- D- Hopkins and B. Thomas •' iorwara^ Lewis, D. Thomas, W. Davies, W. Pedley. Mr L Bavie n^' ^evarij anc* Davies- Umpire, 1O,?OWL-A^ V- PORTH.—1This match was played at Dow io- un.^a.t,Vrr'a>'> and ended in an easy w*in for Dow- tries and 5 minors to nil. was iR? I'NIJ,ED v" FAI? OAKS.-The return match Wn • 011 tl!0 «T0U"'1 of the former on Saturdav avSntlV'm>^r of •sli^ta0tora-, A fast game ended in a victory for Mamdee by 2 goals and 4 minors to 1 trv 6 minors. T,^DF.ORP V- E'ARBARIANS.-Played at Bradford • "5 Barbarians won the toss and Bradford r,laved tlle Srst half against the wind. At the very com- mencemtnt St-oddart got a try for the visitors, and Alderson converted. Late in the half Povle got a goal from a free kick. and so equalised matters, and from this point the game was an equal struggle, with never more than ono point of difference. final score: Bradford, 2 goals, 1 try Barbarians, 2 goals. DERBT COUXTV V. LONDON CASUALS.—Played at n i', Final rc^.ilt—Casuals, 10 goals; Derby County, 2. In the first half the visitors plaved a good SCnTdfrls'a"d, 3ed-at ^eiL4vall,v s1x „ i V V,'e secend portion the Ufcsuals added loui „oa.s to the County s two.and won easilv as above, The winners played a good game, the County bein: altogether out of form. OYVIV °*1?SDA^ I^ARWEM.—Result—Wednesday, 7 goalh Parwen, 3. Played at Sheffield on Mondav m hitterly cold weather, before 6,CD0 suectalari