South Wales Daily News

THE ADJOURNMENT OF PARLIAMENT. The Press Association learns that the greater progress made with the votes during the past two or three days encourages the expectation enter- tained by the Government that the whole of Supply will be disposed of on Saturday evening or Monday at the latest, in which case the adjournment of the House will probably take place on Fiidav, 22nd lnst.

THE BIRMINGHAM TRAGEDY. MANSLAUGHTER AGAINST A NEWSBOY. At Birmingham, on Thursday night, a coro- ner's jury returned a verdict of manslaughter against Samuel Hands, a newsboy, only fourteen years of age, who, in a quarrel with another lad on Tuesday as to some coppers they had earned, drew a knife and stabbed him in the chest, inflicting such injuries that the lad, whose name was Edward Smith, died a few minutes later. The evidence showed that Smith, who was 17, and much bigger than Hands, had beaten and repeatedly kicked the latter before he was stabbed.

SHOCKING AFFAIR IN LIVERPOOL. Ellen O'Brien and Lydia Dillon are in custody at Liverpool for the alleged murder of James Young Craig, who was found dead in a brothel on Thursday, of which the accused were inmates. Deceased had spent a considerable amount in drinking with women, who, the detectives allege, drugged him. There are suspicious marks on the deceased's body.

THE BRAZILIAN REVOLT. BOMBARDMENT OF RIO. WASHINGTON, Thursday,—Mr Gresham, Secre- tary of State, has received a cablegram frcm the United States' Minister at Rio de Janeiro, stating that at eleven o'clock this morning the insurgents bombarded the forts commanding the entrance to the harbour, as well as the arsenal on the wharf in the central part of the city. A few shells were also fired into the city, a woman being killed by the explesion of a bomb in her house. The trans- mission of commercial telegrams has again been forbidden. The United States warship Charles- to ivn, which was expected at Rio, has not yet arrived there.—Rtutcr

DEATH OF A SWISS STATESMAN. Thursday.—M. Ruchonnet, formerly President of the Confederation and the leading Swiss statesman, died this morning after a long illness. He had filled nearly every post of honour in his country's Government, and up to the time of his death was a leading member of the Federal Council. — Central News.

DR., KOCH MARRIED. The celebrated bacteriologist, Professor Robert Koch, was ou Wednesday married in Berlin to a young actress, Miss Friedberg.

SUICIDE OF A POSTMASTER. DEATH RATHER THAN DISGRACE. On Wednesday evening great consternation was caused in the quiet little, town of Newcastle- Emlyn, which lies on the borders of Carmarthen- shire and Cardiganshire, by the tragic death of the local postmaster, Mr Thomas Jones, a genial and urbane old man, who for many years had been a sub-agent for the Cawdor estate, and a person to whom most people of the neighbour- hood referred when matters of historic interest were in dispute. At last evening's inquest, held Vi- fclr?, NewcHstle-Einlyn magisterial rooms, before Mr I homos Walters, coroner for Western Car- marthenshire, Edward Thomas Rowland Mere- wether, assistant surveyor of post offices, South Wales, said he saw the deceased at 11 o'clock on Wednesday morning. He had been reported by the London office with regard to certain irregu- larities in his accounts, which witness told him would lead to serious results if he was not care- ful. His accounts showed a deficiency of over £ 50. If he had two or three days grace he mio-ht be able to get the money, as people in the town was in his debt. Witness said he could not leave the town before the money was produced, and so deceased went out, and had to bo brought back eventually by his assistants. On being told uow that he could not have time al- lowed for payment, he went out again, and on returning a second time without the money was informed that someone else would have to take his place. A clerk was in fact telegraphed for. At 2.46 p im -a quarter of an hour ht.er-.deca.sed was dead. Margaret Jenkins, a spinster, living next door to the uost- office, said she heard groans proceeding froni the hack premises. At three o'clock she discovered deceased in a pool of blood in the premises of his yard. She ran for assistance on opening the door and seeing bun alive in a sitting position. The deceased was bleeding from a wound in the temple.—Benjamin Thomas, draper, said he found a revolver in the back premises. John Davies said deceased was 64 years of ao-e He was very excited on the arrival of the Post'- office inspector. Deceased did not appear to be himself at one o'clock. He wanted the loan of some money upon the security of his life policv. Some months ago ne lesiKiieu una sun-agency of the Cawdor estate.—Dr. Joshua Powell said the deceased was»lmost beside himself when he saw hi in at one o'clock on Wednesday. Witness told him he would be one out of three to make up the £ 51 deficiency. At three o'clock he saw him in an unconscious state, bleeding from the right temple. The wound was ragged and penetrated into the skull. A shot from the produced pistol would pause such a wound. Deceased was quite sober before he died. The jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst temporarily insane.

EXPLOSION ON A SHIP. A PENARTH OFFICER KILLED. STRANGE FULFFLMENT OF A PRESENTIMENT. With reference to the shipping casualty re- ported in the South Wales Daily Neivs, on the 11th mi to the effect that the British steamer Haze boaiswain, b„ard,of6, K'k l>.<1 W: J he owners ri^ hav() this week written to p"c H. VV.' Browne, M.A., chaplain to A*? them recTi v ed^fvi n g f ul j elapse before a letter woul The H;izel turned to London, where the d • • off. Mrs Gerard then received a letter from the deceased stating that he could not come to Penarth, and he also expressed his determination to go out again in the same ship, although God had warned him not to."

THE ASSAULT ON MR BRODRICK, M.P. At the Central Criminal Court on Tnursday, Bernard Dunn was indicted for assaulting Mr Brodrick, M.P., formerly Financial Secretary to the War Office. Prisoner had been dismissed from his position in Woolwich Arsenal because, as he alleged, he had assisted in exposing certain irregularities, and he assaulted Mr Brodrick in order to call public attention to his grievances. ■—Prisoner pleaded guilty, and was ordered to find security to come UP sentence IF called uoon.

THE ENGLISH COAL STRIKE. FEDERATION LEADERS IN CONFERENCE, A POLICY OF NO SURRENDER, The National Federation of Miners, to receive the results of the ballots, on the questions recently submitted to the men, and to decide on future action, was held at Nottingham on Thursday. Mr Benjamin Pickard, M.P., presided, and districts were largely represented, Mr S. Woods, M.P., being among others present. Repors from various midland and northern counties were con- sidered, the delegates sitting with closed doors from ten till one. The discussion of the questions of accepting a reduction in wages, submitting to arbitration, or allowing the men at collieries where no reduction had been threatened to return to work, was entered upon, and it is understood that the delegates were resolute in their determination not to submit to any reduction. The conference will be resumed to. day, but the general opinion is that there will be no surrender on the part of the miners.

