South Wales Daily News

NEW COLLIERY RULES. The proceedings of the arbitration between the Home Office and the colliery owners of Eastern Glamorganshire with reference to the special colliery rules were resumed on Saturday at the Engineers' Institute, Cardiff, before his Honour Judge Lewis, umpire. Mr W. Beattie Scott, chief inspector of mines for South Staffordshire, and Mr Arthur Stokes, chief inspector for the Midland coalfield, were called on behalf of the Home Department; and Mr Richard Bedlington and Mr Thomas Henry Bailey, Plymouth, gave evidence for the coalowners. The latter was undsr cross-examination when the proceedings were further adjourned till May 10th, but possibly there will be a hearing in the interim.

THE "NORTHERN LIGHTS." There was a remarkable and beautiful display of the aurora borealis, or Northern Lights, visible at Oswestry on Friday night, lasting about three hours. A broad arc of brilliant white light stretched from east to west of the horizon, and after a time the sky above each end became lined with a deep rosy red colour, whilst from the arc itself the streamers shot far across the sky.

LlYER COMPLAINTS.—Dr. King's Dandelion and Quinine Liver Pills, without Mercury, remove allLiver and Stomach Complaints, Biliousness, Headache, Sick- ness, Indigestion, Complaints. 1162 A NEW STORY, by Harry Blyth. will be commenced in the Cardiff Times and South Wales Weekly News" on Saturday next, entitled Her Parlin^Fot"

MINERS' EIGHT HOURS DAY. WILL IT CAUSE A COAL TRADE CRISIS? LOCAL OPTION AS AN AMEND- MENT. WHY NOT BALLOT AT ALL THE COLLIERIES ? [BY A RHONDDA ECONOMIST.] I concluded the previous article by stating that th? enforcement of the proposed legal eight hours' system would considerably restrict the output. I affirmed this in consequence of the men's representatives' declaration that the limitation of the hours to nine, or if the miners throughout South Wales and Mon- mouthshire strictly observed the nine hours rule, and put.down tools and go out of the collieries when the time was up, the output would be reduced by about 20 per cent. A reduction of the hours to eight from bank to bank would con- sequently reduce the output further at least 20 per cent, making a total of 40 per cent at least less quantity of coal sent out of th" South Wales collieries if the proposed legal eight hours' day come into force. One strange feature of the question is the fact that MrD. A. Thomas, M.P., and Mr David Morgan, Aberdare, entertain no doubt whatever that the majority of the men in their own districts are against the Bill, whilst Mabon and Daronwy and other leaders of the workmen in the Rhondda Valleys and adjacent districts are quite as confident that the miners even in the Aber- dare and Mertbyr districts are almost unanimous for the measure as introduced into Parliament. The question would have been settled long ago if the Bill had been explained, or rather if the con- sequences of the Bill had been elucidated to the miners and a ballot taken upon the matter. I have not the least doubt myself that in less than two or three months after the Bill, if it passe,, has come into operation that the great bulk of the miners ot South Wales and Monmouthshire will greatiy regret having allowed it to become law. The impression on the minds of most of the members of the House of Commons is that Mr Abraham is an infallible mouthpiece of the miners in his own constituency. No one questions Mr Abraham's sincerity in the matter. His sole object unquestionably in agitating for the passing of the Bill is TO AMELIORATE THE CONDITION OP THE MINERS. I' Taking Mr Abraham all in all, I think he is head and shoulders, as a leader, above all the other representatives in South ^Talps and Monmouth- shire. But I thir.k the hon. member would be greatly surprised at the result of a ballot at the various collieries. What a splendid trump card the hon. gentleman would have for use in the course of the forthcoming debate in the House of Commons if he could submit statistics showing that the Rhondda miners were almost unanimous in favour of the Bill. Upon very small questions the men in the valleys have at the request of the association balloted many times. Therefore, whv not test the feelings of the men regarding this monumental proposal of eight hours' day in all collieries throughout the country ? My opinion is that the enforcement I of such a proposrl would cituse a great crisis 1U the coal trade of South Wales and Monmouth- shire particularly. I believe the Bill will pass through the House of Commons in some shape; but the backers of the Bill declare that it must pass in its entirety otherwise they will not have it at all. This is Mr Sam Woods' opinion. Probably it will be moved that A LOG ALL OPTION CLAUSE BE INSERTED in the Bill permitting the various districts to decide the question of hours themselves. Of course, a clause of the kind would certainly destroy the Bill. Northumberland and Durham wouid decide against legislative interference. Then it stands to reason that South Wales and Monmouthshire would not limit their hours of working to about seven or eight from bank to bank, while other districts were working full nine hours and over per day. South Wales would handicap itself it it did that. It would throw away its trade recklessly. Therefore, local option must be a failure. But South Wales would also be handicapped if the Bill passed, compared with Northumberland and Durham and other districts in England. The South Wales miners are bitterly opposed to double shift on the coal; in the northern districts the double shift is adopted in all the collieries. It is said that the passing of the Bill would cause the employment of two shifts of lads instead of one as engaged at present. The output in the Durham nd the Northumberland collieries would, therefore, not be reduced if an increased number of hands were employed. Mr Sam Woods was interviewed the other day by an English journal's representative, and he is reported to have stated that the time occupied by the miners in travelling from the bank to the working places in the mines in South Wales could be considerably reduced. Mr Woods does not give any details of his theory. The men now travel as fast as they possibly can in walking. A large number of the men have daily,: in going from the surface to the working places in many of the large pits in the Rhondda Valleys, to travel about a mile and a half, because the farthest end of the workings is about that distance from the bottom of the shafts. Several suggestions have been thrown out with a view to reducing the distance. A leaderette appeared a couple of years ago in a contemporary which is an enthusiastic advocate of the proposed legal eight hours' day dealing superficially with the question. The writer oonsidered that in collieries where the distance was great from the bottom of the shaft to the extremity of the workings ADDITIONAL PITS SHOULD BE SUNK to shorten the lone distance travelled by the men. But some of our South Wales leaders have sug- gested something of the kind for the purpose of redressing the grievance. If an Act of Parlia- ment enforced a proposal of that sort the Ocean Collierie?, for instance, would be ruined, and many, or indeed most, of the large collieries in the Rhondda Valleys and in other districts in South Wales would be also ruined. The working places or the mines extend far underneath the mountains separating valleys from valleys. Consequently, to carry out such proposals, or the sinking of pits on the summit of the steep high hills, would cost an enormous sum of money. Some of the exiting shafts are from 500 to 600 yards in depth. The depth of the proposed pits on the summit of the hills would be at least about 800 yards. What absurd proposals are sometimes made even by men thoroughly acquainted with underground affairz. And assuming that it would not increase the cost of production in sinking the proposed shafts, how on earth would such additional pits reduce the distance now travelled by the miners to their working-places ? The miners would have to walk to the additional pits or be conveyed to them. Travelling or climbing up the steep mountains every morning would not by any means be a pleasure trip, especially in the winter season or wet weather. When we find proposals so absurd as this emanating from persons recognised as thoroughly practical and most experienced it is evident that in discussing big questions and analysing Bills such as the Miners' Eight Hours' Bill it is impossible to be too critical and severe in the examination.

