South Wales Daily News

DRINKING DENS IN CARDIFF. On Sunday several members of the Cardiff .Police Force were actively employed in raiding chouses where it was suspected that breaches of the licensing laws were being committed. At 45, Mary Ann-street, P.C.'s Dixon and Gregory seszed a j-gallon cask, with drinking utensils. SP.C.'s Green and Davies took a +%- Ion cask from No. 2, Stanley-street, occupied by Catherine Welsh, and the same officers 'efifected a similar capture at 44, Mary Ann-street, ? occupier, Ellen Burt. At 50, Helen-street, occu- pied by Maria Lewis, Acting Sergeant Morgan and P.C. Hares seized a 41/a-gallon cask, and in Grangetown, at No. 7, North-street, Sergeants Ferris and Read and P.C. Phelps were equally successful. P.C.'s Davis and Green took a cask from 17, Humphrey-street, occupier, Elizabeth O'Keete, and P.C,'s Dixon and Gregory raided 13, Mary Ann-street, to similar purpose, the occupier being Joanna O'Brien,

PRECAUTIONS AGAINST SMALL-POX. MEASURES NECESSARY FOR CARDIFF. The fact that recently there has been a case of virulent small-pox at Cogan, shows the necessity there is for preparations by the local health authorities to deal promptly with any manifestation of th9 disease in Cardiff itself. An epidemic of some severity is presently in progress in many part3 of the kingdom, and, unfortunately, port tewns are peculiarly liable to infection. It therefore be- hoves the Health Committee to take such measures as will insure speedy isolation cf the victims to the disease, should it make its presence fclc in our midst. One of our representatives had a conversation on Saturday in respect to this matter with a medical gentleman whose experience renders his opinions of lUnch value" Tbere is a fever hospital at Canton, erected by the health authorities to serve as a temporary aboue until the permanent and extensive buildings, now in course of construction, are finisned, he said, but the accommodation is far too limited. There are only 24 beds in all, and these are nearly filled just now with scarlet fever patients. A very serious epidemic of small- pox is in progress in m ny populous distrieti of the country, and it is perhaps too much to hope that Cardiif will escape entirely. A curious feature of the present outbreak is that it is carried from town to town by tramps. The general stagnation of work, I suppose, has led to a greater number of the unemployed moving about from place to place, and this accounts for the way in which infection is rapidly transferred from one industrial centre to another. In to-day's Medical Journal it says In London there are 30 case-! and 5 deaths from small-pox, the disease being largely spread by tramps. During the fortnight ending February 4th there were 63 admissions to the hospitals in the Metropolitan District, as against 33 in the preceding fortnight.' So you see there is a steady growtii in the number of cases. In Man- chester on February 1st there had been a total of 327 small-pox cases reported, in addition to 40 from the out districts, and during the last week 44 fresh cases came to light. From Darlington, Southampton, Leicester, and the Midlands, similar reports come, and tho worst thing is that the severity of the type of disease is increasing as it extends 1D area." What measures, in your opinion, should be taken by the Sanitary Authorities, seeing that the town is presently free from the disease? Well, as the shed near the Hamadryad is devoted to typhus cases, of which there are, I believe, some still to be found in the neighbour- hood of the recent out I reak, I should suggest that the scarlet fever patients should be taken away from the Canton hospital, and that building should be rpserved for instant use if, unhappily, it be required for the reception of sufferers from small-pox. We ought to be prepared for emergencies. There is no use in having hurried meeting of the sanitary authority and doctors when the epidemic is amongst us. The health people should settle details beforehand, and if the disease comes its force wiil be abated by the mere fact that there will be no panic, tho public being assured that all necessary steps are being taken for their safety. Small-pox is one of those things that induces popular fear, and the knowledge that the sanitary authorities can deal efficiently and promptly with every case that occurs will be worth a great deal in itself. This advice seeiri3 reasonable enough, and we commend it to the attention of the Health Cont- mittee. ACTION AT MERTHYR. The weekly meeting of the Merthyr Board of Guardians was held on Saturday under tha a presidency of Mr D. P. Davies, J.P.-Alderman Thomas Williams, J.P., said be thought the time had come, having reference to the epidemic else- whoro of sir.all-pox, for them to issue bills and notices requesting people to be re-vaccinated, lie moved a resolution to this effect.—Mr Thomas Thomas, Aberdare, seconded the motion, and spoke in favour of every precaution being taken by all local authorities in view of the possible 'invasion of smah-pox.—Mr Thomas Thomas, Aberdare, gave notice of motion, That the attention of the Aberdare Board of Health be drawn to the desirability of appointing a tem- porary trained nurse for the Aberdare Small-pax Hospital in view of the outbreak of infecticus diseases in the district."

RHONDDA LAB"UR AND LIBERAL I ASSOCIATION. Atthe last meeting of the Executive Committee of the above Association, Mr J. Griffiths, Porth, presiding, the following resolutions were passed with unanimity :— That this meeting of the Executive of the RhondJa Labour and Liberal As.-ociation regard with satisfac- tion the measures of reform announced in the Queen's Speech, and pledges itself to do all in its T)o>ver in support of the Government to carry through success- fully a policy of thorough," and trusts that all Liberals throughout the length and breadth of the land will join hands and heart with them to foil the extraordinary effort-—not always creditable-of the enemies of all reform to discredit the Administration and retard all useful and necessary legislation. That this Association learn with pleasure that it is the intention of the Government to deal with the laws relating to the registration of voters, and is convinced that a thorough reform in this direc ion is imperatively called for. That this Association give its warm approval to the Bill drafied by" r Cyril Dodd for the amendment of the mode of appointing county magistrates and the removal of the present unfair qualification. That this Association tender its gratitude to the members of the Government, and more especially to the Right Hon. A. J. Mundella, M.P and T. Bnrt, M.P., for the signal services they aie now rendering to the cause of In hour in the formation of a Labour De- partment, and records its great satisfaction with the assurance of Mr MundfUa. that woikraen will have adequate representa ion on th proposed Department; also trusts that the proposed Conciliation and Arbitra- tion Board will be successfully organised.

DON'T MISS THIS WEEK'S ISSUE of thf Cardiff Times and South Wales Weekly News." If is the popular weekly journal of the Principality. Full of i right stories, special articles, and the weekTs news for One Penny. The foremost novelists of the day write to- its COll'mna,

INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL. IRELAND AND THE LLANELLY MATCH. We understand that at the meeting cf the Welsh Rugby Union Committee at Cardiff on Saturday a communication from the Irish Union was read. The contents were not made public, but there is reason to believe that they embodied ''n objection to the locale of the forthcoming Wales V. Ireland mnteb, viz., at Llanelly.

3 ;e NORTH MEATH. Mr Jeremiah Jordan (M'Carthyite) and Mr J. J. Dal ton (Pamellite) have been nominated as candidates for the Parliamentary representation of North Meath.

THE WALSALL RESULT. On Saturday afternoon, in the Temperance Hal!, Walsall, Sir Arthur Hay er, MP., fnrmally thanked his workers for their exertions on his behalf, and he and they congratulated each other on the result. The male workers presented him with a pair of fine spurs, and the female workers gave Lady Hayter a safety stirrup, both of Walsall manufacture, and held to be, in this case, symbolical of a victorious combat and a safe seat. At the close two or three thousand people with much cheftring escorted the new M.P. and his wife to the railway station, and saw them off to London.