SETTLEMENT IN DEAN FOREST. I On Saturday last, at a mass meeting of colliers representing the entire district of Dean Tiorest, power was vested in the agent, Mr G. H. Row- linson, and the wage committee to meet the coalowners and arrange terms. The conference came off on Thurs- day, when the meeting was held at the Speech House Hotel. The masters' representa- tives present were Messrs Arnold Thomas (chair- man of the Masters' Association), T. B. Brain, T. H. Deakin, F. V. T. Brain, F. S. Hockaday", William Crawshay, J, Hale, E. Morgan, G. E. T. MacMurtrie, James Bulfrey, F. H. Burdiss, &c. The representatives of the men were Messrs G. H. Rowiinson (agent), George Barnett (president of the Local Labour Associa- tion), G. Baldwin (district treasurer),E. Wilce, E. Fowler, Peter Thomas, L. W. French, A. T. Wilks, &o. The conference began at two o'clock, and implied at 6.30. Our correspondent was informed that the men would go to work on Mon- day next, and that a compromise had been effected.

INDIGNATION AMONGST COAL- OWNERS. Our Wolverhampton correspondent telegraphs -On Thursday great indignation was expressed by the Staffordshire colliery proprietors at the daily-repeated alleged public misrepresentations by Federation officials that the masters pocket the difference between 4s 9d, the cost of producing a ton of coal and the 17a at which it is sold. The masters declare that the speakers know that after paying timber bills, which sometimes come to L2,000 a year, and wages of engineers and banksmen and the cost of running machinery, there is hardly more than Is per ton profit left.

COLLIERS DIGGING THEIR OWN COAL. The miners of Parr and St. Helens on Wednesday morning opened colliery operations on their own account. A few years ago, when the new inter cepting sewer was being carried across the waste land between Peasley-cross and Parr, the navvies came across several seams of coal near the surface. It is, of course, not of a very rich quality, but the miners of the district on Tuesday, thirsting for something to do, decided to open up this coal u ^?r khe local market. The surface land belongs to the Alkali Union, the officials of which havegiven the men permission to get the coal provided the hoies are filled up afterwards. Several 11 shait-9 were sunk—one to a depth of about 20ft., where the coal is being dug and being pulled up to the surface in buckets. The local shopkeepers and others are purceasing the stuff at Is a barrow, and quite a roaring- trade is going on. On Wednesday morning the land presented quite a hive of industry, men digging up new holes in all directions, something after the fashion of primitive gold-diggings. The women kind are also there m profusion, coming with their buckets and baskets, and even t\ handcart was brought into requisition to cart the fuel away. Partnerships have been formed among the diggers for the distribution of the profits The operations were carried on during the night with the aid of the regulation miners' lamps.

PRESENCE OF THE MILITARY CONDEMNED. The representatives of the Press were informed that the following resolution, moved by Mr Woods, seconded by Mr W. Whitefield, Bristol, was carried unanimously at the Nottingham meeting:— That this conference, representing the miners of the federated counties, desires to express its deepest sympathy with'the relatives of the unfortunate men ,w<fr.e i''1; ^-v the military at Pontefract in Yorkshire, vyhile we strongly denounce all who take part in noting as the worst enemies of the miners cause, yet we cannot help believing that the presence of the ponce and military in such large num- bers acte as a forcible incentive to rioting and dis- order. This conference hereby urges on the Govern- ment to withdraw at once all newly-imported soldiers and police from the various counties affected.

KEEN DISTRESS NEAR PONTE- FRACT. The distress among miners in the Pontefract district is very great, Mr Jehn Shaw, the owner of the FeatherstonL, Colliery, has allowed colliers to pick fuel from rubbish heaps near the pits. In many houses there has been little firo for the past fortnight. Mr Hobday, Lord Masham's agent, has given away large quantities of meat and coal, and the colliery owners have subscribed largely to the relief funds. s

GOVERNMENT INQUIRY TO BE ASKED FOR. Our London correspondent telegraphs :—I understand that Mr Nussey, the member for Pontefract, will to-morrow put a series of import- ant questions to the Home Secretary in connection with the recent deplorable riots at Featherstone. Mr Nussey will ask whether the Home Secretary's attention has been drawn to the verdict of the jury at the inquest on James Gibbs, and to the opinion therein expressed that but for the .absence of the local police at Doncaster races, the presence of the military would have been totally unnecessary. Mr Nussey will further ask whether a further and more complete inquiry cannot be made into the whole circum- stances of the unfortunate action that resulted in the shooting of several men.

THE AMERICAN SILVER QUESTION. WASHINGTON, Thursday.—In the Senate to- day Mr Faulkner introduced his amendment to the Sherman Act Repeal Bill, proposing to coin 3,000,000 dollars of silver monthly until the cir- culation reaches 80,000,000 dollars, and to with- draw from circulation all paper money of a less denomination than 20 dollars. -Reuter.

TO-DAY'S WEATHER 4.30 A.M. TO-DAY'S FORECAST Fon JJitGLAN L), AVI-) OUT It \YAt, tiS. South-westerly and westerly winds, moderate fai i- generally. GKNEKAL. A new depression is approaching the north of Scotland and seems likely to occasio!l a con- siderable increase of wind from westward on our northern coasts, with squaJly unsettled weather. WAR,NINGS.-Tlie south cone is up in 0,1, 6 and part of 9. GENERAL FORECASTS. GENERAL FORECASTS. J^I16 were prepared last night U the Meteorological Office at eight o'clock — DISTRICTS— DISTRICTS— a q f1 «T "I Westerly to north-westerly Scotland, N. r strong winds and gales squally and rainy to fair. i cs it j -n I W,I'\te;y wmds, strong; a 1. Scotland, E. V gale in places; squally J showery. n "1 Westerly winds, freshening 2. England,N.E. j- considerably squally • I showery. 3. England, E. « 4. Mid. Counties I'°outh-westerly and westerly 5. Eng. S. (Lon. | moderate fair and Channel. U generally. 6. Scotland W. Same as 1. 7\SoHhw;iIs:}Same a* 2. 9. Ireland, N. Same as 1. South-westerly and westerly 10. Ireland. S. J- winds, freshening; cloudv • j sllOWRl'V. ABKRYsrwrTH, Thursday Evening.—Barometer, 30-332, falling; thermometer, 63-9 in the shade; wind, W.S.W. Amount of sunshine registered by Jordan's recorder for the 24 hours preceding 9 a.m., 2 hours 30 minutes. Fair weather pre. vails, sky at times cloudy, sunshine at intervals. Moderate breezes. Sea quiet.

h HARRIS, Merthyr, is noted all over Wales for Oil Portraits and

DEATH OF AN INFIRMARY DIS- PENSER. The Press Association's Ashton-under-Lyne correspondent telegraphs William Barlow, dispenser at the infirmary here, died to-day from Asiatic cholera. It is supposed that he contracted the disease at Cleethorpes, where be had been on n holiday.

