South Wales Daily News

COLUMN FOR CHILDREN. 1 EDUCATION AS IT SHOULD BE. A very wise and learned gentleman has been speaking very strongly about the danger and un- desirableness of cramming young people with too many lessons. This is a question upon which ?[ou and I feel very strongly, my pets we do not ike too many—well, lesson-book lessens, at any rate. We do not like sitting still on school benches and being crammed, but we do not mind learning on the wtng, so to say. In the ideal school I talk sometimes about opening some day, everything is to tee feaujrht practically. and learnt in the same way. Older girls will know how I have endeavoured partly to foreshadow this in my R-onaance of a School." But I did not sit down to talk about ourjown doings this morning. I want you to learn something from the wisdom of this wise man, who says that cramming to pass examinations is not education. He goes on to declare that "the majority of young people are taught, not educated," for at the present time what is usually termed education ought to be described as teaching." Now, this, I take it, is the distinction he draws between teaching and education When a boy or girl has been taught, their minds have become store cupboards for a certain quantity of facts received when they have been truly educated, the power of their minds has been trained to gather, and store, and reason upon what it collects in one case the mind is like a basket, made to hold what is put into it; in the other it is like one of those sea anemones that reach out living rays into the waters surrounding it, ap- propriating all that mill serve for its own growth and increase. THE SAVANT AND THE YOUNG ZULUS Then this wise man tells the following little story to illustrate his subject: Many years ago, when I was stationed at Natal, young Zulus were my constant companions on hunting expeditions. They could neither read nor write, and had con- siderable difficulty in counting beyond ten, so one would not thiuk of calling them educated, and yet their reasoning was so souud and excellent that I learnt much from them. Astronomy was not taught in Zutuland, and I hardly expected to receive a lesson in this science from a Zulu lad. One evening I had directed my telescope to the half illuminated moon, when three young Zulus came to visit me. I asked one of them to look through the telescope at the moon. He did so, and after gazing two or three minutes, turned to me, and said "Elephants' footprints; very little elephant walked first, then big elephant, then small small elephant." He meant that the circular marks in the moon which we term craters are like the footprints of an elephant; but the as- tonishing thing was that this apparently ignorant Zulu lad had solved a question which has puzzled scientists. He knew that the very little elephant walked first because the footprint of the big elephant lay partly over it, and had nearly obliterated it, therefore that must be of later date; and as the small elephant's foot had obliterated a part of the mark of the big one, that must come last. Years afterwards, I met two distinguished astronomers, and asked them if there were any means by which the relative age of the craters in the moon could be determined, and thev an. swered positively, no. They, with all tiha teaching they had received, did not know so much as the apparently ignorant Zulu lad, yon see, whose mind could reason upon the fact he perceived. EYES, AND NO EYES. I think this wise man must have bean greatly pleased with this cute reasoning of the Zum twy, who, although he had not been crammed with the stoak knowledge of the schools, used his eyes, and, seeing a fact, at once set to work to reason upon it. This lad had been used to follow the trail of elephants, and it was very plain to him that if a small footprint partly rubbed out a larger one. the smaller one must have been made after the larger one. Had anyone tcld that Ziln boy that there was no means of telling which footprint had been made first, he would verv likely have called him an idiot la Zutu language. The Zulu boy drew a 'rough sketch in the sand to show he knew one elephant footprint to be older than another, and from this rude drawing the wise man afterwards made a dtagram of the moon craters, and put it before many people who had what is generally called "education," some of whom said that the middle crater must be the oldest, because it was the biggest. From the specimens of false reason ing which this diagram drew forth the wise man concludes that "in education a distinction should be made between storing the mind and strength- ening it. In the majority of our schools attention Is giveh almost ewtirely to storing the mind. Hence it has too often been found that the pupil who has passed a very stiff examination in the Ernest satisfactory way proves to be in after years excessively dull and etupid," his mind was crammed, not educated. Why do I tell all this to you little people who are only sitting on school banche? ab ptesenb I tell it you because I know that, after the passing of some years, the educa- tion of the country will be in your hands; and when this power comes to you in the natural when this power comes to you in the natural course of things I want? you td-endeavour to use it wisely. METH'S STORY, This anecdote is sent me by a young member of the Round Table. Moth is short for a word that contains nearly all the letters of the alphabet, and the dog whose name it is is a tremendous collie. He belongs to a lady who lives outside Northampton, and she has taught him to do all manner of tricks. He will sit as long as he is told to in a chair with a pipe in his mgiitli as though he enjoys it. When told to beg he raises himself on bis bind legs and holds his two fore legs out. Of course when he does this he expects to get something. If anyone puts a nice little tit-bit on the tip of his nose and says, On trust," he stands as patiently as it is possible for a dog to do until the giver says Paid for." Then he throws it up into the air and catches it as it drops. One day a visitor put a bit of cake on his nose, on trust, and then forgot all about "him. By-and-bye, when they rose from the table there was poor Meth standing still with the cake on his nose; he bad been standing so for about twenty minutes. He was rewarded with a large piece of cake, which he loves very much. As a watoh-dog he is invaluable. He walks to and fro, fron the front door to the kitchen door nearly all night like a sentinel. In the daytime he is always present when visitors call, and watches strangers intently, as though be wanted to find out thoir characters. One day, not being able to make anybody bear, the postman opened the door and went inside to leave the letters. Meth seized him instantly by the trouser leg and there held him. The postman never goes inside now.—Henry Malin, Knight Medallist. AWARD OF ART PRIZES. Fourteen prizes among twenty-three com- -petitors is a very large number, quite large enough, I think and so I will not allow the Art Master to give as many prizes as he would have done had there been more competitors nor do I think it desirable to add any myself; I will reserve them for those who contribute to the Column. The Arb Master laments that in Divi- sion IV. tile patterns, which he would have liked to see, were conspicuous by their absljnce. And then he makes one general remark which is so good and true that I should like to have it printed in gold letters for the benefit of all contributors and competitors to all departments Each little member of the Round Table should bear in mind that a little work done really well is better than whole sheets of drawing not well done." With regard to first prize in Division IV. (original design) he says, I have considered the work most carefully, and have come to the con- clusion that Gracie Gordon's Girl with the Perambulator is the work of a true artist, and is much higher in the scale of art than anything sent in. It is quite a little work of art, and if the dear little lady does not require is to be returned, I should like to frame it.