I GATESHEAD. I On Saturday night Mr Ralli, Unionist candi- date for Gateshead, opened his campaign by addressing a crowded meeting in Gateshead Town-hall, where, on the previous night, Mr Allan, the Liberal candidate, had spoken to a very large audience. Mr Allan is fighting the battle largely upon Labour principles-taxation of ground values, an liight Hours Bill, and abolition of tho House of Lords being given most prominence by him. Mr Allan was at one time a sea-going engineer, and is now an eng.neer at Sunderland. The constituency is purely industrial. Like the neighbouring con- stituency of Hexham, Gateshead is full of un- certainty. PREVIOUS ELECTIONS. 1886. 1S92. James (L) unopposed James (L) 5,356 Balli ((J) 5,043 I Majority 293

IMPORTANT COLLIERY. CASE AT ABERDARE. This case, which had occupied his Honour Judge Gwilym Williams two previous days, was resumed at the Aberdare county court on Satur- day. Tne action was entered by Mr Thos. Evans, who was represented by Mr David Lewis, recorder of Swansea (instructed by Messrs Morgan and Hhy., Pontypridd), who sued the Powell Duffryn Company, fur whom Mr C. Kensholeappeared, for the sum of £ 2112s, alleged to be payable under the custom of the district, because he wa3 working in a stall out of which two headings had been turned off, and which should therefore be paid at heading prices. Evidence for the defence had been partly heard the previous day, and was now resumed.— Evidence was given by Mr Jacob Ray, Mr J. P. D. Williams, Mr John Reynolds, Mr Hehemiah Phillips, Mr John Williams (Cyfnrthfa), Mr Rees Davies, Mr Gtoffray Morgan, Mr Win. James, and Mr Win. Hughes all testifying that the alleged custom did not exist.—Rebutting evidence was then called on behalf of the plaintiff, the first witness called being Mr Thos. Richards, Miner*' agent, who deposed he was miners' agent for the Ebbw Vale and Sirhowy men for the past fivo years and a collier all his lifetime. The custom in his district was tha- directly a heading was turned off a stall the stall was paid for as a head- ing, but generally after the man was paid level prices he was expected to keep it wider, but whether he was asked to keep the wider or not he was paid level prices. -Mr T. Morgan, collier, Abernant, Mr T. D. Isaac, and Mr Thomas Thomas gave similar evidence, after which his Honour said he would take time to consider his decision.

WELSH FOOTBALL UNION. THE CHALLENGE CUP DRAW. A committee meeting of the Welsh Football Union was held at the Angel Hotel, Cardiff, on Saturday, Mr E. Rees in the chair. Messrs Treatt, A. J. Davies, Richards, and the secretary were present. The entries for the Chal lenge Cup comiietition were drawn as follows :— FIRST DIVISION.—FIRST ROUND (before March 4). A—Newport Second v. Abercarn. B-Itisca. v. Pillprwenlly. C-Maindee, a bye. I)-Pontymister, a bYEt. SECOND ROUND (March 4 or 11). E—Maindee v. winner of B. F—Pontymister v. winner of A. THIRD HOUND (March 18). O-Winner of F v. winner of K. SECOND Di VISION-I,*IRsT ROUND (before March 4). II— Llandaff v. Copaii. I—Grangetown, a bye. J—Cardiif Star, a bye. lv—Penarth Second, a bye. SECOND itOUND (March 4 or 11). Jj—Gransjetowu v. w liner of H, M—Penarth Second v. Cardiff Star. THIRD ROUND (March 18). N-Winner of M v. winner of L. THIltD DIVISION-FIRST ROUND (March 4). O-Llwynypi3. v. I'ev.ygr..iK Second. P—Dowlais v. Pontypridd Second. SECOND ROUND (March 18). Q—Winner of P v. winner of O. FOURTH DIVISION—FIRST ROUND (Maroh 4). R-Pontardulais v. Neath econd. SEMI-FINALS (March 25). S-Winnet of G v. winner of Q. T-Willuer of R v. winner of N. FINAL (April 1). U-Winncrs of R and T ou neutralliround. First clubs have choice of ground. The appeal against the decision of the referee in the Neath and Aspull match was deferred till next meeting.

LATE SHIPPING NEWS. [LLOYD'S TELEGRAMS.] The British barque Kate If, Troop, from Glasgow for the Jtiver Plate, has arrived at Falmouth with main- mast sprung and with loss of fore and main topgallant masts and sails split. The steamer Tangier, from Galveston, with cotton, which has arrived at Hamburg, reports that while at sea a fire broke out aboard. She is discharging her cargo iuto lighters. 'Ihe British steamer Lynton for Alexandria, has returned to Malta with fuun 1 adrift. The Danish barque Sir John Franklin, from London for Copenhagen, has been towed into Frederickshaven abandoned. The British schooner Vesper, from St. Martin's, with salt, was abandoned on the 21st January partially dia .tasted. The crew were landed at Gravesend on Suuda. The brig Amy A. Lane left the Downs on Sunday for Lo don, reported leaky. The steamer f-t. Roitans grounded outside New Y bar, but sot off safely and proceeded. 'u

It CARDIFF. RE-UNION OF GERMAN RESIDENTS.—Another of the pleasant re-unions which which take place periodically at the Royal Hotel, of the Teutonic residents in Cardiff, was held on Saturday night, and proved most enjoyable. Host Harman pro- yided a menu which contained anumbel' of favourite national dishes, while beakers of lager beer were patriotically quaffed. During dinner the company joined in singing glees-- a sensible German device to aid digestion and promote good-fellowship. At the head of the table sat Herr Rounfeldt,- senr., who presided genially over a company which comprised Herren Pastor Oehlkers. Martin, Schliemann, Baseiow, Schramm, Hartinann, Petti. Biermann, Trub- mann, Sturm, Eichmann, Kerpen, Harmann, Wauer, Vogel, Kloth, Mollendorf, Wohmann, Jo"ephi. &0. TIID LABOUR CHUBCH.—The service on Sunday night in the St John's Hall w;is presided over by Dr Ashley Bird, of Penarth, while Dr Rhys Jones discoursed upon the Christian side of the labour movement. The service was opened with a "labour hymn," accompanied on the pianoforte; by Miss Wiiinie Fergusson, aud then ensued ;u period of devotional silence. A few verses from St Paul were read by Mr Richard Davies, and then the doctor delivered his address, which was characterised by much thoughtfulness. Mr S. G. Hobson speaks next Sunday night on the possi- bilities of the Labour Church. A FATAL FALL.—Cornelius Hanshawe, aged 39, fell down a flight of steps at his resIdence on January 23th. He was found and attended to by Bridget Govan and a man named Muiphy, but as he remained unconscious they called in the police and had him conveyed to the Infirmary. Here he gradually sank unti1 Saturday morning, when he difd of concussion of the brain nnd exhaustion. ACCIDENT.—Henry Day, ag-eù 39, labourer, of 24, Humphrey-street, was admitted to the In- firmary on Saturday evening, suffering from a fractured leg. While walking down Bute-street he stepped on a piece of orange peel and fell, causing the injury described. He was attended to by Dr Turner. THE CHAnGE AGAINST MR M'KKCHNIE.— Mr Arthur Franklyn Newton writes I Udg to state that I atr. not the Arthur Iscwton who appeared as a witness in tho M Kechme case at the Cardiff police-court on Friday. The witness Arthur Newton has connection with the firm of J. Newton & Co., whose business as tailors is carried on by my father, Mr John Newton, and myself at 53, Queen-street.

NEWPORT. SUDDEN DEATH.—On Saturday Mr Edmund Manchip, contractor at the dock, residing at Coomassie-street, visited the docks as usual, and then 'returned home prior to going up town. Whilst in the house he was taken suddenly ill, and falling back in a chair, expired. The deceased had suffered from long-standing bronchial trouble, and had been under the care of Dr McGinn.

SWANSEA. A NARROW ESCAPE.-Late on Friday night P.C. Tasker, whilst on duty at the East Dock, heard ciies for help, and on gi ing in the direction they came from he found a man in the new ciit, where ho must have fallen a distance of 25 feet, By means of a life-line he was brought ashore, little the worse for his adventure. His name is William Jones, of Cardiff, a fireman on board the s.s. Thomas Haynes. SWANSEA HOSPITAL. The Secretary begs leave with be,t thanks to acknowledge the rcceipt ot £ 1 Is most kindly contributed by Workmen's Club, Aberdare a surgical splint from Mr John Goodridge, and 100 empty cigar-boxes from Mr E. A. Camp, High-street, FANCIERS' ASSOCIATION.—The third shew in connection with the Swansea, and District Fanciers' Association was held at the Drill-hall, Morriston, on Saturday, when prizes were given for poultry. pigeons, cage birds, rabbits, and cats. The entries were numerous, and the show was a great success both as regards exhibits and attend- ance. The judges were Poultry, Mr J. G. Rosser, Neath cage birds, Mr LI. Llewellyn pigeons, rabbits, and cats. Councillor Viner feeder, Swansea. Mr D. Walter, II, Sadler- street, Landore, was a most efficient secretary. CHARITIES BALL.—This delightful re-union was held on Friday night-and extended into the early hours of Saturday—aud it was a great success from every point of view. The Albert- hall was most tastefully decorated, and nothing was wanting for the cotr.fort of the ctahcer?. thanks to the extreme thoroughness with which thanks to the extreme thoroughness with which the secretary (Mr A. T. 0'ullivan) and the com- mittee had organised the affair. Dancing com- menced at about 9.30, and so entirely did all present throw then,selves into the enjoyment that it was after after four o'clock when the last dance was over. The music wag provided by Mr Hulley's County Band, the excellently served supper by Messrs Davies and Fitt, the wines by Mr F. E. Williams, while the tasteful decorations were by Messrs B. E. Williams, Evans, and Co.