FATAL CASES AT BRADFORD. A fatal case of suspected cholera is reported at Bingley, near Bradford, where a saddler named George Wright succumbed during the night. Several deaths from choleraic diarrhoea have occurred during the last few days, and Harry Clark, a local football player, is in a critical con- dition,

A DEATH AT MANSFIELD. Mrs Coleman, wife of a fishmonger and fruiterer at Mansfield, died on Thursday of cholera within 20 hours of being attacked. It is not yet known if the disease was of the Asiatic type.

QUESTIONS IN PARLIAMENT. In the House of Commons on Thursday, Mr FOWLEK, in reply to several hon. memoers, said he was sorry to state that at Ashbourne 13 persons had been attacked with what he had better call choleraic diarrhoea. Eight deaths bad occurred out of these 13 cases. This, he need hardly say, was an extraordinary proportion. The whole of the persons who were attacked lived in one courtyard,and all drank from a pump well. The water, he believed, was very suspicious. The local authorities had prohibited the use of the water, and were taking all the precautions they could. There was no information of any spread of the disease outside the courtyard. The general report to.day was satisfactory from all parts of the United Kingdom. There was a case at Cleethorpe now. At Hull there were no deaths and only two cases in hospital. It is true that a person living at Ashton.under-Lyne, who went on a trip to Cleethorpe, and on his return was attacked with cholera, had died. He thought the House might be satisfied that on the whole affairs were mending and not retrogading at all. Mr ROUND asked was there any foundation for the report in the papers that there had been a failure in the precautionary action which should be taken by the local authorities at Harwich against the introduction of cholera. Mr FOWLER said he was Mot aware of any justi- fication for the statement which had appeared in the public Press that at Harwich ships had been allowed to enter the port wioh- ont inspection. He believed the port sani- tary authorities at Harwich had appointed inspectors for this special duty, and he believed the regulations and orders of the Local Government Board had been carried out. He had been in communication with the port sanitary authorities, and there was no reason, so far as he knew, to charge them with any neglect of duty. No doubt the authorities, in common with all local authorities throughout the kingdom, were now incurring heavy expenses in reference to this unfortunate outbreak.

EIGHT DEATHS AT ASHBOURNE. The Press Association Hanley correspondent states that another death from choleraic diarrhoea occurred at Ashbourne on W ednesday evening, making eight deaths in about a week. The medical inspectorates that the Ashbourne outbreak, which involved eight deaths in a single court, is still under investigation. It appears thus far to be a strictly isolated occurrence. The last fatal attack was, as judged from the bacteriological point of view, not distinguishable from true cholera. In a few other attacks of which the board have cognisance no proof of true cholera has been forthcoming. The history of the more recent occurrences and their isolated character may be regarded as reassuring.

HULL, GRIMSBY, AND CLEETHORPES Thursday's official report issued from the Local Government Board, states that no further deaths have taken place in Hull or Cleethorpes, nor, so far as can be judged from the returns, in Grimsby. A fatal attack, certified to be due to cholera, has occurred at Hurst, Lancashire, the patient having recently returned from Clee- thorpes also one at Mansfield.

PRECAUTIONS AT GRIMSBY. On Thursday night a. notice has been posttfl by the Cleethorpes authorities prohibiting bathing and gathering of cockles at points near the Grimsby sewage outfall. Large numbers of emi- grants from Hamburg, bound for New York, left Grimsby Dock Station on Thursday.

SUSPICIOUS CASE AT ST. BARTHO- LOMEW'S HOSPITAL. A young lighterman, named William Nettling- ham, was on Wednesday evening admitted to St. Bartholomew's Hospital suffering from a supposed attack of cholera. Nettlingham has for the past week been on one of the Thames barges bringing sand up the river. On Wednesday afternoon he was seized with diarrhoea and vomiting, and was at once removed in a. cab to the hospital. He was immediately seen by the house surgeon, and placed in a separate ward. As yet no accurate diagnosis of tha case could be made. The patient, when admitted, was suffering from acute diarrhoea, accompanied by vomiting ani collapse.

THE SCOURGE ABROAD, NO INFECTION AT NEW YORK. NEW YORK, Thursday.—The health officer of New York has issued a statement this morning with regard to the recent proclamation of the Portuguese authorities declaring New York along with the ports of Liverpool and London suspected owing to reported cases of cholera. The health officer, in his statement, characterises Portugal's action as absurd, and affirms that there has not been a single case of cholera in New York this year since the arrival of the steamship Kam- mannia, whose sick were removed to Swinburne Island, where they were completely isolated. All vessels trading with New York do so, therefore, without any risk of infection from cholera, and the irksome restrictions imposed on arrivals from New York are consequently quite unnecessary.— Central News.