MONMOUTHSHIRE CHAMBER OF AGRICULTURE. TO THE EDITOR. SIR,—I was pleased to find the following resolu- tion under the above heading in your issue of the 12th inst. :—" That this chamber endeavour to return Parliamentary representatives who will support the agricultural interests of the county." It is high time they should, and I should think they otight to be competent men to deal with this momentous question. But I notice your report is brief, and therefore I shall be obliged if Mr Stephen L. Baker (the president) or Mr C. D. Phillips (one of the hon. secretaries), or any other member of tbo Monmouthshire Chamber of Agriculture, will kindly answer the following questions 1. Whab are the agricultural interests the Parliamentary represenllatives are expected to support ?" 2. What remedies are the Parlia- mentary representatives expected to propose ? 3. What is the reason that tenant farmers generally are so unconcerned about the dreadful condition of the agricultural districts ?—I am. &c., March 12th, 1895. LANDLOPER.

BOLSTERING UP THE CHURCH. TO THE EDITOR. SIR,-I desire to direct the attention of out Welsh M.P.'s to the petition Against Disestab- lishment which is being extensively signed here at Cwmavon during this week. A meeting of Ohurchpeople was convened, special invites being sent to the works managers to bo present, with tho result that a small army of colliery managers, gaffers, house agents, clerks. time. keepers, &c.. &c.. are now invading each house in this Radical stronghold obtaining signatures against the Disestablishment Bill. If the householdors refuse-we]), good-bye to future favours. In a thousand and one ways their refusal will not be forgotten. Promotion in the works, change of house, &c., depends, as a matter of courso, upon one being in the good graces of the powers tint be. Little wonder, then, that signatures are freely obtained. The electors know right well that it is at the polling booth they have to give legitimate effect to their views. However, when this precious petition arrives at Westminster I trust our M.P.'s will take an extra discount off for the reasons above given.—» I am, &c., CYMRU FYDD. Cwmavon, March 13th, 1895. TO THE EDITOR. Sis,—Commenting on the result of "the private and confidential letter which the Bishop of St. David's has addressed to Church supporters in his diocese, I may say that the methods pursued by some of his" lay psons" are a disgrace to civil isation-blie Church and the arlstoora.cyof Wales. For instance, here in Carmarthenshire we have some powerful families having the usual number of dependents, tenants, and servile tradesmen attached to their interests and estates. A he majority of these are Nonconformists, who have voted for an M.P. pledged to obtain Disestablishment and Disendowment. These dependents, tenants, and tradesman have been visited by my lords and my ladies, who have causod many of them to commit perjury by requesting them to sign these lying petitions, or incur the pains and penalties attendant on their displeasure, which is almost royal in its power to harm one in this part of free Britain. I cannot htdp declaring my belief that the Church of England in Wales has thus done more harm by perjuring the souls of the men of Wales than they have done good to them during the whole period of its existence. It has caused more commandments to bè broken ot late years in its futile defence than. it has prevented fr6m- being broken. The Church, pampered by its aristocracy, has always been-;»v clog to; the great national movements of Wales, It has resisted every1 attempt to obtain any educational advantages, except that of the "nAtionat" schools, the religious wet nurses of Welsh children. If the people of Wales want to keep the Church intact let them do it by sending 30 out of 33 members to Westminster to support it, instead of by sending hypocritical petitions signed by