BRIDGEND. POSTAt,The Post Office authorities have at length decided to remove the business of the local office to new and suitably-situated premises at the corner of Caroline-street and Queen-street. The lack of accommodation has been a cause of com- plaint for years. THE CKWETRRY QUESTION.—The vendors of a site for a public cemetery have dropped their purchase money from £3,000 to £ 1,500. The latter offer was considered by the Local Board on Thursday night, and further adjourned.

PONTARDAWE. FUNERAL.-The mortal remains of the late much-beloved David Lloyd were interred on Thursday at the burying place belonging to the Soar Baptist Chapel, Yetalyfora. The deceased was treasurer and one of the deacons at Adullam Baptist Church. He had reached the matured age of 74, and the large concourse of people that attended his funeral demonstrated the high esteem in which he was held throughout the neighbourhood. The officiating ministers were:- Revs E. R. Evans, Pontardawe (pastor), T. V. Evans, Clydarh R. D. Phillips, Ynistawe W. Jones, Ystalyfera D. Price, Owmtwrch J. Morgan (C.M.), and J. T. Davies (I ) Pont- dawe; J. Evans, and -T. Griffiths, B.A. (I.), Yrttalvfera. The deceased was uncle to Rev. E. George, Argoed.

MERTHYR. BOARD OF GUARDIANS. At the weekly meeting on Saturday, Alderman Thomas Williams moved that the report of the Laundry Committee, recommending that a steam laundry be erected at the Merthyr Wo-khouse, be adopted. At present, he pointed out, the arrangements for washing were quite inadequate, and the women employed were little better than slaves. They had even to work on Sundays. Besides, the new steam laundry would be utilised in connection with the cooking, and it would result in the saving of great labour. The total cost of the building and fittings would be about JB650. and this amount he would propose to borrow from the Public Loan Commissioners. There was, according to a statement furnished by the clerk, only about £1.626 still owing on the loan for the Workhouse buildings.—Mr J. W. Morgan, Hirwain, had much pleasure in seconding the proposition, and he pointed cut that the laundry would ultimately be the means of saving expenses.— The Rev Llewellyn Jenkins observed it was highly unsatisfactory that the laundry work should have been done on a Sunday, and he thought the master should have informed the Board of the circumstance before.—Mr David Davies pointed out that the master had on several occasions pointed out the scarcity of women, although none of the Guardians appeared to have been aware that the work was done on the Sabbath.—Mr John Rogers, Cefn, supported the motion, and commented upon tho) samtary advantages which would be derivable from the establishment of a Irttindry.-Altierm.,tn Thomas Williams hoped the impression would not go out that they worked all day on Sunday, but occa- sionally it was necessary to do some work on Sundnys,-The motIOn was carried unanimously. A committee was then appointed to obtain plans and other particulars. SUDDEN DEATH IN CYFARTHFA WORKS,—On Sunday afternoon D;Lvid Cook, 51, of 4, Union- street, who was employed at the Cyiarthfa Works as a messenger, was found lying on his face iu a pool of water at the works. It was supposed he had fallen down in a tit, and when he was picked up it was found he was dead. He was last seen alive at half-past two o'clock, when he was sitting down near a pillar.

ABERDARE. POSTAL FACILITIES.—Money order business, savings' bank, postal order, and Inland Revenue business is now transacted at the Aberdare Post- office from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

AN AMERICAN COLLEGE BURNED BY A MOSLEM MOB. A Constantinople correspondent telegraphs :— The American Legation here has leceived news that the American Girls'College at Marsovan, under Dr Herrick, was burned last week by a Moslem mob. It appears that many placards were posted in Marsovan and the neighbourhood in the name of a Turkish com- mittee. On» of these was plaeed upon the College walls. Dr. Herrick took it down, and went to the Governor to explain that it had not b^en placed by his authority, and that he had no sym- pathy with the person-) who had placed it there. The Governor other could not, or did not, protect the College. Dr. Herrick is well known as a man devoted to education, and not the least likely to taka part in a political agitation.

CADBURY S COCOA. — "A Cocoa possessing valuable fleih-formpag qualities and impartbigstrenitb and staying TJOWN. Health 1hO FITS OR EPILEPSY.—Giddiness, Sensations Fa nts. However many years the disease may have existed, however complicated a case may be, do not despair, there is still hope. Write to the Secre- tary," Bui-wood House, B uwood-piace, Hyde Park, "oudon. He will send you Gratia full instructions s advice on diet ^681