SMALL-POX AT CARDIFF. ALLEGATIONS AGAINST A MEDICAL OFFICER. THE DOCTOR EXONERATED. At Saturday's meeting of the Cardiff Board of Guardians the chairman, Mr Plain, stated that the relief committee had that morning fully investi- gated the allegations which had been made against J Dr. Rees, one of the district medical officers of the union, to the effect that he had recommended a patient for admission to the workhouse infirmary on the ground that he was suffering from catarrh and alcoholism, when on examination by Dr, Williams, the resident medical officer, it was found that the man was suffering from small-pox. The committee, after ascertaining all the circum- stances, were unanimously of opinion that no blame was to be attached to Dr. Rees in the matter, Alderman Jacobs pointing out that the patient did not apply for admission to the infirmary until 24 hours after the order of admission had been g-iven to him, and that when examined by Dr. Rees no rash was to be discovered on the man's body, nor anything to create any suspicion of small-pox. He further pointed out that it was not until the second day after he was admitted to the infirmary that it was discovered that he was suffering from small-pox.—The board, under these 'I circumstances, were agreed that no blame could be attached to Dr. Rees in the matter, whilst feeling at the same time that every credit was due to Dr. Williams for detecting the case. I

STRIKE OF FITTERS AT MERTHYIi. The month's notice given by the fitters, turners, smiths, &c., at Plymouth Collieries, Merthyr, terminated on Saturday, and it appears no settlement has yet been tffected therefore, the men affected are now out on strike.

DELEGATE MEETING AT CRUMLIN. A private meeting of delegates was held at Crumlin on Saturday evening, delegates being I present from various works of the district. Altnough the mosb rigid reticence is shown as to the real business of the meeting, our corres- pondent was able to gather that the main question under discussion was the offer to be made in the shape of a concession to Mr P. S. Phillips, of the Machen, Pontymister, Aberfcillery, and Nantyglo Works,. A delegate was present from the Ponlyinigter Works, but he would not divulge at the Jneotins* the real cou- cession they were giving at Pentymister, but it is being freely muted that such concession amounts to no less than 25 per cent., and with the object of getting at the facts the meeting was ad- journed to Tuesday.

'f CARDIFF'S INDUSTRIES PROSPECTS OF THE FUTURE, THE PETROLEUM TRADE. This is a growing trade at Cardiff, and being an "import," is especially interesting to the inhabitants, who are desirous to foster an import trade, and do away with the aHeation-so much used in commercial circles at other ports-that Cardiff is merely a coal pyrt." Unfortunately the chamber of commerce has omitted in their pp0jV0 ?e details of imports for 1393 at Cardiff. We have had, therefore, to look to another source for our information. The following is a summary of the business, both local and national, for the purpose of showing how we are progressing in this business. The first figures given for Cardiff were in 1888, thorefore we give the returns from that year 188 9 ar,3,0o9 189 0 2,793,931 53'19! 189 1 4,807,694 102 517 189 2 1.727,063 37 3S9 189 3 2,071,279 (about) 34.'fiOO -11 In the year 1891 the largest quantity was nn ported. The value amounted to l-27th of the total value of the imports at Cardiff that year. It is, however, gratifying to see that last year the quantity was again considerably increased. The principal ports importing petroleum and the quantities for 1893 were as follows T „ /t v American oil. Russian Total. London (barrels) 903,2S0 337,27u 1,295,550 Liverpool do 457,561 225 747 7S1 v>3 ^jf1 f 20,703 Sis Hull clo 158,0^4 158 024 Dub in do. 98,626 98 626 Shields do. 66,975 21,004 87,979 Belfast do. 32,946 37 989 70 955 Barrow do 26,150 32' 81 U'em Cardiff do 30,419 20ac0 5o'519 All Ottier ports are below the limit of 50,000 arrely. The bairel averages about 41 gallons; The xtussian oil seoms to be increasing at a taster rate than the Amencan, though only as yet less than half of the latter in total quantity. For in7007A°a; Ln 18^3 the,American oil amounted to 1,392,004 barrels; the Russian to 502 barrels l'^fl nsq'! i American return was L Darrels' and the Russian 807,600 barrels Another way of looking atthequestion is this:—' Petroleums imported into the United KlnO'rlnm 188 8 9?177,807. 1889 102,647,478 2591733 Wil 104,800,146 2,389,111 130,61b, 3o0 2,685,368 1093 i-2'I ok oof 2,446,906 105,125,987 2.548.577 In comparing the progress made here with our own port, as shown above, it appears that CARDIFF LAST TEAR HAS INCREASED ninety-one per cent. over the figures of 1888,, and the national account 65 per cent. The spurt last year was, however, in favour of the national return. The value, curiously enough, has not liicieased and, therefore, the price of the gallon of oil has fallen from 6%d, in 1888, to 4d in 1891. ltiei facilities for storing are convenient and almost unlimited at the Ely Wharf. It is, there- fore, probable that we shall hear of another in- crease for 1894 by-and-bye. The position of Bristol in ttlig expansive import is a guarantee of J Tn she likes to "lay along- side. In 1890 Bristol imported 7% million gallons, and last year 9l/2 (nearly), showing an increase cf about two million gallons. Cardiff must strive for lower rates to the Midlands, and put more capital into the business, and success will soon follow. Why such an increase as 25 million gallons, or between 4,000 and 5,000 tons, in 1893 for the national use ? Are we using more tank steamers, and driving them with oil instead of coal? A ton of oil will DO THK WORK OF THREE TONS OF COAL and save labour at that. Well, we have tried a few of these boats, but the most of the oil is used for domestic purposes and other purposes than for raising steam. It is, however, an enormous quantity for this coal country to consume, namely, about 700,000 tons. It shows the ex- pansiveness and vitality of our general trade. It will take a long time before oil can supplant coal. The estimated quantity of oil (petroleum) raised per annum is about ten million cons, whereas the amount of coal raised is over 500 million tons. That is, in both cases, the whole world over. The' output of petroleum is increasing, so is that of coal, and the demand for each in its particular sphere of action is also increasing. Therefore there is little to be apprehended from theantagon- ism of each in the competition of the world's markets. ,-¡r-- 4

DISTRESSING STREET ACCIDENT AT LYDNEY. A CIRCUS PROPRIETOR'S WIFE KILLED. Harris's Australian Circus, which had been psrformmg on Friday at Newnham-on-Severn, reached Lydney on Saturday at mid-day, and tents were pitched in the recreation ground at I Newerne. In the afternoon there was the usual procession through the streets, and whilst this was in progress an awful calamity occurred,which involved the death of the wife of the proprietor, Mr and Mrs Harris were sitting on a splendid chariot, and as the chariot reached the neighbourhood of the Feathers' Hotel, the horse attached to the car m ques- tion bolted, and became unmanageable. Deeming it the best thing to do under the cir- cumstances, both attempted to get off the carriage, and in doing so the lady's dress caught in some part of the trappings, and she was thus thrown, as she sprang, violently to the ground, head foremost. The procession was stopped and assistance promptly rendered, but the unfortunate young lady succumbed to her injuries imme- diately. The proprietor himself sustained some injuries, though they were not of a very serious nature.