a lob of naenia and children and by some people at the expense of falsehood and self-respect, or the loss Of their homes and livelihoods. Welshmen have not always been so cringing to their nobles; there was a time when they would speak out their minds to any man regardless of consequences, but times have altered since Owain Glyndwr's age, and the ballot has become neces- sary to just representation. In conclusion, I hope every true Churchman will sign this petition, and it will not take long to visit tSiem all. No true Cymro, I trust, will sign away his self-respect at the request of anyone, whatever screw he can turn on being refused.—I am, &c., AP COED.

ALBION COLLIERY DISASTER, SOUTH WALES DAILY NEWS RELIEF FUND. Having, in accordance with our practice when a colliery disaster occurs in this district, opened a relief fund in aid of the persons dependent on the victims, we wish to urge, in the present instance the special claims for help which are incident to the Cilfynydd calamity. No fewer than 135 widows and 350 children require assistance. The number of breadwinners killed exceeds that of any previous accident; and the need is greater than it has ever been. In these circumstances we are sure that our readers will do their utmost. All sums forwarded us will be applied to relief of the dependents of the deceased men. Whilst it may be argued that the deceased men having been members of the Permanent Fund, a certain amount of relief is guaranteed their survivors, we would point out that it would not be fair to make the men's foresight and pro- vidence an argument against their dependent relatives. There is, too, the consideration that the Permanent Fund allowance is relatively small, and that the families left desti- tute ought not to be left to the bare insurance allowance. Ttiev have, er ne all in their power to help themselves, and have on that account a stronger claim upon the benevolent. In response to numerous inquiries we have to state that should our fund, as usual, lie banded over to the Central Relief Fund, it will be accompanied by a stipulation that the money shall be applied directly to the benefit of the widows and orphans in connection with the Cilfynydd Disaster, and not be simply an assistance to the finances of the Permanent Fund. H s d. Proprietors Sou,t:. rates Daily Newt 21 0 0 Amounts previously acknowledged 2,292 2 8 Officials and Miners of the Clewer Estate Gold Mine Co., Ltd., Pilgrim's Best, South Africa 21 0 0 Subscribed by a few of the Surfacemen and Pumpmen at Park Slip Colliery, per Mr A. J. Phillips, mechanic 1 10 0 Subscribed by workmen of Coegnant Col- liery. N.N.U., Maesteg, per Messrs U. Richards and Z. Jenkins. 17 19 9 £ 2,353 12 5

VICTIMISED BY A MARRIED MAN. At the recent Derbyshire Assizes—before Mr Justice Hawkitis-96 girl named Florence Harriet Fielding, daughter of a farmer and contractor at Osmaston, near Ashbourne, was charged with forging a cheque in her father's name for 2200. Much sympathy was then expressed with the girl, it being alleged that she had been shamefully treated by a married man named Evans, The latter has been arrested, and on Wednesday was brought before the Ashbourne justices charged with aiding and abetting a girl to forge the cheque. The principal witness was the girl Fielding, who alleged that, prisoner told her to take a cheque from her father's book, and instructed her how to fill it up, afterwards telling her to get it cashed, which she succeeded in doing. When arrested she was at Derby Station, having arranged to be married the same afternoon at St. John's Church, and to go to Australia with th9 money. In cross examination she admitted that prisoner did not seduce her under promise of marriage, and that she got the money because she thought it would enable her to get out of her trouble. Evans was committed for trial at the Derbyshire Assizes, bail being allowed.