SOUTH WALES NOTES. [BY COSMOS.] A VICTORY TINGED WITH SORROW. THE great triumph of Cardiff on Saturday over Newport was not productive of un- adulterated rejoicing. There was a decided feeling of sorrow that the splendid record had at length been broken. Everj?body would have been better satisfied if the match had terminated in a draw. Now that the end of the season is within measurable distance one would prefer that Newport should keep "its laurels untarnished. Of course, defeat must have come sooner or latee. A team gets both stale and careless, and, as OIl Saturday, undervalues its opponents. While Newport gave a miserable exhibition of its .splendid combination, Cardiff never before played with so much vigour or enthusiasm. Something in praise must be said of Newport in risking its wonderful reputation on such an awful quagmire. True, it was the same for both teams, but experience teaches us that a bad condition of ground is generally against the favourite. But Newport was outplayed on Saturday. The manner in which Elliott pounced upon Phillips was astonishing, even in these days of lightning half-backs? The latter mighL have secured the ball, but he seldom had a chance of passing it. Elliott was like a cat on a mouse, and has certainly found his right place at last. But I aiii afraid that he will not be available for Cardiff next year, for lie talks of going to sea. FOOTBALL MANIA. THIS match created so much interest that people—among whom were many ladies— took up their places in the grand stand quite two hours before the play com- menced Was it the fashion or the game which drew the fairer sex ? Can they know anything about the mysteries of touch, try, and twenty-five ? But the ordinary spec- anything about the mysteries of touch, try, and twenty-five ? But the ordinary spec- tator's lore is comprised in two cries. They are not difficult to acquire. When your own side has got the ball, you shout out, Well played!" When tho other has obtained it, you roar out, Off side." But, really, a crowd like that on Saturday is a remarkable spectacle. The wild excitement into which it flings itself when a point is gained must be seen to be realised. Some of this ecstacy is due to pecuniary pleasure, but the great bulk is de- rived from pure partisanship. I don't think that affection for the pastime enters much into their transports of undiluted joy. At Nottingham during a great cricket match the crowd v?iIl emphatically applaud both sides, but- in South Wales football the cheers are limited to local players. There is this difference, however. A cricket, crowd is thoroughly acquainted with the game, and rarely has any money on it a ioctball crowd does not know much of the game, and has generally backed its club. CARDIFF ENTERPRISE ABROAD. I WAS unaware when writing of the dis- covery of petroleum in Algiers that Mr Paynter, the leading spirit in connection with the enterprise, is a Cardiff man. He is well-known at the docks, and was, I believe, for some years in the office of M. Guerec. At the present time the coin- pany has not done much more than sink a few superficial wells, which soon fill with the oil, but it is in hopes of probing a lake, when the oil is expected to burst forth as it does at Baku. I had a chat the other day with the Bear Creek man. He is not alarmed. He intimated that his firm was not going to put up the shutters just yet. He says at Bear Creek they put a log of wood in at one end of the machine and it comes out at the other a barrel of petroleum. As for quality— why, it's equal to any whisky they sell in Cardiff public-houses. When I told him that they would not want casks in Algiers, but would run the fluid down in pipes, he merely uttered, Bah." Evidently he is not frightened. SOUTH WALES STEEL TRADE. THE representatives of the steel workers made a further step at Merthyr on Satur- day, with a view of "getting out of the wood," and the net result appeal's to be that the employers will be asked to confer with them at an early date for the pur- pose of restoring the sliding scale principle for the regulation of wages. Trade continues to be very bad,and I rather think the workmen—or, at all events, the great majority of them-are quite as sick as the employers of the uncertainty of things. If the employers cannot take contracts with confidence, the workmen have to suffer from the depression, and if there is depression, the rate of wages must inevit- ably go down. There is, therefore, a strong desire shown by many of the work- men themselves for a more settled condi- tion of things, and the employers will be asked to consent to the establishment of a sliding-scale for all the steel-workers and mechanics who adhere to such a principle. If that, by reason of its exclud- ing a few sections here and there, is not deemed feasible, then the employers will probably be invited to con- sider the advisability of a sliding-scale ar- rangement being formulated by a joint committee for application to three works only—Dowlais, Cyfarthfa, and Tredegar- where the workmen are convinced that a properly based scale is more equitable and desirable than no scale or arrangement at all. WHICH IS THE Tit [IE VERSION ? e I I HAVE been asked the following question :— Dear Sir,—Having written to you before when you did me then excellent service, therefore, I write you again, hoping to obtain similar notice. In the year 1839, father lrft home in Carmar- thenshire under the influence of his young friends and associates, and tramped all the way to Quaker's Yard, where he had work en Pont y Jones, the Taff Vale Railway being then con- structed. During that year the Chartist agita- tion arose, and I heard him describing how the men passed their time in fear, how many men slept in centres of the bridge, and others out on The mountain, also of the memorable Sunday night, when a great number of men from tha chapel services, and in heavy rain, left for the scene of action. being an invalid, and in bed for nearly six years, not able to do anything but reading and withont any pain I enjoy reading immensely, recently I hnve com- pleted the second volume of Hanes y Brython- iaed a'r Oymry" by the Jate Gwirys ap Rhys, published by William Mackenzie, Glasgow, London, and Swansea. Herein 1 read a brief ac- count of the Chartist movement, and also the nainf-s of the leaders, and herearises my difficulty. The names of the leaders I had heard and read of before, viz., John Frost, Tophania Williams, and William Jones, but here we have the'name of one Ernest Jones as leader. Both statements cannot be correct. Hence my question, which is the trum version ? THOS. EDWARDS. Llatty Ifor, Mountain Ash. Both William Jones and Ernest Jones were leaders of the Chartists. The latter was associated with Feargus O'Connor in London, while the former was engaged in South Wales. But my recollections are very dim, and I have no book by me to refresh my memory. Perhaps some kind friends can spare a volume in relation to it for a bedridden student. Mr Atherley Jones, M.P. for North-West Durham, is a son of Ernest Jones. MORE ABOUT THE ARAB. I SHOULD have thought that my notes on Arab horses would have interested a few experts at the outside, but I find that they are appreciated by a wider circle than a mere horsey one. A complimentary reader sends nie the following extract "In General Dauinas' 'Horses of the Sahara he insists that the Arabs not merely prefer mares, but maintain that they are longer lived. The horse is fit for work twenty-five years, the mare twenty-five to thirty years.' Of this period of endurance a proverb runs Seven years for my brother's use seven years for my own and seven years for my enemy.' The inaro is preferred for an expedition be- cause she dees not neigh; and is more insensible to hunger, thirst, and heat." Surely this superiority in mares is not recognised in England. It is said to be a proof that a horse is pure-bred when he will not eat barley out of a strange nose-bag and when he stirs up the water with his foot before drinking. As soon as a foal is born, all the men and women of the tribe set up a shouting, beating of brazen vessels, and a general all-round row and a colt accustomed to such noises from its birth is never after- wards known to shy at anything. One of the first lessons taught is to stand stock-still when the rider dismounts. He throws the bridle over the horse s head, and lays a stone upon the reins, and the horse will remain without moving, though ten or twenty be similarly tethered around him. The Arabs will not have a horse that does not lie down nor ono that whisks his tail when running. An Arab story is 1 that the lion and the horse disputed t. which had the better eyesight. boasted that, on a .dark night, he deetcted the presence of a white hair in a vessel Of milk. The horse recognised a black hair III tar. The latter was held to indicate Lhe ■superior vision. It is somewhat curious that General Daumas repeatedly insists that a very good horse has, by nature, a very short tail.

CARDIFF POOR-LAW GUARDIANS. PROPOSED NEW BUILDINGS. A meeting of Cardiff Board ot Guardians held on Saturday—DrPainepresidmg.—Mr D. T. Alexander asked how long it was intended tb<j plans of the proposed new Union imiidingsshouM |n> in the clerk's office, and when they would bfl brough: before the General Purposes CoTniiiittee. The Cierk replied that the Building Sub- committee had to consider the Tramp Ward, and when they had settled tht the matter would be ripe for the General Ptirl?OBO Committee, which would meet on Tuesday next- — Mr Alexander asked what the cost of the new buiichngs would likely be,-The Chairman: I take it that tll,t will be re- ported to us on Tu,-s(i ay. T I i o Clerks When the matter comes up that will be gone into.—Mr Alexander I should like the members of the General Purposes Committee W know beforehand what the cost would likely b8, so that they might know better what to (ic, The Cierk I don't think the cost has beeB sufficiently gone into ye t. lir A,exi,n,ier: } Is it Itkvly to b) £ 20,000 ? — Coun-. cillor F. J. Beavan: Oh, dear, no. It was roughly stated the other day at less than that. Mr Alexander Shall we be called upon for £ L2,0C0?—Councillor Beavan No; not even rough ly stated the other day at less than that,- Mr Alexander Shall we be called upon for £ L2,0C0?—Councillor Beavan No; not even £ 8,000.—Mr Alexander suggested that the clerk be instructed to furnish a return showing the I total amount of money expended on the present buildings from tha beginning.—The Clerk, said ho had no objection to give the return and, on the motion of Councillor Beavan, the nc-cessary instruction was given. The chairman and the vice-chairman (Mr O. H. Jones) were appointed to attend the Royal Commission on the aged poor, and give evidonco on behalf of the Cardiff Guardians. It may be explained that the officials of the Board of Guardians have long felt the inadequacy of the existing provision made for them in tho .vay of accommodation. Not only are Mr A. J. Harris, the clerk, and his aseii-tants housed in offices which aro far too small for their require- monts, but it is also deemed expedient to bring at least twoof the relieving officers to a more central and better defined habitation. Messrs Seward and Thomas, architects, were therefore instructed to prepare plans for a new set of offices on the space available at the Union itself, and this has been done. Although the area is restricted, they have designed a handsome and commodious building, of proportions suited to the needs of the officials, and their plans have, as stated, been on view for some time at the clerk's office in Queen-street. Members have thus had an oppor- tunity of seeing for themselves what amount of extension is possible on the existing site, but the Board is in no wise pledged to the scheme,, Board is in no wie pledged to the scheme,, which will be fully discussed at the meeting of the General Purposes Committee on Tuesday. ¡