Sttsimsa ^titrnsses. B EVANS AND £ j0MPANY Are now offering their orRAND STOCK OF CARPETS, RUGS, FLOOR CLOTHS, &c., IT PRICES MUCH LOWER THAN THEY HAVE REACHED FOR MANY YEARS PAST. They also draw Special Attention to a JYJAGNIFICENT COLLECTION OF CABINET JJlURNITURE FOR HALL, LIBRARY, DINING-ROOM, DRAWING-ROOM, BEDROOM, &c. lit FURNITURE GUARANTEED THOROUGHLY RELI tBLE AND WELL MADE. ESTIMATES AND DESIGNS FREE. The CHOICEST DESIGNS in FURNISHING MATERIALS, consisting of GOBELIN TAPESTRIES, 3ROCATKJ..LES, BURMESE CLOTHS, IMPERIAL HSLVKTEENS, CRETONNES, DIMITIES, &c. BLINDS, MANTEL BORDERS, FRINGES, TRIMMINGS, &c. JrHE ~jZg~OUSEHOLP INEN APARTMENTS JONTAIN EVERY REQUISITE FOR THE HOUSE. THE SELECTION IS IMMENSE, AND THE VALUE THE VERY BEST. TEMPLE-STREET. SWANSEA, MARCH, 1894. 1046 'KARDOMAH" TEAS Pure, Wholesome, and Delicious. 'KARDOMAH" TEAS Pure, Wholesome, and Delicious. KARDOMAH TEAS Pare, Wholesome, and Delicious. TEAS Pure, Wholesome, and Delicious, la 4d, Is 8d, 2s, 2s 4d, 2s 8d. Thousands of people throughout the country, ncluding doctors, connoisseurs, and aJl classes (rink" KARDOMAH" TEAS, and numberless jestimonials, by post and otherwise, bearing1 wit- less to its delicious quality, are received daily. Wholesale and Retail Depots for South Wales CARDIFF: 14, QUEEN-STREET, SWANSEA 232, HIGH STREET, ALSO LIVERPOOL, LONDON, AND PARIS. PROPRIETORS— THE LIVERPOOL CHINA AND INDIA TEA CO. (LIMITED). GOVERNMENT CONTRACTORS. Applications from energetic Tradesmen wishing 10 Sell this Tea will receive prompt attention. 4524 91e FURNITURE ESTABLISHED OVER 1HB.EE- CARPETS FURMTURE QUARTEKS CENTURY. CARPETS FURNITURE —— CARPETS FURNITURE <VNOD AB.TLSTIC AND CARPETS FURNITURE ° CARPETS FURNITURE INEXPENSIVE. CARPETS FURNITURE CARPETS FURNITURE ——— CARPETS FURNITURE „TT WTTV CARPETS FURNITURE BEFORE YOU BUY CARPETS FURNITURE FURNITURE CARPETS FURNITURE CARPETS FURNITURE OR CARPETS FURNITURE N A DP1?MC CARPETS FURNITURE LAKP-HILFE, CARPETS DO NOT FAIL TO CARPETS FURMTURE VISIT CARPETS FLRNITUIIE CARPETS FURNIT URE T AVERTON & CO. CARPETS FURNITURE 1 4 CARPETS FURNITURE CARPETS FURNITURE CABINET MAKERS, CARPETS FURMTURE CARPETS FURNITURE UPHOLSTERERS, CARPETS FURNITUR! HOUSE FURNISHERS, CAIPITI FUINCTTOI MARY-LE-PORT STREET CARPETS FURNrrURE ASD CARPETS FURNITURE BRIDGE STREET. CARPETS FUR- ITU RE BRISTOL CARPETS FURNITURE J>KIO-VLI CARPETS FURNITURE ——— CARPETS FURNITURE; THEIR SHOWROOMS, CARPETS JTJRNITURI, AVV APTJLI1 R\T CARPETS FURNITUK/P V ER ONE AUK-K IJN CARPETS FURNITUSK EXTENT CARPETS FURNITU'iE CARPETS FURNIT^ RE CONTAIN CARPETS FURNITURE THE LARGEST, BEST, CARPETS FURNITURE AND CARPETS FURNITURE CHEAPEST STOCK CARPETS FURNITURE IN THE CARPETS FURNITURE WEST OF ENGLAND. CARPETS t 11?9 -d g T 0 N E gROSv) K? (Sons of the late Aid. Gains Augustus Stone), COMPLETE FUNERAL FURNISHERS AND FUNERAL DIRECT RS. Every requisite for Funerals of all classes. Proprietors of Funeral Cars, Hearses, Shilli- biers, and Coaches. Superb Flemish Horses, &c, Price List on Application. Please Note the Only Address: — 5, WORKING-STREET Telegraphic Address "STONE BROS., CARDIFF.' 4332 ILLIAMS'S JptJRNISHING JgJMPORIUM, JC JCj 14, JJIGH-STREET, CARDIFF, Is the TALK of Town and Country. IMMENSE SUCCESS OF LOW PRICES FOR BEST GOODS. CASH victorious over CREDIT and HIRE SYSTEMS. WILLIAMS'S STOCK OF FURNITURE, W Household Requisites and Ornaments is the HANDSOMEST. BEST, CHEAPEST, MOST VARIED AND REPLETE in all Wales. Please call and see it. ILLIAMS'S customers have saved from 30 ▼v to 50 per cent. of tha credit shop charges and auction prices, and ob- tained better value. DO LIKEWISE WILLIAMS'S Show of Furniture is Magni- V cent the prices are marvellously low, and the qualities not surpassable. Compare these sample Prices :— Good Leather Snite, Williams's make, warranted £4 17s 6d. Solid Walnut; Suites in Saddlebags, £11118. Cheap Saddlebag Suites, 6% guineas. Double Woven Wire 1attres, 12s 6d. Wool Overlay Mattress, 12s lid. Mail Cart, buff leather, with hood, 32. 6d. AU Brass Curb Fender, 13i! lid. Fire (or Fender) Brasses, 2. 