FIRES AT NEWPORT. Two fires, to both of which the Newport Fire Brigad* were called, occurred at Newport on Thursday. The first occurred at a private house in Pugsley-street, the tenant of which is John Thornton. The contents ot the loom were very much damaged, but a neighbour, who had the presence of mind to affix a piece of tubing to the water-tap, materiaHy assisted to put out the flames. The other fire occurred in the stock-room on the premises of Mr R. Houghton. 1, Summer Hill- road. The stock-room, which is situated on the. ground floor, was very much damaged'by fire and water.

It is not upon record that a Speaker has ever refused the Viscounty which it isjcustomary for the Sovereign to bestow on his resignation.

HEARTLESS BREACH OF PROMISE. VICTIMISED AT SIXTEEN. AttheNisi PriusCourfconWeanesday—before Me Justice Lawrance and a common jury—the case Slater v. Krrk, for breach of promise of marriage. came on for hearing. Mr M'Keand appeared for the plaintiff, who was described as a dressmaker, of Buxton, and M-r Add-on. Q.C., and Mr Sanderson were counsel for the defendant,- a cattle dealer, of Macclesfield. Mr M. nd stated Cha^Mary Jane Slater, an "infant," brought the action by Cyrus Slater, her next friend, against William Kirk. The defendant in his pleadings said first of all that he bad never at any time promised the plaintiff marriage, and then he put upon the record that if be did promise the performance of the promise was conditional on the plaintiff remaining a chaste and virtuous woman, that she did not so remain, and thab therefore the condition was not performed. IHe alleged that this young girl of 16, who was even now an infant, was accustomed to frequent public-houses, and that she was seen one evening in a lane talking to a man. The circumstances of the case were that in 1891 the plaintiff was ,16 years of age, and became acquainted with the defendant, who was a man of considerable means for a person in bis station of life. They kept company, and her lover, who at the time was 32, said that be was getting tired of knocking about, and he must either have a housekeeper or marry a respectable girl. He added that the plaintiff seemed to suit him, and be asked her to. marry him. She replied that she was very young, and would have to consult her parents. BASK BZTRATAIi AND BASER ACCUSATIONS. Some time after it was arranged that they should be married within a reasonable time, and he was introduced to her mother, her brother, and friends as her affianced husband. Having gained her affections he made improper advances, which she repelled, and kept away from him for five or six weeks. But he persisted, and eventually prevailed over her. When a child was born in August, 1894, the defendant was brought before the magistrates and an affiliation order obtained against him. He admitted the paternity, and in presence of witnesses promised to marry her and make an honest woman of her. All this time he never even hinted of misconduct with other men, and it was only after the action was brought that he set up such a plea. The plaintiff, a good-looking young woman of 20, in the course of her evidence, said she was a dressmaker, and her father a greengrocer. She was positive that the defendant had promised to marry her both before and after the intimasy with him. She remembered his assurance that she should never come to any disgrace through bim. She strenuously denied having misconducted her. self with any man but the defendant, and it was not true that she had been in public-houses with anyone except William (the defendant). Up to the time of the action the latter had made no suggestion that she had misbehaved with others. H* promised her a ring, but had not given beL one. She refused to take presents from him. Cross-examined by Mr Addison :She had been to several public-houses with Winia-m," includ- ing the Puss in Boots and the Flower Pot. She had consulted a Mrs Naden when she was eneeinte, She did not know that Mrs Naden was a fortune-teller, but she knew that she was a second-sighted woman. (Laughter.) Mr Addison Don't you know she is in the business of fortune-telling in Macclesfield?—! don't know anything about that. Did you go to see her about second sight ?- No. sir. What did you want to see her for Because I knew her. Did she advise you to bring this action!— No. sir. Re-examined The defendant was in the habit of taking her to public-houses and closing the door when they got into the room. He was the only person with whom she had gone wrong. ANOTHER WOMAN IN THE WAY." Mrs Nancy Slater (mother of the plaintiff) was called and spoke to the circumstances under which her daughter became acquainted with the defend- ant and promised marriage. The plaintiff was always a good steady girl, and up to the time of his misconduct she had looked upon the younfr man as respectable. Mary Ellen Naden, a middle-age woman, testi. fied to having heard the defendant say to the plaintiff, after the birth of the child, "Pro going to marry you, Poll; bat you will have to wait awhile. There is another woman in the way." In reply to Mr Addison, she said she could not say who the other woman was. Mr Addison But you have second sight I have tokens for death if anything is going ta happen I hear a noise. (Laughter.) You can tell people what is going to happen to them ?-No, sir. His Lordship: Only before death. (Laughter.] Mr Addison Do a great many people consult you as to what is going to happen 1—No, sir. If there is anyone belonging to me going to die I can hear a token before death. They make it out that I am a fortune-teller about that. You are entitled to be a fortune-teller as far ag I am concerned, but do you tell fortunes success- fully ?—No, sir, I don't. You can only tells us what happens before death. You cannot tells us what happens ilt breach of promise. actions. (Laughter.)-No, -air. If you could we might know something. (Laughter.)] Additional evidence having been given in con- firmation of the promise to marry, the plaintiff*; case terminated. Mr Addison said he did not intend to c&U-wib nesses for the defence. Mr M'Keand reminded the jury that not t single witness had been brought to substantiate the implication cast upon the girl's character. Mr Addison replied that the solicitors and not the defendant were responsible for the pleadings. All that was alleged against the plaintiff was that at the time the engagement was temporarily broken off she had been seen keeping company with somebody else. But the tone of morality on both sides was not very high, and if there had been no children in the case the action would never have been brought. His Lordship animadverted on the conduct of the defendant in making charges against the petitioner which he had not attempted to sub. stantiate. The jury returned a verdict for the plaintiff for £100.