THEATRICAL GOSSIP. I Sir Augustus Harris went to Paris on Thurg- day, whence he will proceed to Berlin, to en- deavour to arranga for a series ot reprenencations m London this season of Wagner's operas in German. -0 The Moore and Burgess I%Iinstrels' Company, ¡ schelne proved so acceptable to the public that already another company is being formed to work the business in the prov inces. It cannot be said now that the minstrels have never performed out of London." but their visits to the country.] have been, like those of angels, few and far be-1 tween. Mr Moore thinks there is a rich field to; be worked, and doubtless there will be many to back his opinion. The provincial company is to' a capital of £ 40,000. --0- One cannot but be amused at the persistency f with which the modern tticatre I- attacked,and the persistency with which it survives. The attackers 1 change their names, but their natures and their! effectiveness never vary new National Observer' is but old Saturday Review writ—shall we say' broad ? In its latest issue the iY. 0. takes occa-, sion to declare, quite airily, that the drama,' never was sunk so deep in the slough of incompetence as in these times;" and patronises'1, with tha drollest unconsciousness of the fun of the thing—not only Mr Henry Arthur Jones and Archdeacon Farrar, but IVJ. Dumas fils, who is, it should seem, utterly devoid of humour." --o Mr Henry Irving reached the age of 55~years on Monday, the date of his production of Bccket at the Lyceum, where his enthusiastic admirers in pit and gallery did not forget to express in stentorian tones their desire for "Many happy returns of the day." "That is the sweetest re- membrance I have had," responded the actor, who, it may be remarked, now includes three high dignitaries "f the Church in his repertoire, Beeket proving a worthy successor to Cardinal Richelieu and Cardinal Wolsey. We nuy also c'tH attention to the fact that for the second time within a year Mr Terriss is playing a King at the Lyceum. That he is every inch a king will be most certainly admitted by all who see his latest impersonation. -0- A disagreeable accident, which might have had serious consequences for Madame Kaulich, the o;>era-si.'iger, happened on Thursday at the Opera House, Vienna. In the Kheingold the three Rhine daughters have to swim and sing at the same time, and complicated machinery enables them to rise and sink in what appears to bal water. A hitch in the machinery caused the workman to turn the wheel too fast, and Madame Kaulich fell from a considerable height on to the floor of the stage. She fainted, and though unhurt, was so indignant when she came to agatn, that she couid not appear in the subsequent acts. Those who witnessed her fall are astonished that she did not suffer serious hurt. i- lie swimming roles in the RheingoM# were never sought after by the prima donnas of the Opera.

CORRESPONDENCE. -to- BunUL REFORM (Crematorium and Header).—Then a Church of England Burial Reform Association, with offices at 16, King-street, J.ondon, K.C., from whom no doubt :t variety of publications may be obtained. We are not sure whether there is another society, more especially devoted to cremation, of which Mrs Rose Mary Crawshay, Cyfarthfa Castle, is a promin- ent supporter. SEAPORT {:'il1oscriber).-Liverpool is the first seaport in the United Kirgdom, calculating imports and ex- ports. In exports alone Cardiff takes the lead, we believe. GIFT TO WIFE (Emlyn).—1The most secure way to give the furniture to your wife is by de.-a of gift, which a solicitor would prepare at a trifling cos;, the stamp oil which would be IrJs. But a mere delivery accom- panied by words of gift is suflkient, solong as youare solvent and there is t.o one to impeach the transac- tion. TITHE (Soarite).—The tithe-owner is bound to come and fetch his tithe. But if lie comas at a reasonable time and there is no one to pay it, then of course yoa Mould have to send it to him. GUARANTEE (A. W, W.),-A premise to "see the money paid," i.e. a guarantee is not legally binding unless in writing and signed. But if your promise w.s made in open Court, to the jiulgt-, he might be asked to treat your breach of it as a contempt of court, aud to ttne or commit you. WILL (Delta).— (U It is perfectly correct and usual to describe the children of a wife's or husband's brother cr sister as nephews and nieces." But in p. will the only thins; that matters is that the person must te described so that there can be n" reasonable doubt whom the testator meant. (2) There is not etiquette as to the appointment of executors. Some people prefer an executor to be one who takes nothing under the will. But where two specific slims are left to two persons, and all the residue to a third, it is clearly suitable and convenient to make him sole executor, as he then simply has to pay the legacies, and then there is no occasion for accounts. The alternation clause you set out is perfectly correct. Add tllll. worùs "as his last will" after testator."

FASHION'S INTRICACIES. The intricacies of fashion are rapidly creating a demand for a pictorial dictionary of colours, or rather shades, for the named which are now applied to them must be puzzling even to experts in such matters. It was bad enough about a year ago when the tint between peach and mauve was designated "Ophelia," but this season's tones seem likely to be still more per- ph-XIng to the uninitiated. Eminence" is one of these, a.nd it is defined as violet with a dash of deep red in it, and "Evegue" marks a distincti nuance in the same scale. A point which should not escape the tpmperance party is the indebted- ness of la mode to alcoholic drinks for some of the more sparkling hues. "Absinthe" and" Char- treuse" have estlthhshed themselves as regular lines" in greens, and now it is the turn of "Champagne" to be re-prisented as something like pink topaz with a dash of orange in it. Lie de vin is a heavy brownish crimson. It is regarded at present as evidence of not being up to date to speak of apricot as a shade, and this should be alluded to as "sunset pink." The question naturally arises—Who is responsible for the introduction of these subtleties of colour nomenclature ? Perhaps some day we shall fall back on the older order, and be taking of mulberry or murrey in the fashion columns.

LOCAL FAIRS FOR FEBRUARY. i Pontypridd 1 Carew 11 Tidgarth 2 Llnntrisant 13 Fishguard.. 5 Cardigan 13 Cardiff 6 Haverfordwest 14 Qowerton 6 Narberth 19 Aberystwyth 6 Llandovery 1» St Clear' 7 Lhuulilo £ 0 Capel St. Silvio 7 L*-t-terston 20 Brecon 7 IJansam'et 21 Newcastle Emlyn 10 Abergavenny 21 Llan-iyssil 11 Caerphilly 23 Alltwen (Pontardawe) II Pembroke 27 Llansawel 13 Crytumycll 28 j

LIVER COMPLAINTS.—Dr King's Dandelion and Quinine Liver Pills, without Mercury, remove all Liver and Stomach Complaints, Biliousness, Headache Sickness, Indigestion, Complaints. 1162 Munday's Liver Pills act direct upon the Liver: they contain no mercury, are suitable for all ages and climates, and without doubt are the best pill for bilousness, liver complaints, and indigestion Sold ill I boxes Is, 29 6d, and 4s 6d, post free, by the proprietor, 3 Munday, Chemist, 1, Hish-street, Cardiff 1205 DON'T MISS THIS \VEEK'S Issum of the "Cardiff Times and -outh Wales Weekly News." It is the popular weekly Journal of the Principality. Full | of bright stories special articles, and the week's nevrs I for One Penny. The,foremost, novelist of the day writ* t for its columns I

THE LARGEST, Best, and most widely read weekly papei published in the Principality is the Cardiff Times and South Wales Weekly News." A Magazine and Newspaper in one. It contains two serial stories, a comple Detective Story weekly, 20 special interesting features, and the news of the week. Order of your new agent, price One Penny THK VERY BEST BARGAIN for a penny is a copy of the "Cardiff Times and South Wales Weekly News. It is a large 72 column paper crow, ted full of new stories by popular novelists, special articles, and news of the week. Miss BRADPON'S NEW NOVEL, All along the River," has been secured for the Cardiff Times and South Wales Weekly News. The opening chapters appear in the cunent issue. Jerome K. Jerome, John Strange Winter, Dora Russell, and other famous novelists write for this favourite weekly. Secure a copy at once. A Magazine and Newspaper combined for a penny. 1

CARDIFF BUILDING STRIKE. ALL PARTIES IN COMMUNICATION. On Saturday afternoon a general meeting of the operative masons was held in the Gladstone Hall to consider and determine upon the latest sugges- tionm put before the representatives committee who ii,et the employers' committee on Thursday last. As has been previously explained iu tho South Wales Daily News, the suggestions refer ¡ particularly to the working rules governing sub- contracting, and the importation of worked atone. Mr Geo. Milsom presided, and thero was a very large meeting. The proceeding* were conducted iu private, and the points submitted were dis- cussed for fully three hours. We have been in- formed that, whilst the masons generally wers now unwilling- to give way in any particular, they decided to so modify their demand", so far as rules are concerned, as to permit of yet another joint meeting of their committee with that of the em- ployers for further and, if possible, final confer- ence. The employers' committee will meet the masons' committee again to-morrow or Wednes- day. the bricklayers still await a reply inviting them to meet the employers. The plasrerers have juat sent an intimation to the hon. secretary of the Master Builders' Association, saying they, too, are ogen for further exchange of confidences upon the points in dispute when it pleases the masters to name the date. As matter of fact, however, those two sections are really "sitting on the fence." Their interests are almcst identical with those of the. masons • the}' have been offered similar terms have declared themselves ready to accept terms such as those laid before the tttii- ployers by the masons and, with commendable conservation of time, energy, tempei, and money (which last is really no item of consideration with them even now) are vigilantly watching which way the breath of the Master Builders' Association will blow the proverbial straw. Thus all parties concerned in the strike are nosr in communication.