3d to 50s per set. Iron Bedsteads from 9* lid. Solid Walnut Bedroom Suite, 4ft., 10 guineas. Triumph Baby Chairs (4 positions), Us 9d. Princess May Rocker, in Brussels Carpet, lis 9d. WILLIAMS'S Deliver all Goods Free, and end competent Workmen to fix in position, ready or use, Free of Charge. Call and judge or yourself at THE jpURNISHING JgMPORlUM, 14, HIGH-STREET, A R D I F F J 3364 S E S S ION SAN D SON S, Importers and Manufacturers of TIMBER, SLATES. CEMENT, BUILDING MATERIALS, CHIMNEY PIECES, RANGES, GRATES, okc., &C. 3855 Show Rooms— PENARTH-ROAD. CARDIFF. 65e I HEREBY GIVE NOTICE that I, GF.ORGE PRICE, of 68, Baglan-street, Treher- bert, WILL OT be RESPONSIBLE for any DEBTS contracted by my wife, SUSAN PRICE. Signed, GEORGE PRICE. Witness— JOHN JOHN, 60, Baglan-street, Treherbert. Treherbert, March 27th, 1394. Cambriaa Furniture Mart, Quay-street, Cardiff. MESSRS W. BRADLEY & SON will SELL by AUCTION, on TUESDAY, April Vd, vrml'sr distress for rent, a large quantity of HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE, Mangles, <fec. Sale at <<M<M<)k. I gtusiness ^t&rrasss. ROGERS' AK ALES AND PORTERS In4Vj GallonCasksandnpwards PALE AND MILD ALES froml Odper Gallon PORTER AND STOUTS from Is per Gallon BREWERY, BRISTOL. CARDIFF STORES, WORKIN G-STREET 9 1161 rj^REMENDOUS DOWNFALL IN THE FRICE OF JJAMS AND BACON, JLJL AT I L I P T 0 N p S JJAMS I U. AMS! JiUL JDL The Best Value ever offered to the Public Cured in my own Establishments THE FINEST IN THE WORLD! NOW REDUCED TO PER 7D. LB. NO HIGHER PRICE. OTHER CHOICE QUALITIES, PER gD. & glD. LB. B A C 0 N B' A C ON J'L? JBD EXTRA CHOICEST QUALITY. UNHEARD-OF VALUE IN SIDES, ROLLS, AND CUTS, AT EXTRAORDINARILY LOW PRICES. L I P T 0 N, THE LARGEST TEA, COFFEE AND PROVISION DEALER IN THE WORLD. LOCAL BRANCHES Card iff-7, HIGH-STREET and ST. MARY- STREET. Swansea-ARCADE BUILDINGS, HIGH- STREET. Llanelly Branch-g, STEPNEY-STREET. Bristol-22, WINE-STREET, Newport- 4, COMMERCIAL-STREET. Iertbyr-4, MARKET-SQUARE BUILD- INGS. BRANCHES EVERYWHERE. 339e 4901 FOR DAILY USE. The essential properties in High-class Tjl LOUR -A- ARE PURITY, SWEETNESS, QUALITY. We combine these desirable elements in our Standard Brands. REYNOLDS' FLOUR is sold by an leading Bakers and Provision Merchants in South Wales. In Packages of 51b.. 71b., 141b., 1431b., 2801b. If any difficulty in obtaining Reynolds' Brands address J. REYNOLDS AND CO., ALBERT FLOUR MILLS, 3598 GLOUCESTER. TEETH.—Complete Set, One Guinea Five years'warranty. GOODMAN AND Co., 10, Duke-street, and 5r,. Quesn-street, Cardiff. 13041-1114 JOHN BRINSMEAD AND SONS' PIANOFORTES are unsurpassed, and possess features which give to them distinctadvantages viz. :— Perfect Materials, Perfect Adjustment, Perfect Invention. Perfect Finish, Perfect Construction, Perfect Action, Perfect Sensibility o/ Touch and Toue. Legion of Honour. Numerous Gold Medals. JOHN BRINSMEAD & SONS, Makers to T.R.H. the PRINCE and PRINCESS of WALES, 18, 20, and 22, WIGMORE-STREET, LONDON, W Lists free of the leading music sellers. 2585 £ JROSSLEY'S "OTTO" GAS JJNGINE. .y li JL- GREATLY REDUCED PRICES. MANY RECENT IMPROVEMENTS. SECOND-HAND ENGINES IN STOCK (Crossle and Other Makes). I The largest Manufacturers of Gas Engines in the world CROSSLEY'S PATENT OIL ENGINE, SIMPLE, RELIABLE, AND ECONOMICAL. South Wales OSIce :— 22, MOUNTSTUART-SQUARE, CARDIFF. Representative H. ELLISON WALKER. Telegrams, Otto, Cardiff." 1098 Telegrams, Otto, Cardiff." 1098 See Large Advertisement. ¡ G. A. STONE & CO., I UNDERTAKERS. ESTABLISHED OVER 30 YEARS. AT THE OLD AND ONLY ADDRESS— 10, 11, & 12, WORKING-STREET, CARDIFF. UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF Miss STONE, assisted by an Efficient Staff. Telegraphic Address:- "Stone, Undertaker, Cardiff.' lie—1103 NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENTS. Contributions sent to the South Wales Daily Newt should be plainly written in ink, and invariably on one side of thvs paper. Special care should be taken that names of places, countries, proper names, and uncommon waids bave every letter perfectly legible. Figures must also be cleai and distinct. All com- munications iatencied for insertion must be authenti- cated by the name and address of the writer, not necessarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. No notice will be taken of anonymous letters. Rejected communications will not be re- turned.

BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, DEATHS a Notices of Births, Marriages, and Deaths, Is each, if net exceeding SO icard?, and 6d for each extra 10 words. w DEATH. WATKINS. —On the 28th March, at Emlyn House, Brynmawr, Maggie, the youngest daughter of the late Mr Thomas watkins, postmaster, aged 12 years. Private funeral, Brynmawr Cemetery, Wednesday. IN MEMORIAM. EVANS.—Iu loving memory of James Evans, late roller, of Llynvi Ironworks, Maestfg, who died April 1st, -893. A good name is rather to be chosen than. great riches, and loving favour than silver and gold. 929

MONDAY. APBIL 2, 1894. AGRICULTURAL RENTS AND FALSE PRETENCES. A defender of the landholders contends that in the present grave depression of our great agricultural industry, it is not the farmers or the labourers who have the most ground for complaining, but the landlords inasmuch as they have reduced their rents proportionately to the fall in prices. There is not a tittle of evidence produced in sup- port of this reckless statement, and the unsupported assertion of a nameless writer is refuted by the current testimony of the farmers everywhere, and by the notorious facts of the case. No doubt, at that National Agricultural Con- ference in London, in December, 1893, out of which sprang the National Agricultural Union," which the Pembrokeshire Farmers' Club have been so ill-advised and so blind to their own interests as to join, the land- lords advocated a duty upon imported corn as a means of reimbursing them for their alleged losses and one of them was rather too significantly suggestive when he stated that he spoke as a ruined landlord." This ought to have opened the eyes of the farmers present, and of all farmers who read an account of the proceedings of that im- portant Agricultural Conference; for if Protection is to be imposed for the benefit of ruined landlords a very small share of the spoil would fall to the ruined farmers, and to the ill-paid agricultural labourers, even upon the landlords' own showing. But we contend that no share would fall to former or labourer; that thev would be worse off than they are at present, for that the increased rents consequent upon ) Protection, and the higher prices of every article of consumption, would press them down to ruin as they were pressed down in the past evil days of the Corn Laws. There is no more misleading or more de- } ceptive, or to the farmers and labourers more damaging, statement ever uttered than that false, stereotyped phrase, so frequently heard at agricultural meetings and else- where, that the interests of the landlord, the farmer, and the agricultural labourer are 'j identical. The falsehood should be instantly nailed down to the counter as counter- feit coin, wherever heard. Under the present conditions of our great agricultural industry, so far from those interests being identical, they are absolutely antagonistic and it is the part of wisdom and common J sense to look facts broadly in the face. It ) is to the interest of the landlord to get the highest rent he can it is to the interest of the farmer to pay the lowest. It is to the interest of the agricultural labourer to get the highest wages he can it is to the interest of the farmer to pay the lowest. The oases which modify this general rule are so obvious as not to need notice. For, of course, a landlord would not let his land to a man without capital and without agricul- tural experience or knowledge, however high a rent he offered and a farmer would not | employ a weak and incapable labourer who knew nothing of agricultural work, even if he asked comparatively low wages. But with such common-sense exceptions as these our statement holds good, and is universally true. Under different and improved conditions of our great industry, such as Agricultural Co-operation, or Agricultural Profit-sharing, or by other arrangements, it is conceivable, and would be true, that the interests of landlords, farmers, and labourers should be identical. If the landlord were content to J receive a low rate of interest for his capital, call it rent or by any other name, and the formers were content with the bare ccst of living and the labourer with what is called a living wage and that all the nett profits of the farm should be divided between the three classes in a ratio proportionate to the relative r interests of each, then the interests of land- lord, farmer, and labourer would be identical. For it would be to the interests of each that the farm should yield the highest produce and the largest profit. But farmers and labourers are deluded to their own injury when they believe and echo the old stale cuckoo cry of the Protec- tionist landlord, that under the pre- sent conditions of our agricultural industry the interests of landlords, farmers, and agricultural labourers are identical. To return now to the wild assertion of the landlords' advocate with which this article commenced. The low prices of agricultural produce, we are told, have scarcely injured the farmers at all, inasmuch as landlords for the most part have reduced their rents proportionate to the fall in prices. Is that true ? Does it at all approach the truth ? Mr JAMES LOWTHER, the great friend of the farmer, as he would have farmers believe—but when did the LOWTHERS, from the Earl of LONSDALE to the remotest scion of the family, ever prove themselves to be the real friends of the farmers—states that wheat was 40s per quarter some three or four years ago, and that last year it was 28s a quarter and under. Accepting this statement to be true, that would mean a fall in the price of wheat of 30 per cent. in three or four years. Now has any landlord made a permanent reduction in his rents of 30 per cent dunng that period ? And rent is but one item of the farmers outgoings. We are aware that many landlords have given abatements to their tenants at rent audits amounting to 5, 10, and even 15 per cent., but few have made permanent rent reductions, save in the case of incoming tenants. The Income-Tax Returns for 1892, Schedule D, give the average rental of Great Britain from 1874 to 1880 at £ 57,459,188; and from 1884 to 1890 as £ 55,250,130. This shows a fall of only 3'34 per cent. all the Kingdom over. But tithes and sums paid for drainage are included in these Income Tax Returns, and conse- quently this vitiates the calculation. We will accept the statement, then, of Sir RICHARD PAGET at the National Agricul- tural Conference, already referred to, held in London some sixteen months ago. Sir R. PAGET stated amidst the approval of the large body of landholders present that the fall in agricultural rents from 1878 to the close of 1892 equalled 20 per cent. That is a reduction of 20 per cent. in the farmers' rents in fourteen years. Now, 20 per cent. upon a rental of, say, B150 would be a reduction of j350 in rent to the sitting tenant. But rent is only a portion, though a very large portion, of the farmer's outgoings. Assume, for the pur- poses of the argument, that it is one-third of these outgoings. It ought not to be any- thing like one-third, but in many instances it is considerably more than one-third. Let it be one-third, however then the farmer's other expenditure, for cost of living, clothing for himself and family, wages of domestic servants and of agricultural labourers, fodder, manure, agricultural implements, rates and taxes, and other outlay would be £ 300. Upon these two-thirds of his ex- penditure the farmer has no reduction whatever. They are the same as hereto- fore. Now assume that before the recent heavy fall in prices, the farmer could just pay his way; the produce from his farm just balancing his outgoings of £ 4b0- The 20 per cent. fall in rent would reduce his expenditure to 9420. But' the 30 percent, fall in prices would reduce his returns from his produce—even assuming that upon one-fourth part of that produce, such as butter, poultry, and other com- modities, there was no reduction at all—to £ 350. But his outgoings, as we have seen after he has credited himself with the 20 per cent. reduction in rent, are C420. In other words, in order to meet the farmer's losses by a 30 per cent. fall in prices, the rent reduction should have been 66 per cent. in round numbers, and not 20 per cent. We have in this article dealt with the subject generally, and have abstained from (letallsz-altliourit we have details before us. But what we have stated, which may be considered as an approxima- tion to the facts, is sufficient to show the fallacy and the folly of those apologists for the landholders who maintain that it is the landlords and not the farmers or the agricultural labourers who have been most heavily hit by the fall in agricultural prices. "The ruined landlords," as they—or the Protectionist portion of them rather—dolorously styled themselves by the voice of one of their num- ber at the National Agricultural Conference, are now cunningly aiming to recoup them- selves for their small rent abatements by the imposition of a duty upon imported produce; and they are with subtlety seeking to enlist the farmers to join them in this, for the farmers', ruinous crusade. The National Agricultural Union" which the Pembroke- b shire Farmers Club has so thoughtlessly joined is one of the agencies for this pur- pose. What this is likely to do for the farmers and the agricultural labourers we shall show hereafter.

GROUNDING OF A WARSHIP. A telegram from Lloyd's Athens agent states that the British warship Dreadnought grounded when entering port at Fl-rious. but got off without damage

THE MINERS' FEDERATION. MEETING OF SOUTH WALES DELEGATES. The quarterly meeting of the Monmouthshire and South Wales branch of the Miiiers'Federation of Great Britain was held at the Grand Hotel, Cardiff, on Saturday. There was a large attend- ance of delegates, over which Mr David Williams, president, presided, and the officials present included Mr Win. Brace, Mr Ben Davies, Mr S. Mills, and Mr John Matthews. The business which came before the meeting was of a purely privata character, and the deliberations were somewhat lengthy, the meet- ing not rising until four o'clock. On the resuli of the audit becoming known, great dissatisfaction was expressed on the part of the delegates, the opinion prevailing that as the high price contracts had not been included pre- the delegates, the opinion prevailing that as the high price contracts had not been included pre- viously, they should have been incorporated in the present audit, thereby giving a substantial increase in wages.