SHEBEENING AT BARRY. At the Barry Dock Police-court on Thursday— before General Lee and Mr John Lowden— Thomas Pratt, 45, Gueret-street, labourer, was charged with selling beer without a licence at his house on the 8th mst. P.C. Thomas Parker stated that he saw eight men and three women enter and leave defendant's premises between the hours of 12.30and 2 p.m. on the date in question. Witness saw defendant go to a beer dealer's place near and ask the latter's wife (Mrs Courtney) for a 4%-gallon cask of ale, at the same time remark. ing, There's a deuce of a spree in our house to night, and I've run out of beer." Mrs Courtney rejoined, All right; mind the coppers' don't see you." Evidence as to the consumption 01 drink having been given, defendant was fined C5 andcosts, or in default one month's imprisonment. James Tinsley, 39, Gueret-street, was similarly charged. P.C.'s Harris and German proved the offence, committed on Sunday morning last. Defendant and his wife stoutly denied the allegation, but in the chief details gave divergent statements. The Bench considered that defen. dant bad deliberately committed perjury in the witness-box, and fined linn j35 aud costs, or in default one month's imprisonment with hard labour.

QUESTION OF TITLE AT NEWPORT. At the Newport County-court on Thursday hit Honour Judge Owen had before him a claim for 18s, tho amount of damage to :a wall, in which the question of title was raised. It appeared that in 1861 Councillor Moses Wheeler was the owner and occupied of two houses in Banesweil. On a plot of ground which was used as a drying ground Mr Wheeler erected a workshop and made a hols in the bound- ary wall of one of the houses in order to get access to the workshop. In 1869 the property was sold and was held up to 1890, when the ownei died, and the two houses became the property of separate owners. The hols in tho wall continued until after 18&0t when Williams, the present owner, came inta possession. He closed the opening, and defendant Whittall knocked the new portion down, claiming that he had the right of way. Mr Parsons, barrister, appeared for the plaintiff, and MI Bailhache, barrister, appeared for the defendant. His Honour gave judgment for the defendant with costs, holding that plaintiff had not mad< out his claim to the right to close the opening.

NEWPORT IMPORTS AND EXPORTS, The export of coal, foreign a.nd coastwise, front Newport for the week ended on Wednesday evenintr amounted to 90,710 tons, of which 66,322 tons went to foreign ports, and 24,388. tons were despatched coastwise. The other exports in. eluded :-Patent fuel, 2,220 tons iron, 40 tone. and 1 cargo steel rails, 571 tons and 1 cargo tin-plates, 8 cargoes fish-pktes and fastenings. 3% tons shudes, 10 tons flour, 2 cargoes manure, 32 tons gas water, 5 tons phosphateq, 235 tons general merchandise, 6 cargoes and 20 tons. The imports for the same period were —Iror ore, 1,080 tons manganese ore, 1 800 ions • iron 710 tons old ra.ls, 150 tous'S T caWot tin, 2 cargoes pitwood, 2,622 loads and 1 cargo Wbeat' W sacks barley! L0?1"*0 Rs«d, 212 tons Mid i carj.o cement, 45 tons pipes, 10 tons • stone 1 cargo oil 1 cargo saltcak;, cargo- Xd herrings, 50 barrels wool, 184 bal« wiS' » cases; and general merchandise. 14 ctrgoes.