THE LANOET ON THE EPIDEMIC. The Lancet, in its weekly statement on the progress of cholera and its extension to this country, calls attention to the distribution of the disease at the present time, and to the occur- rence of real and alleged cases of cholera and choleraic diarrhoea in numerous P«aces, wn.chit rpcrards as very significant. lhe iancet con- siders that the late period of the year and the dryness and comparative coldness of the atmos- phere at this season are factors unfavourable to its epidemic extension and development at the present time, and thinks that we may reasonably houe and believe that the disease will not mani- fest itself in any epidemic intensity in this country during this, whatever it may do next year, Our main reliance must be placed on sanitation in its broadest as well as inits restricted aspects. It is pretty well recognised that are assurance offices are but little affected by cholera. The class of people who assure their lives do not commonly die of the disease, and if we could only place the poorer classes of the population in the same position as those who effect life assurances, they would probably obtain a similar immunity. The remarkable and progressive improvement that has been effected of late years in the European army in Bengal—the home of cholera- is another evidence of what can be accomplished by sanitary and social improvements.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT HOUSE OF COMMONS.—THURSDAY, j The Speaker took the chair at three o'clock. SIAM. Sir E GREY, replying to Co!. Howard Vincent, said that so far as her Majesty's Government were aware no proposal had been made the placing of restrictions on British trade la any part of Siam. Lord Dufferin was fully alive to British commercial interests, and would receive whatever instructions might appear necessary from time to < time. THE MATABELES AND MASHONA- LAND. Mr BUXTON, replying to Sir Ellis Ashmead Bartlett, said the Colonial Office had received no confirmation of the news published in the Press on Tuesday as to the reappearance of armed Matabeies on the Mashonaland border. All papers on Mashonaland affairs had been printed, and would be circulated to members on Monday. BRITISH HONDURAS CURRENCY. Mr BUXTON, in answer to a question put by Mr A. C. Morton, on behalf of Mr Weir, said urgent representations had been received from British Honduras, protesting against the use of a depreciated silver currency. The existing currency of British Honduras was established a few years ago after careful inquiry, and in accordance with the general wish in the colony, and so serious a measure as a change in the currency required grave deliberation. The question was receiving attention at the hands of the Treasury. THE INDIAN BUDGET. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, in answer to questions from Sir Richard Temple, said the discussion of the Indian Budget would be appointed for the day on which the Appro- priation Bill was set down for second reading, that Bill being the first order. When that would be the hon. bart had as good an opportunity for judging as himself. He hoped the Irish votes would be concluded to-day, and, so far as he could gather, there was aa universal opinion that they should endeavour to bring Supply to a close —(hear, hear)—at the earliest possible period. Of course the hour for concluding the sitting on Saturday would be according to general con- j venience, but he thought it would be unwise at the moment to fix a particular hour. Mr T. W. RUSSELL asked did the right hon. gentleman know of any precedent for Irish Supply being voted in one day ? The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER was not prepared to answer that question. He did not know that gentlemen opposite were particularly anxious to discuss the votes this year. THE QUALIFICATION OF MAGIS- TRATES. The HOME SECRETARY, in reply to Mr Agg Gardner, said magistrates who were proprietors of coffee taverns were not disqualified from adjudicating upon the granting of licences to public-houses within their district. He did not intend to propose any change in the law ap- plicable to the matter. THE PISTOLS BILL. Mr HOPWOOD asked if the Chancellor of the Exchequer had now ascertained tha.t the Pistols Bill is a controversial measure, and whether the Government intended to proceed with it at un- timely hours of the night against the feeling of their spirits. Sir W. HARCOURT thought that upon the whole the House treated it as a noncontroversial Bill. (H?ar.) SUPPLY. The House then went into Committee of Supply on the Irish Estimates. .r The vote of £2,964 for the household of the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland was agreed to. On the vote of £ 24-,740 for the salary and ex- penses of the Chief Secretary, Mr T. W. RUSSELL said, during a long Session, there had been no opportunity of raising ques- tions relating to the Irish administration. (Loud laughter.) He must, therefore, refer to certain matters in these estimates, although he did not intend to review the whole course of Irish administration. After discussing at some length the oppressive and improper conduct of a magistrate, the hon. gentleman proceeded to censure the appointment of retail spirit dealers to the bench which had taken place extensively Mr J. MORLEY said that the whole ground of his Irish administration had been covered by a vote of censure moved by the leader of the Oppo- sition some weeks ago. (Hear, hear.) The meetings which he had suppressed were held tor illegal purposes. But, on the other hand, many of the meetings which the late Government had suppressed were held for a distinctly political purpose. He would not give a return as to these meetings,because he did not think the publica- tion ot^uch a return would have a good effect oil Ireland. The hon. member had called attention to the fact that no convictions for agrarian offences had been obtained at the last two assizes for Kerry, Clare, and Limerick But that was nothing. What the hon. member had to do was to make out that the condition of Clare and the other counties was worse than it was. But that he had not done, and he (Mr Morley) had just received from the ponce authoiities in the south-western division of Ireland a report stating that there was a marked and apparently durable improvement in those counties, and a compMe absence of agitation. With regard to the attacks said to have been made upon the Protestant settlement at Moyras, he would COll- sider the.,propriety of erecting a police hut in that neighbourhood. (Hear, hear.) The Lord Chancellor had taken the greatest pains in select- ing fit persons for the magisterial bench, but it was possible that individual mistakes might have been made, and he would inquire into the allegation made. He believed that, with a single exception, the Lord Chancellor had not appointed any liquor dealers to be county magistrates. Mr RUFoun said that, comparing what had taken place in this Session with what had occurred during the last seven years, the Chief Secretary had every reason to congratulate him- self upon his immunity from attack. He did not suppose that the Chief Secretary had improperly suppressed any public meetings. He would not raise the qnestlOll wl1eth"1" the action of the pre. sent Government corresponded with the previous professions of its members, but he denied that the late Government had ever suppressed any meet- ing which was really of a political character, whatever might be its professed object. He only hoped that the Chief Secretary would continue to suppress all illegal meetings as he had hitherto done. (Hear, hear.) He had no complaint to make as to the manner in which the right hon. gentleman proposed to deal with the Moyras incident, but he could not help observing that it threw some light on the assertion that the religious persecution of Protestants by Roman Catholics was, under no circumstances, to be apprehended. He was not going to quarrel over the relative quietude of Ireland under the late and the present Govern- ments. Everyone must rejoice that crime had diminished, but that was not the point. The real question was the cause of the diminution, and if it was true that moonlighting had recently increased this must greatly diminish our satisfac- tion at the decrease of actual crime. No doubt the greater tranquility of the country was due in part to tho excellent harvest. It was also no doubt partly due to the fact that the influences which had not always been exerted on the side of order had, during the last twelve months, been employed in making the task of the right hon. gentleman as easy as possible. He earnestly hoped that the relatively small amounb of crime now existing in Ireland might continue, and even undergo a diminution in future years. (Hear, hear.) But he could not regard the state of things as satisfactory while the administration of justice was reduced to a farce, as was the case in certain counties in Ire- land. (Hear, hear.) The facts stated by the member for Tyrone showed that it was impossible to obtain conviction in these counties, and there was therefore a great responsibility on the Government for not proclaiming these counties under the change of venue clauses of the Crimes Act, and would certainly diminish if they did not put au end to the evil complained of. (Hear, hear.) Mr J. MORLEY said that since he declared that if need arise be would resort to the change of venue clauses of the Crimes Act no assizes had occurred, and therefore there had been no oppor- tunity to ascertain whether it was desirable to resort to these powers. Mr BALFOUR rather thought the right hon. gentleman was right on this matter of fact, but he thought the experience of previous assizes was sufficient to show the expediency of resort- ing to change of venue. Mr DUNnAn BARTON endeavoured to raise the question of the action of the Lord-lieutenant in accepting or refusing addresses from local bodies in Ireland. The CHAIRMAN, however, ruled that this subject coald not be discussed on this vote. Mr DUNBAR BARTON and Mr BALFOUR argued that although the Lord-lieutenant was imme- diately concerned in the charges, he was con- stitutionally supposed to act on the advice of the Chief Secretary, who was responsible for the advice he gave." It was also urged that when an effort had been made to raise this question in the House of Lords the Earl of Kimberley had said that the proper person to answer for the Lord-lieutenant was the Chief Secretary in the House of Commons. The CHAIRMAN That might be all very well for the House of Lords, but I cannot bft governed in my ruling by the view of Lord Kimberley. (Laughter.) Mr DUBAR BARTON than proceeded to con- demn the manner m which the Chief Secretary had oil more than one occasion referred to the Irish judges, as injurious to the administration of the law in Ireland. After some observations from Mr ARNOLD FORSTMR. Mr MACARTNEY said that he did not attach much importance to the domination of crime in Ireland wheu he saw that there was no improve- ment in the punishment of crimes. He con- tended that the Chief Secretary should have resorted to toe change of venue clauses of the (JnniGs Act. Mr DANE denied that there was any real im- provement in the condition of Ireland. It was absolutely impossible to obtain convictions for agrarian crime in the south and west of Ireland. J 0HN MOHLET denied that he had ever used language of the Irish judges calculated to impair their authority. Referring to the com- plaints respecting Irish juries, he remarked that the instances in.England were numerous enough where juries failed to convict in cases where the judges thouht there ought to be convictions. After some conversation respecting industrial ships and schools in Ireland, kjr ■'•LEA drew attention to the overcrowding ,n lunatic asylums in Ireland. The increasing lunacy m agricultural districts demanded, he said, the attention of the Government, and he suggested a small commission of inquiry. Mr T. W. RUSSELL, whose remarks wern inter- rupted by an abortive attempt at a count, said that the increase of lunacy in Ireland was very alarming. He believed that politics, tea drink- ing, and whiskey drinking were the three causes to which it might be attributed. Mr J. MORLEY quite agreed that the faots dis. closed in the recent reports of the Irish Lunacy Inspectors were very alarming. The cause of the increase of lunacy was, in the opinion of the best medical experts, the depletion of the popula- tion by the emigration of its most robust mem- bers. He would consult the authorities as to the appointment of a commission, but at present he did not think that any advantage would be derived from it. Mr JACKSON said there could be no doubt that the lunatic asylums and wards in Ireland were greatly overcrowded, and that this had a most injurious effect on the health of the inmates. After some remarks from Mr Fisher, Mr T. W Russell, Mr Macartney, and other members, the. vote was agreed to. On the vote of £78,497 for the Local Govern- ment Board, Mr T. W. RUSSELL said that a large number of lunatics were improperly confined in work- houses m Ireland instead of being sent to asylums, a large number of which ought to be provided. He also called attention to the enormous expense of Poor-law administra- tion in Ireland. While £ 822,000 was expended on actual relief to the poor, £ 4,009,000 was devoted to the salaries of officials. Then the sanitary condition of all the small towns in Ireland was deplorable. What was the land question doing to improve this state of things in the face of a threatened visitation of cholera ? Mr KNOX concurred in the opinion that a larger number of county asylums should be provided. After some observations from Mr ARNOLD FORSTEE and Mr MACARTNEY, Mr J. MORLEY said the Irish Government applied to the Treasury to extend the period of repayment of loans for the enlargement and improvement ot district asylums. The amount expended m actual reliefis compared with salaries bore, he believed, about the same proportion as in England. As far as sanitation was concerned, he considered it would be well to depend more on the responsibility of local authori- ties than of the central Government. The vote was, after a short discussion, then agreed to, as was a vote of £ 2,327 fcr the Public Record Office. On the vote of £ 19,528 for the Office of Public Works there was a desultory conversation with respect to the construction of various public works in Ireland. Eventually the vote was agreed to, as were votes-of LS,630 for the Registrar of Births and Deaths, and the collection of agricul- tural statistics £4-.6133 for the general valuation and survey L46,365 for criminal prosecutions and law charges and £65,060 for legal expenses not provided for by the Consolidated Fund. On tho vote of £ 40,430 for the Irish Land Commission, Mr T. W. RUSSELL called attention to the slow progress made by the ccramisaion during the last year in fixing fair rents. Mr J. MORLEY thought that the Land Com- mission had fixed as many fair rents as could be expected during the last year. Thejvote was agreed to. On the vote of £ 75,093 for County Court Offices Mr BALFOUR moved to report progress. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that the hour (twenty minutes past one o'clock) was an early one to report progress in Committee of Supply at that period of the Session. He would not, however, oppose the motion, but hoped that certain non-contentious Irish votes would be taken before progress was reported. After a short conversation the vote was with- drawn. Several non-contentious votes were agreed to, and progress was then reported. The House adjourned at 2.55 a.m.

THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION. MEETING AT NOTTINGHAM. The eight sections into which the association is divided met on Thursday morning at Notting ham. The attendance of members, British and foreign, was close upon 2,000. In the mathematical and physical section Mr R. T. Glazebrook, as president, speaking on electrical standards, said the resolutions adopted at Edinburgh would be made the basis of legisla- tion throughout the world. Professor Emerson Reynolds, in the chemical section, described the work of the past twelve months as substantial in character, and gave an outline of comparative chemistry. Mr J. J. H. Teal, discussing the Hutton theory in the geological section, ainrmed that the early stages of the planet's history still fonn; a legiti- mate subject for speculation. The President's address in the section on biology was, in the absence of Canon Tiistram, read by Sir W. FLOWER. Canon Tristram warned the observer of facts against the danger of becoming a mere materialist. In the geographical section Mr HENRY SEEBOHJI contributed an interesting address on exploration, on economic science, and statistics. Professor SHIELD IS ICHOLSON claimed signs of a reaction in favour of the old position of Adam Smith. The rapid increase of aerial navigation and the question of fuel supply were the subjects of Mr JEREMIAH HEAD'S address in the mechanical science section. Dr. ROBERT MUNRO, in the apthropological section, traversed the recent theory "fif Mr Robert Wallace, and urged that against that, gentleman's hypothesis of natural selection was the pro- bability that many tribes of savages are in pcint bf civilisation more degenerate than their fore- fathers, and that there must be soma foundation of truth in the widely-spread tradition of the fall of man. In the ethnological section, a paper was read by Mrs Lily?Grove, F.R.G.S., ajFrench lady, who treated dancing from an o iiii:),ogical pointof view. Ladigs showed the greatest: interest in this paper, and frequently applauded the lady, who read and spoke with an admirable English accent. She treated dancing as a primitive instinct in humanity, which women, on account of their temperament, had cultivated more generally and with greater success than men. In the evening a soiree was held in the old castle.

THE DOCKERS' CONGRESS. On Thursday the members of the Dockers' Congress practically completed their business, but they have engagements of a recreative character which (says the Press Association) will keep them in Bristol for the next two days. A mass meeting of dockers at Avonmouth was addressed by Alderman Ben Tillett, general secretary of the Union.