EXTENSION OF A COLLIERY. During the past week 'the Penrhiwceiber Colliery has been on stop to enable the drum, ropes, &c., to be renewed. Already sinking operations to the 7-feet seam have been completed, and it is probable that in a short time the present number of employees (1,500) will be nearly doubled. Houses are verv scarce at present in the district. Two clubs have been formed for the purpose of erecting a number of new houses. The contract for some 40 was signed on Saturday, and it is expected that tenders will be invited for another 50 during the present week.

WELSH LAND COMMISSION. RECOMMENDATIONS FROM CAR- MARTHENSHIRE CHAMBER OF AGRI- CULTURE. An adjourned meeting of the committee that had been deputed by the Carmarthenshire Cham- ber of Agriculture to formulate recommendations, and collect evidence for presentation to the Welsh Land Commission was held at the Boar's Head Hotel, Carmarthen, 011 Saturday afternoon. Mr E. Lewis, Cillefwr, presided, and it was decided to recommend to the commission the creation of a general classification of butters at manufactories and markets. The construction by Parliament of light railways is to be further considered at an adjourned meeting on the 14-th inst. Whilst it was conceded that a tax ought to be imposed on the proprietors of heavy vehicles such as those used by circus proprietors and gipsies, neverthe- less it was thought that this matter should be dealt with by the county councils.—It was decided to point out to the commission the great desirability of causing the passage through both Houses of an enactment for the better protection of farmers against the evils arising from thoughtless tres- passers on agricultural holdings.

ALARMING ACCIDENT AT AN IRONWORKS. TWO MEN KILLED. An oil collector attached to a refrigerating machine burst on Saturday at Messrs Davey, Paxman, and Co.'s ironworks at Colchester, kill- ing two men named Bedwell and Davis, while another man named Chambers was so badly injured that slight hopes are entertained of. hi", recovery. One of the broken pieces of the machine was carried a distance of 60 yards.

THE MAKE QUESTION AT LLANELLY. The make question, especially the 36 box rule, continues to be a topic of general conversation in tin-plate circles in Llanelly. It will be re- membered that the men at the Western wore locked out a week ago because they were deter- mined to return to a make of 36 boxes per shift, and the workers are still idle, neither side show- ing a disposition to yield.

MEETING OF LLANELLY TIN- PLATERS. It was generally surmised that another works would be stopped at Llanelly on Saturday last, owing to the men persisting in making 36 boxes per shift, and it was felt that a crisis was at hand. With the Western idle during the week, and a month's notice terminating at the Old Castle on Saturday, speculation was rife as to the intentions of the employers. The workmen at their meeting on Monday last appealed to the management of both the Western and the Old Castle Works to withdraw the notices and allow the workmen to continue working on the 36 boxes per shift. On baturday last it was a relief to find that Mr May- bery had withdrawn the notice, and had allowed his men to continue working, and high hopes are entertained that Mr Trubshaw, with his usual fairness towards the workmen, will over- look any irregularities that have caused the present misunderstanding. At a largely- attended meeting of tin-platers held at the Athenaeum-hall on baturday, addresses wero delivered by Mr Thomas Phillips, general secre- tary and Mr Ihomas Benjamin, organizing agem, pointing out the fatal mistake men would be committing-,n making an average of even 36 boxes, which they declared would be far above tliat there mfih f°r S°me years to corae> and tl)a t there must be an united effort to assimilate ■tl!e otherwise there would be a, periodical recurrence of the present fe raf ltw°lVht,0n ,m. the tin-plate Ptrade. passed •— re30^uti^ou was unanimously fia!?ThaI8th?emSSTf tt O^CwWT'lt0 AYorks to

DARING BURGLARY IN CARDIFF. SMART CAPTURE BY THE POLICE. On Saturday evening Detective Stephens, of the Cardiff Borough Police Force, apprehended a man who has given the name of Robert Brennan, of 27, Old Kent-road, London, on the charge of having committed a burglary at the Albion Hotel, Cowbridge-road, Careiff, under ex- ceptionally daring circumstances on the night of the 22nd of March last. On the evening in question the landlord of the hotel, Mr W. A. Jacobs, retired to re,st about one o'clock, having in his pockets at the time money and valuables to the extent of about £70. This included a gold watch and heavy 18carall gold chain, valued at -C50, two B5 notes, and a £10 note. On retiring to rest he left his coat, vest, and trousers at the foot of the bed, but to his surprise the next morn. ing no part of his clothing could be fouud in the bedroom. On a search being made the clothing was found carelessly strewn about in the dining-room, and a further search resulted in the discovery being made of the back kitchen window having been broken open by the forcing of the latch. On searching the pockets of his clothing, Mr Jacobs found that everything had been abstracted—both notes and jewellery—and he at once reported the matter to the police. Detective Gretton, who is in charge of that district, was put on to investigate the matter, and made a careful examination of the premises. Very little in the shape of a clue as to the perpetrator was, however, to be found, though the more the circumstances of the robbery were looked'into the more daring the whole affair appeared, and only a shrewd, not to say a bold, fellow could have attempted the task. From in- vestigation it was found that hb had first climbed over a wall at least 8ft. high, and gained entrance to the kitchen in the manner indicated, and had then cautiously worked his way right through the house to the upstairs rooms. The slightest noise might have betrayed him to any but the soundest of sleepers, yet he carried out his object successfully in every detail. The usual precautions were at once taken to W&m the various pawnbrokers' establishments throughout the district as to the stolen iewellerv, and on Iuesday last information was received by the police that a watch answering to the descrip- tion of that stolen from Mr Jacobs had been pawned with Mr Lyons, of 28, High- street, Swansea, for three guineas. Detective Gretton went down to Swansea on the following day, and got a description of the man who had pawnsd the watch. This description was cir- culated amongst the Cardiff police, with the result that on Saturday evening the man wanted was arrested in a common lodging-house situated in Herbert-street by Detective Stephens. The prisoner admitted his guilt when charged, and there was also found upon him a purse, which belong-ell to Mr Jacobs, and which bad contained the stolen note3. The notes, however, were no longer in his possession, neither was the gold chain, though the police are sanguine of being able shortly to recover the latter. The prisoner will be brought before the magistrates this morning.