LLANDAFF COMMISSION AGENTS AFFAIRS. heIdr,lt the offices of the Wilkin 0n J-bursda>-> of the creditor* Yard LlanH^ n' of Sunnyside, Llandafl liSitiT A comin,ssion agent. The gross e;xpect'd%^raOUR,t of which £ 138 i, 0ffP!, 9 rank. ihe debtor, who made no atfct-fhnf has been adjudicated a bankrupt, hf-failure to sidfcness. The Official f er said in his observations that debtor- wa» euip.ojed a<= a traveller s! a salary of £ 150 in- n^, e^mi^'ssi6n,. and that the credicors-wer* °ot llkeIy to receive .any .dividend. No resoln- f tions., were passed and:" the Official Receiver remains trustee. _m_'

CLEANING SILVER."—All difficulty in keeping jjSuver, electro-plate, <ftc., untarnished and "with a brQ- pay be obviated by using Goddard s Noa* i! o n Pia5e Powder Sold everywhere, in boxes' Is, 2s M. and 1s &d Six Gold HedaU 105

ADVANTAGES OF THE ARMY. TOMMY ATKINS AT HOME AND l ABROAD. r With the object of inducing young men to enlist and follow the profession of arms, Lieut.- Colonel the Hon. C. Dutton, commanding at Newport, on Thursday delivered a lecture I in the Colonial-hall, Cardiff, on The British Army and the advantages of serving in it." The lecture was illustrated with uiagic-lantern views, showing the ordinary routine of Tommy Atkins's life at home and abroad. By per- mission of the colonel and officers, the band of the 3rd V.B. of the Welsh Regiment, under the conductorship of Mr Johnson. attended and played selections of suitable musiel Colonel A. E. Goldsmiii, commanding the 41so Regimental District, presided. At the present time, when the labour market is so over- stocked and general depression is causing so much privation, the advantages offered by the Army to strong and healthy young men do not seem to be fully realised. In this district Colonel Goldsmid has done much to popularise the service, but the old prejudice existing in the minds of parents agamst their sons going soldiering" has not yet been uprooted. Col. Dutton's address was as interesting as it was instructive. He conclusively estabhshed the value of the Army as a training ground for useful civil life, explaining how, under the short service system which now prevails, men of good conduct are retired when in the prime of life, at less than 40 years of age, with full pension and deferred savings such as is not often procurable by the ordinary artisans. He was pleased to find that old soldiers were steadily being sought after by large employers of labour, and instanced that when recently visiting the Ebbw Vale Ironworks he made the pleasing discovery that no fewer than 140 of the bands had passed through the service, and that at the neighbouring Blaenavon Works about the same number were employed He held that the private soldier should be regarded with quite as much respect as his officer.

__M_ VESTRY MEETING AT MERTHYR. ELECTION OF BURIAL BOARD MEMBERS. ¡. A crowded meeting of ratepayers in vestry was held on Wednesday night at the Vestry-room, Glebeland, for tho purpose of electing four mem- bers on the burial board, and two auditors. There was an especially largo muster of ratepayers from Treharris.—Upon the motion of Mr W. M. Evans, Treharris, the Rnv. W. Jones, Treharris, took the chair.—Colonel Lewis, clerk to the burial board, announced that the three retiring members of the burial board were—Messrs W. It. Thomas, T. H. Thomas, and Charles rrice. and there was an additional vacancy through the death of Mr W. Smyth, J.P. Five candidates were nominated, with the following results:—Elected Charles Price, Troedyrhiw (102 votos), Mr T. H. Thomas (95), Mr W. R. Thomas (93), Mr E. R. Williians (59). Non-elected: David Jones, Peuydarren (37). -Mr Ales Lawis and Mr Sandford Jones were appointed auditors.