CYCLING RECORD BREAKING. t On Thursday evening several attempts at record breaking were made at Heme Hill, but only in two cases, despite the calm weather, were the existing records lowered. A. W. Harris, of Leicester, beat the previous best for half a mile, covering the distance in Imin. 1 3-5secs. This is a world's record. G. E. Osmond and R. J. Merry then lowered the three-quarter mile tandem record, riding the respective distances in lmin. 34 2-5secs. and 2inin. 6 4-5secs.

SIR G. O. MORGAN, M.P. AT GLYN CEIRIOG. On Thursday the memorial stone of a new board school at Llansantfraid, Glyn Ceinog, Denbighshire, was laid by Sir George Osborne Morgan, Bart., M.P., who, in the course of an interesting address, dwelt on the opposition of the Church party to the establishment of unde- nominational schools. He did not object to doctrinal teaching, though he did not think with Lord Salisbury that a. man could not be a. Christian without it. But he did say most emphatically that it was not the duty of the State to foster or provide it.

MASS MEETING OF THE MEN. On Thursday mght a mass meeting of the three lodges of the Operative Stonemasons' Society in the Cardiff district was held at the headquarters of the strongest branch at the Black Lion Hotel, St. Mary-street. Mr George Milsom presided over a crowded attend- ance. As usual, the proceedings were privately conducted, our reporter being supplied with the following resolutions passed at the close of the meeting :— That, seeing the nine non-members employed by Mr Dunn have paid. sim mentioned iu our rules towards their entrance fees, our members resume work to-morrow (Friday) morning. That all members in the employ of those associated masters who have posted notices, but who have not paid off their men, shall also resume work at the same time.

RAILWAY ACCIDENT AT PORTH. At 7.45 on Thursday evening. George Rye, aged 40, a goods guard, employed on the Taff Vale Railway, was admitted to the Cardiff Infirmary suffering from severe injuries to his legs. k It appears that the unfortunate man was knocked down and run over by a waggon at Porth Station, and his condition was so serious as to necessitate his immediate removal to the infirmary. He was I conveyed to Cardiff, and at the infirmary it was found necessary to amputate both legs—one above and the other below the knee. Inquiries at the infirmary late on Thursday night showed that the injured man was progressing as well as could be expected.

THE VERY BEST BARGAIN for a penny is a copy iofthe Cardiff Times and South Wales Weekly News' It is a large 72 column paper crowded full of new stories by popular novelists, special articles, and news ol Bw we k

QUARANTINE AT HAMBURG. HAMBURG, Thursday.-Three days' quarantine has been imposed on all veesels arriving here from Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Havre, Hull, and Grimsby, the captain alone being allowed to land during that period.—Jteuter.

WHOLESALE MURDER OF CHILDREN. TWO WOMEN ARRESTED. VLKNNA, Thursday.—Considerable sensation has been caused by the arrest, in the ICuttenburg district of Bohemia, of two women charged witli the wholesale murder of illegitimate children who were brought to them shortly after birth. 1 no mothers (mostly of the domestic servant cln..s) often travelled long distances to bring then- offspring to the prisoners, who were paid at the rato of five florins for each infant, it being well understood that the babies were to be made away with. The women did not live together, ouo resided in different villages.—Reuter.

Two sons of the late Siamese twins, Chang and Eng, are living on adjoining farms which their fathers bought in Surrey Co., N.C., after retiring from the show business. The great spot-stroke player, Mr W. J. Peall, has many feminine pupils. The finest lady billiard player of the day is Lady Elena Wick- ham, who carried off a handicap in the spring. Lady Angela Erskine, half-sister of the Duchess of Sutherland, and only just out, while maintaining the family claim to beauty, shows that she possesses brains as well. This brilliant young lady is already an authoress of no mean order. CABKRINE is a plaster as thin as silk, which never fails to remove Corns and Bunions and reduce Enlarged Toe Joints without the slightest pain, is 1 /2d, post free K stamps.-Howell, Chemist, The ^estgate, Newport. Mon. U<l2

FATAL FIT WHILE BATHING. Between seven and eight o'clock on Thursday morning Mr T. W. Shannon, of 5, Mortlock- terrace. Torquay, went for a bathe in the sea off the sands along the Torbay-road. After swimming for a time on his side, a lad named Walter Joint saw him suddenly turn on his face in the water and remain perfectly still. The attention of Mr Sydney Smith, a hair- dresser, was called to it, and he brought Shannon to the shore. He was then dead. An inquest was held at the Pavilion Temperance Hotel by Mr S. Hacker. Dr. A. J. M. Bentley naid deceased probably had a fit in the water. Death was due to drowning. A verdict was returned in accordance with the medical testimony. Deceased was 56 years of age and was a lodging-house keeper.

LATE SHIPPING NEWS. [LLOYD'S TELEGRAMS.] A Constantinople telegram states that tho British steamer Tarpeia is reported ashore at ]I Bebek, in the Bosphorus.

SUPPRESSING A HOME RULE AGITATION. PRAGUE, Thursday.—Following up the decree of the Austro-Hungarian ministry suspending certain constitutional rights of the inhabitants of the city of Prague and its environs owing to the Home Rule agitation, the Governor-General co- day issued a proclamation prohibiting all assem- day issued a proclamation prohibiting all assem- blages in public squares or thoroughfares, the parading of the streets in bands, the ostentatious wearing of badges, and carrying and displaying of flags, with the exception of the Imperial and National colours.— Reuter.

Superior Judge William Conley, of California, is the youngest judge of any court of record in the United Slates. He is just 26 years old. Lord Gormanston, the new Governor of Tas- mania, received a warm welcome on landing at Hobart Town. He give3 promise of great popularity. RENEWED HEALTH AND Vic-ourt.Stifferers from nervous exhaustion and those looking and feeling prematurely old, should at once resort to electricity as a certain remedy. Harness's Elec- tropathic Belt exercises tonic and invigorating influences, arrests organic disease and nervous mischief, re-vitalises impoverished blood, and restores to normal health. It is unfailing. Advice free. Write for pamphlet and consultation form to describe your complaint to Mr C. B. Harness, 52. Oxford-street. London. W.