ALLEGED SUICIDE OF ANOTHER MERTHYR LADY. HER BODY FOUND AT PONTSARN. The suicide of Miss KftilS Conway has been followed by another sad event near Merthyr, Miss Fry, daughter of the lat:) Mr Fry, pro- prietor of the Queen's Temperance Hotel, Thomastown, having been found drowned on Saturday in the stream immediately below the Blue Pool in the picturesque neighbourhood of Pontsarn. Misa Fry had leased the Tamperanca Hotel, which stood en the corner of Lower Thomas-street and Church-street, to the Con- servative Club, and she then removed to Brynteg- terrace, where she resided with her niece, Miss Gladys Fry. On Fnday morning, about eight o'clock, Miss Fry left her house ostensibly to got something for breakfast, but did not return. Her niece and other friends became alarmed, and instituted inquiries as to her whereabouts in various parts of the district, but did not, it seems, deem it necessary at the time to communicate with the police, and when the body was first seen by John Barrett, of High -street, Penydarren, who had gone to the Blue Pool to fish at half-past one o'clock on Satur- day, it was not known who the deceased was. The stream was rather shallow, and the deceased's head was uncovered by the water. Near her, in the water, lay her satchel, which Barrett picked up and took to the Aberglais. Inside the little hand-bag there was a purse, which contained a shilling and part of a return ticket, Dolygaer to Mertbyr. dated August 26th, 1893. Information was sent by Mr J. Bishop, the Pontsaru station- master, to Police-Sergeant Hand at Cefn, and within an hour the body (which had probably been washed to the edge of the rocks, where it was found) was taken to the stables above the refreshment-rooms. Nothing was found upon deceased leading to her identity. No initials were observed by the female searcher upon her clothing. Meanwhile. Miss Gladys Fry and another young lady had searched the Cefn Ceme- tery, thinking the missing lady had gone to see the graves of some of her relatives. They were re- turning when a messenger from Merthyr apprised them of the rumour that someone had been found in the stream. Later on they met Sergt. Hand, and upon viewing the body, which was afterwards removed to the Aberglais, they at once indentified it as being Miss Fry's. The deceased lady was 46 years of age, and for 22 years she had resided at the Queen's. Her death cannot be accounted for except on the hypothesis that the death of her father—which occurred rather more than two years ago—and the strain incidental to the transfer of the property and the relinquishing of tha old business had preyed upon her mind. She was held in much esteem, and general regreb is expressed at this sad termination of her career. Her relatives at Liverpool and elsewhere and the Breconshire coroner (Mr R. W. Jones) have been communicated with.

A RECENTLY PUBLISHED REPORT ot the Histori cal Manuscripts Commission contains a rflost, interesting digest of the ancient records of the Corporation of Hereford, and some references to the making and selling of beer, are worth notice, Alle," Beere," and Metheglen" (a beer made from honey) are frequently mentioned from 1513 to the end of that century. At various times, from 1513 to 1550, persons were indicted for putting hops in ale, there being a law in force against the practice. Little did the magistrates of that time think that in the nineteenth century one of the most paying industries in the county of, Hereford would be the growing of this so-called "pernicious drug," and that the city itself should become famed for the brewing of a special beer, the Golden Sunlight" Ale, whose excellence and flavour should greatly depend upon the very pick of Herefordshire hops being used in its brew- ing. Brewed only by Charles Watkins and Son, the Hereford Brewery, and sold by Agents *hroni,h M the kingdom. 13401-119

THE NEW LINE TO CARDIFF DOCKS. OPENING FOR PASSENGER TRAFFIC. This (Monday) morning will see the commence- ment of a new service of through trains from Barry to the Bute Docks, Cardiff. This scheme, which has been a long time in course of ac- complishment, will, no doubt, prove of immense advantage to the large and constantly growing section of the commercial community doing business both in Cardiff and Barry. Per many years past one of the chief wants of Cardiff has been more convenient and ^jrapid means of transit from one portion of the port to another. Though things are still in this direction far from what they might bs, the new line-or, to speak more correctly, the re-constructed line-opened to-day, will do something towards remedying existing defects. As a matter of fact, there has been for many years a line running from the Great Western Railway Station to the docks between the river; Taff and the west side of the Glamorgan canal, but it served only the timber yards and works situate in that quarter of the town. The line was the property of the Great Western Company, but in one of their Parliamentary Bills the Barry Company obtained running powers over this hne and the right to re-construct it, provided the other com- pany did not do so within the space of two years from a specified time. The line has now been practically relaid by the Great Western Com- pany, and a station with platforms has been erected at the terminus, which is unfortunately some little distance away from the busiest quarter of the docks. The station is at the rear of Har- rowby-street, and near its junction at the further end of James-street, but the structure is not a very pretentious one, the company being no doubt anxious to see to what extent the traffic will de- velop before going to any large expenditure.

CARDIFF STEAMERS IN COLLISION. Early on Sunday morning, as the s.s. James Speir, one of Messrs Lancaster and Speir's boats, was proceeding to sea from the Roath Basin, she came into collision with the s.s. Rheubina belonging to Messrs Cory Bros., whilst passing through tho entrance channel. The Rheubina sustained serious damage to her bows, and was berthed in the East Dock. The James Speir also sustained damage of such a character as to prevent her proceeding on her voyage.

'-I ARRIVAL OF MADAME PATH AT CRATGYNOS CASTLE. Madame Patti-Nicolini and Signor Nicolini and party arrived at Craigyno Castle from Liverpool on Saturday evening, amidst universal manifestations of welcome. At Pen- wyllt, on detrainuig, the party were also received with similar exhibitions of welcome. Oa approaching the castle, which was reached just before seven o'clock, and on the towers of which building flag-i of several nationalities were hoisted, the party were welcomed by the firing of cannons, and the villagers and inhabitants of the district turned out cn masse and gave the Queen of song" and her friends a loyal and hearty Welsh welcome home.

LORD CECIL'S AFFAIRS. At the London Bankruptcy Court on Saturday summary was issued under the failure of Lord Brownlow Cecil, son of the late Marquis of Exeter. The accounts show gross liabilities of £ 7,062, £ 4-,412 being unsecured, and assets £ 5,039. Of the assets £ 4,527 are claimed from trustees under the will of the debtor's father in respect of payments on debtor's behalf, liability for which is denied.

AJ1 NOVEL—"HIGHLAND COUSINS"— by Mr William Black, is now appearing in the Cardif Times arid South Wales Weekly eivs A STORY, by Harry Blyth, will be commenced in the Cardiff Times and South "Wales Weekly News" on Baturday next, entitled Her Darling Foe," Times arid South Wales Weekly eivs A NEW STORY. by Harry Blyth, will be commenced in the Cardiff Times and South "Wales Weekly News" on Saturday next, entitled Her Darling Foe."