LAW COSTS (D.W.R.).-Your creditor cannot make you pay the cost of High Court proceedings for a sum of £22, or less than that if your payments are to be deducted. They should have proceeded in the county-coort. As they stayed proceedings at your request, they are entitled to ask for a sum for costs equal to what they would have incurred by taking out a plaint in the county-court, viz., about la in the S. DECEASED'S DEBTS (Widow in Trouble).-Your late husband's furniture is liable for his debts, not you. If you keep the furniture you must pay the debts or compound for them it not, the creditors can seize the furniture and sell it. They cannot touch you. FRIENDLY SOCIETY (A.L.T.).-We are sorry not to be able to oblige a correspondent who writes from so far off as Newcastle-on-Tyne, but it is against our rule to advise as to the solvency of bodies of this kind, a thing which can only be done with safety after a full study of their accounts and securities. Unhappily, as recent erenfcs have shown, some societies and companies which outwardly appear most flourishing, are retten at the core. Generally speaking, it is safer to chose a very large and widely- spread society, because its resources are less likely to suffer from any temporary shock. PRONUNCIATION (Ignoramu.%).-Your modest excuses are net at all necessary, as to one unfamiliar with military customs there is nothing to show the mean- ing of the expression minute gun." However, the word minute in this case undoubtedly refers to the division of time so called, and not to the smallness ot the gun. The idea is that the gun was fired at intervals of a minute, to add solemnity to the funeral proceedings. WILL (Gwilym).—The words in the will, to X. and his heirs for ever," are simply technical, and mean to X. absolutely. Formerly a gift without the addi- tion of the word heirs merely conveyed an estate for life. The land which liaa been left to your father in these words is as freely at hie disposal as the cash in his pocket. CYMRO. -The Registrar of the Welsh University is Mr Ivor James, Wordsworth-street, Cardiff. CHIEF RENT (J. J.)—We cannot advise you properly on this question without fuller information of the nature of the chief rent, and in respect to what property it is payable. But no payment due on account of it can be claimed after the lapse of six years unless it is payable under a covenant. SICK PAY (Ivorite).—It in not of much use to consult us in a case of this kind. In the first place, whether the society Is justified in its action must depend entirely npon its own rules, of which we know nothing. In the second place, almost every such society has a rule requiring all disputes to be settled within the pale of the noeioty itselt, so that if it acts wrongfully there is no legal remedy. MARRIED WOMAN'S DEBT (Frieno-The law does not allow a married woman to be sued, except to vhe extent of her separate property. If you have now no separate property, your creditors are wasting their time and money, and you h&d better tell them so. They will not be allowed to send you to prison. PARISH COUNCIL, VOTE, ETC.-All questions on these subjects are adjourned sine die. Both editor and readers have had quite enough of them for the last month or two. The Act ought to have required that every parish councillor should spend a shilling on a book about it. LEAKAGE (A.B.C., Tredegar).-Witoever has the pro- perty in the pipe, and is bound to keep it in repair, is liable for the damage done by its leaking, if such damage was canned by negligence. INCOME 'i'AX (P.T., Rhayader).—Inconf dering whether you are liable topay, all the schedules are lumped together, and if your income be over S160 you are liable to pay tax under each schedule—subject, of course, to the abatement. BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION (Keltic).—The points you mention are absurd. No petition could possibly be sustained on so trifling a basin. SALE OF FREF.HOLD ocenb Heir).—By the mere death of his father, the-beir-has become completely entitled to the property. All he has to do now. in order to carry out his very generous and praise- worthy purpose of dividing wIth his brothers and sisters, is to find a purchaser and execute a convey. ance to him. It will probably be nece;sary to employ a honse agenw. SLANDER (Justice).-—The charge brought against you being one of a criminal nature, you are fully entitled to take action. In fact if the slander is likely to spread it is almost, your duty to do so, in the inter- ests oi the girl whose character has also been attacked. POOR RELIEF (Pauper, Trebarris),-(I) A brother can- not be compelled to maintain his sister. Has anyone tried to make him ? (2) We cannot say what is or is not usual on the part of boards of guardians. They are governed in such matters by their own sweet will, and we daresay there are plenty of boards which would strip a widow of her furniture before granting her relief. She had better offer to give a bill of sale to the board. SERIAL PARTS (No. 406).—Frankly, it is a pure t-oss-np whether the jullige will hold you liable or not for the 30 parts. Your signing the order is evidence that you are liable but; if you can convince the judge that you were misled in attaching your signature, and distinctly stipulated that you would only take one part., he may let yon off. We should, if we had to decide- the case. Perhaps it would be worth while to offer a small sum in settlement "without prejudice." ALDERMAN (H. R.).—In one sense aldermen of the borough are so for life, because when they have once gained the position they are very seldom deprived of it. But legally their term of office is merely for six years. TRESPASS (W. J.).—It is very clear that your neighbour has committed a trespass. In fact, lie has acknow- ledged as much by the advice of his own solicitor. But of course if yon Rtatt., by long enough, the operation of time will convert his wrong into a right. Your remedy is to bring an action for an injunction and damages, unless he consents to renew his acknowledgment and to pay you a rent. POST OFFICE BANK (A. B. C.).—We really cannot understand why you have written to us about so very simple a matter. The Post Office authorities ask you to let them see the probate of the will why not do so ? Surely they are the people who can best tell you whether they want to see the executor as well. CLAIM FOR ACCIDENT (Constant Reaodor).-We cannot very well help you in what is a pure question of fact. If the child was going where she had a lawful right to be, and there was negligence on the part of the company, they are liable but the quastion is not affected by the concert on your daughter's behalf. H. C.—Write to the secretary of the General Post- office if you want to know its regulations. CLAIM (Cymro),—We do not see how you cap make any claim on your adoptive father's estate. Your only chanco would be to sue on a quantum meruit for services rendered, but it would be set up againss you that you had been supported all the time, and had had plenty of leisure to work at your trade if you really wished to. DIS!JussAL(lnquirer).- We have'no doubt that youhave been very harshly and unjustly treated, but if your late employer lets the matter drop where it h, we think it might be wiser for you to do the same. You put yourself in the wrong if you made a false representation as to the time you had worked, and though we do not suppose that any court would treat it as a serious fraud, yet they might think it warranted your dismissal. LIMITATION (Virgo).—You can recover the debt which has been owing for less than six years, but not the one which has been owing for more, unless the indebtedness has been acknowledged in writing, or by a payment on account within six years. OLD CLAIM (Handy Man).—You cannof claim payment of money which has been overdue for nearly thirty yoars.