A SETTLEMENT ARRIVED AT. NON.SOCIETY MEN JOIN THE UNION. The threatened lock-out of Cardiff Unionist masons by the members of the local Master Builders' Association has happily been averted. Although up to a late hour on Wednesday night there was little hope of settlement of the dis- pute, there was the next-morning every reason for believing that no further cessation of work, would take place. In accordance with the resolu- • tion of the Master Builders' Association, the members on Thursday morning generally put up one-day notices to terminate engagements with their men, thisbeing done by several firms on the previous afternoon. Determined that should there ensue a discontinuance of work it should be forced upon them by lock-out, the Unionist workmen attended their jobs on Thursday. morning, and decided to work out the notice. The strike committee met early to dis- cuss the situation and to forward preparations for the payment of the usual out-of-work pay to their fellows, and, noticing the altered tone of the employers as indicated by an interview published that morning with the associa- tion secretary, Mr Shepherd, they (so they put it to our representative) felt that the masters had wrongly construed the action of the Unionists in the employ of Mr Dunn in believing that a species of guerilla warfare was to be carried out by theirorganisation. The Union- ists, they maintain, were, as fully explained in our yesterday's issue, simply carrying out a policy fully endorsed by their general executive—in fact, merely conforming to the rules ot their society in endeavouring to increase its strength. During the morning it became known that now not only have the two old Unionists—who seceded and refused to pay up arrears and who are said to have been mainly instrumental in forcing the present crisis — rejoined the society, but the non Unionists have paid the initiation fees, and will in due course be admitted to membership. This being so, the dispute was ended as far as the men are concerned. Under these greatly altered circumstances one of the Unionist masons' officials waited upon some of bhe associated employers in the afternoon, he being instructed to do so by his colleagues, who feel there is no loss of dignity in their thus giving opportunity to the employers to ascertain officially the real nature of the case. Inquiry of members of the Unionists' Strike Committee elicited that the deputation appointed by them had been so well received by Mr Dunn that he would have been pleased if the men who struck on his work resumed operations there and then. It was explained that the men having been instructed to abandon work by their lodge they were unable to resume work until after the decision of the district lodge meeting which instructed them to abandon their work. It transpired that several of the masters had communicated with Mr Dunn, and finding that the difficulty had been overcome they expressed willingness to withdraw the notices they had issued to their men, as the dispute, in their opinion, was practically settled. Some of the masons who did not go to work on Thursday morning, acting under the instructions of the officials of the Union, who found they misapprehended the position of affairs, resumed work during the day, and only in one case were the men who had been given notice paid off. The Unionists' executive were rather surprised at this course, inferring that the whole of the master builders in the Association would have been notified during the afternoon of the settlement of the dispute between the Union and the rest of Mr Dunn's men, for the resolution passed by the Association on Monday night ran as follows — That this association learns with regret of the action ot the operative stonemasons in withdrawing the society masons who were in the employ cf Mr C. C. Dunn, and hereby determines that in the event of these men not returning to work oil or before Wednesday morning next, notices shall be posted at the various shops of each member of this association on Thursday morning next calling upon every societv mason to leave the employ. Lack of the knowledge of the altered circum- stances of the case was the reason found by the men for the action of Mr Lattey, tho employer in question.

LLANDAFF UPPER DEANERY. VOLUNTARY SCHOOLS AND THE RATES. IMPORTANT PROPOSALS. A meeting of the RurideC4.nal Chapter was held on Thursday at the National Schoolroom, Llanishen, the Rev. Canon Thompson, D.D., rural deau, presiding. After prayers and a portion of the Greek Testament had been read, the chairman delivered an excellent and thought- ful address on The Future of our Voluntary Schools, and Proposals concerning them." In the course of his remarks he observed that the subject was one of the utmost moment to the Church. He reviewed the position of the national schools of the country, showing that although there were many schools in a strong and healthy position, yet there were many that were weak and almost insolvent. And, to the great dis- credit of a wealthy Church like the Church of England, there were about 40 schools handed over yearly to school boards. He pointed out the many disabilities under which they were labour- ing, such as the 17s 6d grant limit, the reduction of school fees since the intro- duction of free education, the pressure brought upon voluntary schools by the present Education Department, and then suggested some means by which the difficulties could be met. The clergy and laity should be more alive to the importance of Church schoo's and the schools in each diocese might be affiliated under one board. As for the financial difficulties, he could see no reason why assistance from the public rates should not be granted and though under such circumstances we could only expect that the public should have a share in their management, that would not destroy their voluntary character nor necessarily alienate the voluntary contributions of private subscribers. Several of the members present spoke in the dis- cussion which followed, and the two following resolutions were proposed and carried :— 1. That in the opinion of this chapter it is desirable in the interests of denominational education that the authorities of the various denominational bodies, e.g., Church of England, Roman Catholic, and Wesleyan, should confer toeLher with a view to the formation of a common school policy. 2. That in the opinion of this chapter the claim of voluntary schools to a share of the rates is an equitable one. The sitting closed with the benediction, and the chapter was afterwards entertained to luncheon and tea at the vicarage by Mr and Mrs Dovey.

THE PROPOSED BANQUET TO VETERANS. PROGRESS OF THE CARDIFF MOVEMENT. The secretary of the movement to entertain to a banquet in Cardiff veterans of the Crimean War and the Indian Mutiny has received many letters from noblemen and leading gentlemen in South Wales extending warm encouragoment to tho movement. It was intended to hold the banquet on November 5, the anniversary of the battle of Inkermann, but as that date falls on a Sunday, and in view of the arrival from Malta a.t Pembroke Dock of the 1st Battalion Welsh Regiment, it has been decided to postpone the function to a. later date not yet fixed. It is expected that the band of the Welsh Regiment will be permitted to attend and play the veterans from the Drill-hall to the banquet- ting-hall. The promoters wish it to be distinctly understood that the celebration will include veterans of the Indian Mutiny as well as Crimean heroes. Invitations have been extended to soldiers formerly of the 1st Battalion Welsh Regiment, in various parts of the kingdom, who wear the Legion of Honour and the French war medal for distinguished conduct in the field.