NEWS IN BRIEF. A cycling club has been formed in Constant, nopie. Steel rails average 180 tons to the mile; 145 tons. An ordinary piano contains a mile of witf strings. Book sales in Chicago are said to aiBOODt t4 3,000,000 dols. a. year. Lord and Lady Wimborne have arrived at Oaø. ford Manor, Dorset, from town. The Queen keeps 70 or 80 dogs, chieflv 801b61 and Pomeranians-at Windsor. Mark Twain, the American humorist, is ing his I"aster holiday in Paris. The Cork Herald (anti-Parnellite) is of o that the Irish cause is collapsing. Thackeray used to say John Bright was ii, most consistent politician he knew. St. Petersburg is spoken of as the scene of tJaC next International Medical Congress. The Liberator of his country's small saving* is the suggested inscription for the tombstone rJ Jabez. The Queen has 60 pianos at Osborne, Windsofi and Buckingham Palace. Many of them art hired. The Archbishop of Armagh has just becotf' one of the numerous patrons of the Church Army. The policy of working only four days a weeK started by the West of Scotland miners collapsing. Mr Stopford A. Brooke's new work, "Tenuy son His Art and Relation to Modern Life," completed. S:r Robert Ball emphatically declares that believes Mars is inhabited by some sort Or creatures. Mr Joseph Arch, who recently lost his wifØt has received a letter of condolence from the jPrinC^ of Wales. M. Jules Simon laughs at the ambition of the up-tc-date woman to be considered the intellectual equal of man. According to the Iforlh British Agriculturi^ the Birmingham sewage farm involves an annual loss of £30,000. Mr Barne has now written about two-thirds of his new novel. So far, it is almost entirely a study in child life. The Duke and Duchess of Westminster's party at Eaton Hall last week included the Earl and Countess of Jersey. The Christian Endeavour Society, which wa$ started at Boston in 1881, has now 29,000 branched with 2,000,000 members. When Queen Margherita of Italy celebrated her silver wedding she received, besides gifts o* silver, 22,000 begging letters. The tramways committee of the Glasgow poration have decided that no advertising is ttf be permitted in the new tramcars. St. Paul's Cathedral has just contributed towards the Church Army Samaritan Office fof Destitute but Deserving City Clerks. The American papers say that Mrs Langtry it at work upon a novel which she proposes to writft publish, advertise, and circulate herself. The Duchess of Marlborough has arrived at • Carlton House-terrace from visiting Lord and Lady Wimborne at Canford Manor, Dorset. As a thing on which you can ride away suddenly and swiftly from a spring-clean a cynio says he regards the cycle as simply invaluable. The most difficult of all ages for talcing success- ful photographs of young people, according to a photographer, is that between six and 17 or H years. An important discovery of coal has been.mads at Higholm, Dumfries. About £20,000 was lost some years ago in the attempt to start coal mining here. Lord Hmnen's peerage was only a, life one,.sa that his son, Mr J. C. Hannen, who is a Registrat of the Probate, Divorce, and Admiralty Division. does not succeed. Miss Dod, the lads tennis champion of England, only recently celebrated her 21st birthday. She is an expert bicyclist and golf player, as well as a singer and pianist. It is not improbable that Mr GladstonewilIbe in the House when the Chancellor of the Ex- chequer makes his annual Budget statement, about a fortnight hence. The Church of Ireland claims that the present Primate (Dr. R. S. Greg-g) is the lineal descendant of Sc. Patrick, and the claim, it is said, can blS historically substantiated. The Duke of Argyll, it appears, is a notable collector of curiosities. On his Inverary estata his Grace has a grove of trees, each tree having been planted by a celebrity. The field service y/hipb jf» _fer» familiar Glengarry in tte infantry of the line, i3 not to be worn by Highland regiments. They are still to retain the Glengarry. Mr Rider Haggard and Mr Jerome K. Jerome are going to read selections from their works at a drawing-room meeting in aid of the North-Eastern Hospital for Children, Hackney. road. An infinite quantity of green will be worn thiif spring. One finds it in all classes of hosiery, especially in bows and handkerchief borders. A thorough revival has taken place in all manner ol old fashions. A year's arrests for Sunday drunkenness in th. whole of Ireland, outside the towns of Dublin, Belfast, Cork, Limerick, and Waterford, num- bered 3.100. In the five exempted towns the arrests were 1,803. By a singular coincidence, Lord Hannen, who was the British representative in the Behring Sea arbitration, breathed his last within an hour 01 Sir Charles Russell's bringing in a Bill to givf effect to the award. Among the statuary which will figure at the approaching Paris Salon will be a symbolic figure The Sea, by Larche. It is executed in tin, an¿ furnishes a new and striking proof of the decora, tive capacity of that metal. Mi Sims Reeves gives it as his opinion that the timbre of the voice is damaged by indul gence in strong drink, and that to abstain alto gether is to give it that force, precision, and character which ever make singing a success." A new Admiralty regulation provides for th*. annual promotion of forty lieutenants to the rani of commander—notwithstanding that the vacan cies on the commanders' list may be less than that number—until the list of commanders is raised to 270. Under the title, "The People's New Charter," Mr T. Walter Williams, barrister, Aberdare, his issued a pamphlet on the Parish Councils Act, dealmg specially with it as it affects Aberdari and the other parishes in the Merthyr Tydfii, Union. The Morning says there is no doubt that the premature death of Mr Haydn Parry is primarily attributable to his bitter disappomtment ovet Miami, the opera he produced last autumn af the Princess's, and which was withdrawn at tht end of a week. A French priest who was passionately addicted to card-playing is said by a writer in the Tempi to have inadvertently remarked, instead of "0 Lord, who holdest in Thy hands the hearts ci kings," O Lord, who holdest in Thy hand thf king of hearts." The new Broad-street station of the PenDyl. vania Railroad, when completed, will coatair over 100 miles of concealed electric wiring About 53 miles of wire will be required for th( electric lighting alone, which will be done witli about 10,000 incandescent lihts The Wesleyan Church in New Zealand hsu lost one of its pioneers by the death of the Rev John Aldred, who has just passsd away in hit 76th year. He was one of the little band of missionaties despatched by the Wesleyan Cen- tenary Conference to Australia in 1839. According to Iferap's Mercantile Gazette the number of failures in England and Wales gazetted during the week-ending Marchi31st was 58. The number in the corresponding week of last year was 94-, showing a decrease of 36, being a net increase in 1894, to date, of 42. Mr Tim Healy threatens to start a new daily paper in Dublin in opposition to the Freeman'i Journal, from the board of which he was on Friday ejected. But a daily newspaper does not get a fair start with less than £50,000; and Mr Healy may find patriots dubious and investors coy. It is said that little Dorothy Drew. Mr Glad. stone's grandchild, generally goes about with are feet, which are forced into shoes and scocking? only when the roads at Hawarden are miry 01 frozen, or when she goes for walks with he. grandfather in town. Otherwise Mrs Drew be. heves in letting her child grow up unencumbered by any chaussure. South African papers state that feeling has rup very high in Johannesburg owing to the fact the toast of "The Queen" was omitted from the toast list to be submitted at the Irish banquet of St. Patrick's Eve. A number of leading Irish"- men declined to attend the banquet under theswi circumstances, and the general feeling was that the committee had made a great mistake. According to the Bookman, the best-selling books at present are the following:—"Dodo,* "Ships that Pass in the Night," A Gentlemai of France," "The Heavenly Twins," "Oui Manifold Nature," "Bunyan Characters," "Ad. dresses to Working Men," "Keynotes," "Bij Game Shooting" (Badminton Library), "Pitt* (by Lord Roseberv), The Way they Loved at Grimpat," "The Kingdom of God is Withil You," "Angel of the Revolution," Raiders." and Barabbas."