THE POOR CHILDREN'S DINNER FUND. Mr Samuel Hayes, of Custom House-street, Cardiff, writeg -I was very much surprised to find from Mr Percy Thomas's letter in your issuo of the 8th inst. that ho had not received LS from the people of Cardiff, apart from one generous donor's gift. After reading the appeal and your leader on the same, I wrote Mr Thomas suggest- ing that arrangements should be irade tc have a box at all our principal hotels and refreshment houses in the town where dinners are served, with the object of getting all persons who have been able to purchase a good dinner for themselves to contribute a single penny, which will provide a dinner for one of the many half-fed children in our town. If only two-thirds of the gentlemen who dine out would contribute one penny after every dinner they have, we should not be lacking funds for such a noble work as Mr Thomas has taken iu hand. The commercial travellers raise a large sum annually for their benevolent InstitutIOns by subscribing one penny per head, which is generally collected after every ordinary." My object in writing you is to prepare the various proprietors for our calling upon them to allow a box to be put in a prominent position in their dIning-room.

TnTn-- A NEW NOVEL. Lou," by Baron von Roberts, a translation of J which Mr William Hememann publishes in his "International "series of novels, is well worth readmg because of its striking originality. There is no plot in it worth speaking of. It is simply the story of a little negro lad in Paris, whose career, as the world wags now, might be regarded as of little account, and to which there is no climax of any importance. But the tale com- mands an interest which at times almost becomes fascinating. It is thoroughly realistic, but the realism is not applied to the baser portion of humanity, but to that which lays claim to respect- abiiity, and which may be regarded as superior socially and morally. The author "holds up the glass to Nature." One cannot help admiring th9 force and skill with which he works out his ethical purposes, and the ability of the writeraaastuden* of human nature.

THE PARK-HALL SERVICES. The series of special services which have been in progress in the Park-Hall, Cardiff, during the present week, the Y.M.C.A. rcoins having been also occasionally utilised, were brought to an end on Sunday. Lord Bennet and Mr W. R, Lane have been the moving spirits in the revival, and the success of their mission has been quite remarkable. On Sunday afternoon the spacicus Park-Hall was filled 'so overflowing, many persons having been turned away unable to gain ad- 1111SSlon. Lord Beunet was indisposed aud con- fined to his room, so that the audience missed his excellent musical contributions. Mrs Davies- Evans, however, gang I will extol Thee most j -ct! very, being accompanied on the grand crgan by Mr i ifoot, who also provided the hymnal accompaniments. The Blue Ribbon Choir was in attendance. Mr Marcus Gunn presided, and he was supported by Mr Richard Corv and a large number of ladies and gentlemen who crowded the platform. Mr Lane spoke with telling effect, choosing for his topic, Deliverance from sin," and his exhortations were listened to most attentively by the thousands present.

No Hougc SHOULD BE WITHOUT KOMPO, a pure and healthy stimulant. Mr T. Burt, M.P., writes In travelling 1<>ng distances in cold weather I have used it with great advantage it gives a glow and genial warmth to the system of a much healthier and enduring kind than anything else I have tried." Dr. Wlure's Kompo is the best-known remedy for Colds, Influenza, Sore Throat, &c. Can be taken in hot water, tea, coffee, milk, or cocoa. Refuse imitations. Sold in bottles, Is lVjd and 9d each, by all Chemists. Post free. J. F. WHITE and Co., Benson-street, Leeds. 5066 HARRIS, Merthyr, is noted all over Wales for Oil Portraits and Photographs. 1043

THE DOWLAIS DISPUTE. ITS CAUSES AND RESULTS. INTERVIEW WITH THE MEN'S SECRETARY. In our Saturday's issue appeared a copy of the notice given by the journeymen boilermakers and iron and steel shipbuilders of the South Wales district to the master boiler- makers, engineers, ship repairers, dry dock, owners and shipowners of South Wales and Mon- mouthshire, to the effect that on and after the 13th of next month, owing to the refusal of the Dowlais Company at Dowlais to pay their boilermakers remunera- tive return for their labour, a general boycott" would be put into operation against that company by the members of the men's society acting in combination. Desiring to obtain a full statement of the reasons which prompted the follow- ing of what appeared to be an arbi- trary line of conduct a representative of this journal secured an interview with Mr F. A. Fox, the district delegate at Cardiff. "We have been forced to adopt severe measures," said he, "quite against our will. We are as a Society strongly averse to allowing trade disputes to end in a strike. We are slow to take a step like the one we are taking against the Dowlais, EGbw Vale, and Hlaenavon com panies, and will not do anything of the kind until we have exhausted every other mode of procedure likely to lead to an amicable settle- ment. This matter could and would have been arranged if these companies' managers had not been so autocratic." will you tell me what led to the strike ? Yes 'tis a short story. These companies had been paying their employees in our trade miserably low wages, and the men not being affiliated to a trade society, they were forced to submit to the terms. Our society embraced them, and at once determined to endeavour to fet for them fair remuneration for their labour, 'here are about 100 out ou 3trike, 45 of them at Dowlais, and these have been out for the past five months." How did you proceed ?" We made courteous application to the manage- ment for permission to lay the men's claims before them. The requested interviews were in- variably refused, and after a time it was said that the custom of employees meeting the employers directly could not be departed from. This was a blow to Trade Unionism, but we heeded that not. We, as officials, want to see our members properly paid—we would never force a fight because we were not given recognition if our men were treated fairly. Failing permission to approach the managers, the men handed in notices to terminate engagement individually, and in the meantime I wrote to the managers again asking for a meeting before the termination of these notices. Again this was declined, tho managers acting in concert. They belong to an Association. Hearing that the managers were to meet at Abergavenny on October 7th last, the general secretary (Mr Knight), Mr Anderson (general secretary of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers), and Mr Urwin (the generil secretary of the National Society of Enzineers). and I waited upon them at this meeting', and solicited again a hearing. The following words were sent on to us, there being no signature and no official heading to it Without being wish- ful to be discourteous, we beg to decline to open any discussion with you. We are here to-day to meet a deputation of our own workmen to discuss with them the reformation of the Sliding-scale to govern wages in this district." Was that courteous ? We have offered to submit the matter to arbitra- tion. We invite the companies to appoint any three representatives to sit with three nominated by us. They can pick their three from this dis- trict—they may be directly concerned, but as for ours, in order to secure absolute impartiality, we will get them from other districts. In the event of the joint committee disagreeing we are willing that the chairman shall ba sole arbiter, that his finding shall be final and binding. We only ask one condition, viz., that the chairman be one of three gentlemen approved by us. Could we be fairer? These offers rejected, what had we to do but to compel attention ?" What were the wages given at Dowlais, and how do they compare with those, say,at Cardiff?" "The wages which have been paid to I boilermakers up in the hills' can only be described as starvation wages. For a full day's work the pay was at Dowlais 2s 4(1 to 2., gel. At Ebbw Vale the maximum rate was 3s to 3s 2d. These rates are about 60 per cent. below those universal at Cardiff. Here for boiler-work the rate is 7s per day, and ship-work 6s 6d, A-, the whole of the work up "the hills" would be boiler work, principally repairs, the compara- tive rate at Cardiff would be 7s to 2s 9<1 and 3" 2d. Now, mark you, we did not ask for Card itf rates. We solicited an increase which should make the hill standard equal to the Cardiff one-in fact, equal to the general one. We allowed for the gain at Dowlais and Ebbw Vale in cheapness of house rent and coals, and allowing for this, we thought 5-s in these places w^uld be as good as 7s at Cardiff. The rates paid by the Dowlais Company are absolutely the lowest through- out the United Kingdom. If his com- pany's manager would say, I will give the men similar rates to those prevailing at the next poorest paid ironworks in the United Kingdom,' the men would return to work immediately, and there would be an end of the affair." What are the prospects of your accomplish- ing your object ?" "We are bound to win eventually, and sooner than outsiders expect." You are fighting strong opponents. What are your funds ? "In round figures we have £ 200,000 at the bank. We are practically 40,000 in member- ship, and embrace 95 per cent. of the men following the boiler-making, iron ship- building and other iron construction trades." Are you affiliated with the South Wales Federation of Trades ? We are not affiliated to the South Wales Federated Trade, but belong to the Federation cf Engineering and Shipbuilding Trades. I don't think there will be any need of seeking assistance, but am positive of it if it be needed. We must ge" improved conditions forfthe workmen. The only matter for regret is that should the companies be obstinate other workmen will be cast out of work through the stoppages brought about by our refusal to proceed with repairs. We are confident that shipowners, engineering and other firms will call upon the Dowlais and other companies to settle the dispute in the interest of all parties." Is there anything more you would like the public to know ?" "Only that the Dowlais Company have forced this by theirstubbornness. At their Cardiff Works their boilermaking and repairing are let on con- tract to a Stockton-on-Tees firm. This firm pay their employees the full rates of the port. Now if it can pay them to do this, the cost to the Dowlais Company must be in excess, and if they pay higher than the Cardiff rate proper for their work down here, what but stubbornness is it which causes them to wish to underpay their men so much at Dowlais ?" TO THE KDITOB. SIR,-In your issue of m-day you publish the notice Mr F. A. Fox sent to the Dowlais Com- pany (with whom he includes Blaenavon and Ebbw Vale) on behalf of the Boilermakers' and Iron Shipbuilders' Association, and also give an account of an "interview with an employer." Having some knowledge of the facts of the case, I think I can show that the notice and report of interview give a very misleading view of the situation as far as the Ebbw Vale Com- pany at least are concerned. I have it on good authority that when the present general manager came to Ebbw Vale, about two months ago, he found thot the whole of the mechanics at these works had been on strike for 17 weeks, 'and the boiler makers for 11 months. In endeavouring to settle matters with the employees he met deputa- tions of the various sections affected, and succeeded in coming to terms with all except the boilermakers, to whom better terms were offered than those accepted by the rest. These terms were at first declined by Mr Fox, as well as by the Executive Council at Newcastle, and although some time afterwards they gave a reluctant assent, it was then too late, as the terms had been withdrawn on account of the further decline in trade and prices. Knowing your sense of fairness to all parties, I trust you will insert this letter, as it will show that it is entirely the fault of the men's organisa- tion that they have been kept out of work when they might have been earning better wages than hitherto. Hoping that for the sake of th men and their families, as well as for the trade of the district, a conciliatory spirit may soon prevail,— I am, kc., FAIR PLAY. February 11th.