THE WELSH LAND COMMISSION. +- THE COURT AT DOLGELLEY, A LAND AGENT'S ROSEATE VIEW OF AGRICULTURE. EVIDENCE OF THE PREVIOUS DAY DENIED. PENALISING A TENANT FOR ASKING FOR A REDUCTION. LAND AGENTS AND THE LAND LEAGUE. A STRANGE DOCTRINE OF LAND- LORDS' RIGHTS. [FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT. J DOLGKLLE Y, Thursday. The Welsh Land Commissioners during their short sitting to-day at Dolgelley were furnished again with ample evidence that the condition of the average Welsh farmer is truly a pitiable one. For several hours in the morning Mr Slaney Wynn, an agent of 30 years' experience on most important estates in North Wales, was at con- siderable pains to show that really, after all said and done, the grievances complained of were very shadowy, and that the tillers of the soil were in comfortable circumstances on the whole, and on the best of terms with the landowners in those districts. In proof of this he referred with just pride to the handsome portrait presented to him by tenants when he severed his connection with the Wynnstay estates, aud professed to discover in the election of a tenant farmer's son as member for that county an undeniable proof that tenant farmers, as a class, were fairly well-to- do. He drew a rosy picture of the comfort that prevailed all round, and when con- fronted with the fact that such a calamity a.s agricultural depression was really in existence, he ingeniously utilised this as. an excllsefordescrib- ing at some length the hardship and loss which such a depression entailed not upon tenants, but upon owners of the soil, whose establishment ex- penses had in consequence to be substantially eur< tailed. Unhappily for Mr Wynn's theories, the repre- sentative tenant farmers who succeeded him in the witness-box had a very. different tale to unfold. Their case had been well prepared by Mr F. Llewellyn Jones, secretary of the North Wales Liberal Federation, and proofs of their evidence were handed to the commissioners for perusal. Most of these witnesses spoke in Welsh, and their testimony was admirably interpreted by Mr T. E. Morris, a rising young barrister from the neighbourhood of Portmadoc. The farmers, without exception, complained of extortionaterents, shameful violation of agreements, and entire want of sympathy with them on the part of the landlords in periods of agricultural distress. ID- dividual cases of hardship were ventilated, which, for the credit of Wales, it is hoped are exceptional. The consideration of the famous Caereinion case occupied a good deal of time. Mr David Evans, once the tenant and now the owner of that farm, unhesitatingly declared his belief that he had been victimised on account of his activity in the anti-tithe movement, and the subsequent formation of the Welsh Land League. Mr W. B. C. Jones, of Criccieth, the agent of Mr Ellis Nanney, of whose estate Caereinion once formed part, denied this with a good deal of vehemence. Mr Jones's demonstrative manner in the witness- box rather deepened than otherwise the impression made by the previous witnesses as to his general attitude towards the tenants on the various estates under his control. He described the Caereinion case as a farce and humbug, got up for political pur- poses, and endeavoured with a good deal of persis- tence to hand in a voluminous pamphlet which he had written describing the said farce, and exposing the dark and dire methods of the fearful beings who composed the Welsh Land League. Lord Carrington, however, steadfastly declined the proffered pamphlet, and administered » gentle snub to the Criccieth agent by reminding him that if he so felt inclined to unbosom himself of more he might do so. Mr Brynmor Jones meanwhile had secured a, copy of the precious pamphlet, and read out to the court a copious extract of its con- tents, laying special emphasis on the copy of the letter contained in it addressed to Mr Gee, in which the witness referred to the formation of the Welsh Land League, and inf&ftned Mr Gee that "if your league have to employ Scoundrels to shoot a landlord or two there is nothing to pre- vent the return of the compliment," Mr W. B. C. Jones was not, however, in the least abashed. He declared he still adhered to every word he had written, and pointed with pride to the fact that combination of tenants in North Wales had been followed by an equally strong combination of landlords, and yet but a few hours before Mr Slaney Wynn was endeavouring to persuade Lord Carrington and his colleagues that all was peace and comfort on the agricultural estates of North Wales. To- morrow's sitting will be at Barmouth, and there, I hear, there are over a score of witnesses ready and anxious to speak. [FROM OUR REPORTER.] On Thursday the Welsh Land Commission sab at Dolgelley, Lord Carrington presiding, and all the other members except Mr Grove were present. The same gentlemen represented the landowning and tenants' interests as on previous days. The attendance was fair. To save time anangementt, were made by detailing three Commissioners of Welsh witnesses in another room, white other evidence was being taken in the principal court. A ROSEATE VIEW. Mr Owen SlanGY Wynn, of Peniarth Pennal, Machynlleth, Dolgelley, said for;17 years he was chief agent of Sir W. W. Wynn, and on his retirement the tenants presented him with a portrait of himself as a token of the cordial rela- tions existing between them. He wished to give evidence as shortly as possible. As a retired land agent and estate auditor of 30 years' standing, he referred to the estates in Merionethshire, Montgomeryshire, Denbighshire, Flintshire, and the Welsh part of Shropshire, numbering 60 parishes. He advocated enclosing of sheep runs where practicable, as it prevented disputes. Sometimes farmers overworked sheepwaiks they occupied conjointly, leading to quarrelling, but when walks were fenced the overcrowding farmer was the only sufferer. As a rule the larger estates were: better managed than smaller ones. No consideration of politics or religion interfered with the management of estates. Tenants did not like leases. There were clauses in agreements that tenants should receive compensation for land taken from them for planting [or otherwise, and for timber cutting, and compensation was always given for land taken for quarries or mining. The penalising clauses in some agree- ments were never enforced they were put in to provide against very bad tenants. Theee were not many commons, but there were rights of pasturage which were always taken into account when rent was settled. Many landlord* required their tenants to keep each a dog from their kennels and to carry coal, but these clauses were never irksome. Rents were sometimes fixed by valuation, but generally by private arrange- ment. Holdings were not let, so far as he knew, to the highest bidders, and farms remained in the occupation of the same families for generations. Farms were sometimes consolidated for con. venience sake, but some; (holdings bad been divided, and sheepwaiks given to lowland farms. Sub-letting was not permitted in agreements, but sometimes it occurred, and landlords winked at it. Small farms frequently produced more than large ones, comparatively, becanse of tha better average of land, and small farmers were better off in proportion as they laboured in other places to add to their income. No land was going out of cultivation, but it did not pay to cultivate waste land, its the first cost was enormous, and the reclaimed land required very great care. Landlords did almost all the improvements themselves. Tenants did the carrying, but if they left soon afterwards were compensated. He had given compensation for the generally imprcved state of farms. The Agricultural Holdings Act appeared a dead letter. On some estates there were rabbits, hares, and other game, but tenants freely availed themselves of the Ground Game Act. There was now hardly a hare in the country. Compensation was given for damage by game, and tenants were not expected to beat covers, but often went to see the sport. The relations between landlord and tenant were friendly on that point. It was a. public benefit that a great deal of game should be sold often at less prices than were obtained for barndoor fowls. Very little attention was paid to cottage or market gardens except where landiords had established cottage garden shows. Every farm had some poultry, and did a fairly large egej trade, but there were no poultry farms. Many farms wero unsuitable for fruit-growing but poultry-keeping might be made a source of better profit. The instruction given in dairy classes established by the technical instruction committees had done a great deal of good. Very little good cheese was made, and very few places in North Wales were more tnan ten miles from railway stations. In some cases the rates were high, but this was as a rule made too much of. Formerly days were spent in driving cattle to English markets, but now English dealers attended all Welsh fairs and took cattle back with them. Landlords largely assisted in getting the railways made by giving land or selling it cheap, and taking shares. He knew of no co-operation between landlord and tenant, or employer and employed. He though6 combination among farmers for analysing manures, for butter factories, and selling produce, would be advantageous. The farmers did not usually insure stock. The number of wronrietarv farmers had decreased. It was better