ALLEGED ARSON AT ST MELLON S. CHARGE AGAINST CARDIFF LABOURERS. At Newport county police-court, on Saturday, John Cummins and John Mahoney, dock labourers, Helen-street, Roath, Cardiff, were charged on remand with arson at St. Mellons. Mr Baker Jones, solicitor, defended. On Sun- day afternoon, shortly before four o'clock, James Ireland, farm labourer, in the employ of Mrs Davies, St. Mellons, was going across the fields to his work, when in passing a field belonging to Mr John Gerrssh, in which two hay mows were standing, he heard men's voices. His attention was drawn to them by the sounds of something breaking, and he saw that the men were getting through the hedge. Four men took the way leading to the high road three others wer1; in the direction of Rumney and the eighth towards Cardiff across the fields. The four men stopped when they reached the high p e road, and looked in the direction of the mows, which were about 60 yards from the road. He went to tend the cattle, and when he came out of the shed he saw that smoke was proceeding from the mows. P.C. Hole said he received information, and found the northward mow ablaze, and the south- ward one half ablaze. He found a piece of sack- ing on the westward of the fir-t mow, and in the hedge, about two yards from the mow, a gallon jar with about a quart of beer remaining in it. There was also a bottle which had contained whiskey. On Tuesday evening he apprehended Mahoney in the Locomotive Inn, Norah-street, Cardiff. At Roath police-station, in reply to the charge of setting fire to the mows, prisoner said at first he knew nothing about it, but afterwards that he went out to St. Mellons with Cummins. They got to the Fox and Hounds at 12.30, and remained there until stop-tap at 2.30 p.in. He then borrowed [I jar and purchased a gallon of beer from the landlord, and took it along to the haymows. He laid down and went to sleep. He was awoke by SUIfJ()!le, and got up and walked away. The mows were on fire when he awoke, and he did not know how they got a-fire. The officer afterwards apprehended Cummins at the .Locomotive Inn, and charged him with being in company with other men, and setting the mows on fire. Cummins at fint ahm said that he knew nothing about it, but afterwards, on being charged conjointly, Cummins said be was with the others. In reply to Mr Baker Jones, the officer said the prisoners bore good characters as far as he could ascertain. It was a practice for men on Sunday afternoons to buy beer and invite others to join them. David Morgan, landlord of the Fox and Hounds, said that Mahoney paid 2s for the beer and the jar, the change to be returned when the jar was returned. In reply to the magistrates' clerk, the witness denied that he was in the habit of selling jars of beer to visitors to Cardiff to drink during prohibited hours. Mr Baker Jones submitted that it had not been proved that the prisoners set fire to the mows,and that even if they did do so, it was accidentally done, and that therefore there was absence of malice, in the absence of which the charge must fail. The Bench said that no doubt the ricks were set on fire through the carelessness of the prisoners and through their being in liquor, but as there was no evidence before the court as to who set fire to them, the prisoners would be discharge, and the Bench hoped their escape would be a caution to thent.Afr Baker Jones said that the prisoners had been in custody since Tuesday, and therefore had to a certain extent sulfored for their fault.

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, ABERYSTWYTH. A meeting of the Council of the University College of Wales was recently held in Lonsdale Chambers, London, under the presidency of Mr J. F. Roberts, Manchester, when there was an unusually large attendance. The draft charter was discussed at length, and the feeling was expressed and met with approval, that the same external examiners should conduct examinations at the three constituent colleges, and it was agreed :— That this Council while approving generally of the draft heads of charter, would view with satisfaction the immediate itisei tion of provisions for the creation of a faculty of education." That proposition was agreed to unanimously.— It was stated that the number of students at present in the College is 225, of whom no fewer than 92 are women.

THE AGRICULTURAL DEPRESSION. Ac the Carmarthen Board cf Guardians on Saturday, Mr J. Lloyd Thomas, Tanlan, presid- ing, it was resolved: -"That the present condition of agriculture calls for the immediate relief of the land from the existing unjust method of collecting the poor rate of the union for parochial assessment, and this Board of Guardians, recognis- I ing the fact that the maintenance of the destitute jxjor should be made a national and not a local charge, urg s upon the Government the justice and necessity of so amending section 22-26 of the Local Government Act, 188 so as to substitute the payment of three-fourths of tho union's common charges, as audited by the Government I auditor, instead of only th3 payment of the salaries of union officers, aa at present ordered by that Act."

CHARGE OF POCKET-PICKING AT THE NATIONAL LIBERAL CLUB. At Bow-street Police-court on Saturday, Arthur Cecil Percy (22), of 57, Mildinay-park, was charged with being a suspicious character and attenipting to pick pockets at the National Liberal Club. Captain Douglas, the manager, gave evidence that in consequence of complaints he caused a watch to be set. Mr Donald Murray, secretary, said he instructed George Wybrow to keep observation and report if ho saw anything suspicious. He also arranged for Detective Sergeant Rnse to attend. At 7.30 in the evening on Friday, the prisoner walked straight into the hail, and witness and Sergeant Rose followed him into a small cloak-room. Subsequently he was seen to bo in the act of taking a pocket- handkerchief out of a coat with one hand, while h's other hand was in another coat pocket. Prisoner, on being interrogated, said he had made a mistake. He thought it was his cc.at. He ga\» the name of Arthur Cecil Pvroy, and said he was a member and had paid his subscription. Norecord could be found of his membership. Prisoner afterwards admitted that he was not a member of the club, and asked to be released, saying it was a serious charge, and the club authorities would make themselves liable for an action.—Mr Casson, one of the club committee, confirmed the previous witness.—Georg.j Wybrow, attendant, said he saw the prisoner on several occasions feeling in coat pockets. On Wednesday week he saw him abstract money from a coat 30 yards from where his overcoat had been hung.—Mr Lushington re- manded the prisoner on bail, two sureties in L100.

MIRACULOUS APPARITIONS" IN BOHEMIA. Another story of a miraculous apparition comes from Trautenau, in Bohemia. In the village of D^rrengrund, not far from the Prussian frontier, lives a poor widow named R:ngel, with her daughter Christina, who is fifteen years old. Last autumn this young girl was gathering mushrooms in a wood, when she had a vision. A lady dressbd in black appeared to her (so the girl says), spoke a few friendly words, and disappeared. A fort- night later the same lady-this time dressed in robes of grey—appeared to the girl again, and asked her to meot her five days later at the same spot. The girl kept the appointment. Arrangements were then made for subsequent meetings, which duly took place, the lady kneeling down with Christina and praying before a rosary which the latter had brought with her. The burden of the message brought by this mysterious .mitor was that man- kind had become so wicked, thair sins had grown so numerous and heinous, that God's patience was exhausted. He is preparing to punish His children. And I, my child," added the lady, "lam come hIther to save them." Christina I •-cusrht her heavenly friend to prove her mission by giving health to some poor people in the village. The lady promised to grant these requests, and the people interceded for all recovered their health. The reports of these visions soon spread and they were believed by thousands of the inhabltants of the neighbour- hood. Thts last vision, which occurred less than a week ago, took place, it is said, in the j resence t of a multitude of no less than 5,000 persons, Christina appeared at the head of the procession, then walked alone to a little mound, turned her eyes upwards to the skies and seemed suddenly entranced. She spoke much, in a low tone of voice, but none of her utterances were understood by the crowd, who were profoundly thrilled by what they saw. The excitement is spreading and thousands more are expected to be present at the next appearance. The owner of the wood has en- closed the spot with a railing, and the parish priest has sent a report of tha visions to tha Roman Catholic Consistory of Koniggratz.

MEETING OF SIGNALMEN AT MERTHYR. A meeting of the signalmen of Merthyr, Neath, Tredegar Junction, Aberdare, and other places in the district, was held on Sunday afternoon, at the Globp,, Inn, Merthyr, Mr Richard Neath, presiding. After a discussion it was resolved to support the terms of the National programme, viz., to require 5s Ier d-,iv for 1st class signalmen, 4s 6d for 2nd class, and 49 3ed class, and that the day's work be limited to eight hours for main line boxes and busy shunting yards, and ten hours for all other signalmen. District secretaries were appointed—Heath, Mr Amery; Merthyr, Mr G. McKay.

PROFESSOR BLACKIE ON PROSE AND SONG. Professor Blackie, Speaking in Dundee on the above subject, said piety and gaiety should go together. A man who was thoroughly happy sang and danced, and the man who could neither sing nor dance was a poor, pitiful kind cf creature. He was not a right kind of a man unless he understood that piety and gaiety should go together—devotion and song. In Scotland religion was a rathsr sour thing. Some Scotchmen tried to make their spiritual heaven as gloomy and as cloudy as their Scottish sky. The D D.'s had a lot to do with that. They pretended to know the Bible, and they did not know it at all. In the Bible religion was always coupled with gaiety, and even with dancing. He should like to see a couple of old D.D. s dancing, and yet these D.D.'s swore by the Psalms of Dauvit.

ATTEMPTED BURGLARY BY A CARDIFF STEWARD. A CLEVER CAPTURE. At the Greenwich Police-court on Saturday, James Ferguson, aged 18, engineer's steward, who gave his address as "15, Bute Docks, Cardiff," was charged with burglariously breaking into the house of Charles Richard Gurnsey, draper, 7, South-street, Greenwich, and stealing various articles of wearing apparel, etc. The prisoner was understood to have just arrived in a vessel in the Thames. The burglary wa." committed, earl5* on Saturday morning. About 4 o'clock the firosecutor went downstairs to get something to allay an attack of toothache. As he was about to enter the sitting-room door, which was locked on the outside, he saw a light inside it, and on open- ing the door he found the prisoner ransacking a cupboard in the room. He seized the burg-iar by the throat, threw him down, and called for assistance. Prisoner exclaimed, "I'll give in, sir," but Mr Gurnsey kept his captive down until cries of "Police!" fr<.>in the windows by other inmates of the house had attracted a constable, and the prisoner was handed over and locked up. On being charged he said he had just come from Cardiff, and he adm i tted that be had been hanging :tbout since two o'clock waiting for an opportunity to break into the premises. He effected an entrance by breaking the sitting-reom window at the back of the house and pushing back the latch. It was proved that there were previous convictions against him. In October, 1891, he was com- mitted for six months at Maidstone Assizes for stealing a gold watch from a ship's cabin. The Stipendiary now remanded hIm.

PONTEFRACT. The polling in Pontefract takes place to-day, and the announcement of the figures will be made to-night. For years Pontefract has been repre- sented by gentlemen who have been intiniately associated with the welfare of the borough, and on this ground a number of electors will not support Mr Reckitt, the Liberal candidate. Mr Shaw, the Tory nomi- nee, has considerable local influence, Mr Reckitt, however, has no doubt but that if only the promises made to him are performed he will I )ave t majority of at least 40. Both parties have been working their hardest, and the poll is expected to be one of the heaviest recorded. There are 2,703 registered electors, and of these it is estimated that 423 wil), from various cause. be unable to Vote, deducting which there will be about 2,280 votes recorded, and it is evident that the party who can poll more than 1,140 will be returned. PREVIOUS ELECTIONS. 1886. 1892. Winn C 1156 Hon. R. Winn .C 1132 Fleming L 947 Capt. Wilson L 1092 Con. majority 209 Con. majority 40 Electorate, 2,518. Electorate, 2,518.

HEXHAM. The Hexham Division, where Mr Clayton was unseated on petition, is at present a political cockpit. Rival M.P.'s, professional politicians, v,, and Radical and Unionist parsons from the three kingdoms are clamouring for the popular vote in favour of their representative candidates. The Liberals are confident of victory, and place their majority in some cases at 500. The Unionists are, it must be confessed, more modest, but the party managers claim that their prospects were never brighter than at present. The majority at the general election was 80 odd. Since then there has been an inorease on the register of 528. Mr Maclnnes is the Liberal candidate, and Mr Clayton, a brother of the ex- niember, is the Tory nominee.

CADOXTON-BARRY. SATURDAY Pops.-Tlie last of these popular entertainiiit-n ts was held at the Parish-hall, under the presidency of Canon Allen. Barry Band was in attendance, and a good programme of niiisic was submitted. CRICKET CLUB —The annual meeting of the members of the Barry Cricket Club was held on Saturday at East Barry House, Mr J. Robin- son in the chair. The following officers were selected for the next session :—Captain, W. Weston vice-captain, D. VVilliams secretary and treasurer, Mr Harry Jones. General and match committees were also appointed. Mr T. Wilson condemned the club's action in lending the ground to the football club, the cricket pitch being thus ruined, and would this year have to bo returned at great cost.-It was decided to call a joint meeting of both clubs at an early date to consid-r the matter, when the annual accounts of the cricket club will also ba submitted.

in which it was placed by the National Liberal Federation. And this meeting is also of opinion that the questions which have been submitted to any nationality in the United kingdom, and upon which an unmistakable pronouncement has been made at a general election, as in the case of Home Rule for Ireland, should take preced "nca of all other questions which are submitted bv a Government to a new Parliament. And this executive, therefore, claims for Wales the second place for the Susp-nsorv Bill in the present session, and the first. place for a Sill for the Disestablishment and Disendow- ?nent of the Church in Wales in the nsxt session. The meeting strongly approves of the efforts made by our representatives to induce the Government to deal finnly and speedily with the qut-stions upon which our countrymen have so un- mistakably pronounced at the last general election, and to assure them that they have the hearty ■support of the country on their action and also ihat the results will be verv disappointing and disastrous if our demands are not conceded by the Government." were three dissentients, but it was stated that they disagreed with the motion as not being of a sufficiently strong character.