CARDIFF CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. TO THE EDITOR. SIR,-I am watching with interest the election of president of the chamber of commerce. I notice there are two candidates, both good men. Taking all things into consideration, I think withoub doubt one holding the position of M.P. is to be desired, for one reason amongst many others, that we are frequently (in the way of business) seeking the assistance of our local mem. bers in difficulties we may have wherein the various Government departments may come to our assistance, th-P fact of the president being able to usejhis influence in the required quarter is, in my opinion, a most important factor in the election of president, and one which should weigh with the members when their votes are recorded.-I am, &c., A MEMBER AND SHIPOWNER.

MRS ORMISTON CHANT AND PROFANE LANGUAGE. TO THE KDITOB. _Will you please favour me wjth a little I space in your valuable paper to reply to the unfavourable remarks and correspondents in your contemporary, as well as to several who have communicated with this office direct ? I could not ask this favour before, as I was wishful that Mrs Chant should reply to these ungracious criticisms herself. She being from home, my letter to her could not receive an earher reply. Your readers will learn what Mrs Chant really did say if they read the following letter:- 49, Gower-street, London, March 13th, 1895. Dear Mr Pike,-A s a rule I never contradict news- paper reports of my speeches or doings, I have not the time, nor could I hopo it would be worth while but in this case I feel bound to ask you to put in a con- tradiction on my beliaJf of the statement appearing in the Press that I said I candidly admit that I see no harm in swearing." Such an admission is absolutely impossible on my part. What I did say was f candidly admit I have often felt very hearty sym- pathj with strong I^ngaage. It lets off the steam of hot anger that if kept close in uneducated people sometimes becomes actual violence, and m more educated ones a settled grudge," and I gave an illustration from my hospital experience. It was curious I should mention what I did about the It was curious I should mention what I did about the blasphemy laws (which has been correctly reported) in view of the placards you mention of which I was ignorant, but of which I heartily approve. I was thinking when I did so of the unjust use that has been made of them from time to time in suppressing freedom of speech, and of how common, in spite of them, is profane swearing among numbers of men. I have not returned more than an hour ago from Sunderland.— Yours sincerely, L. OKMISTON CHANT. The placards referred to were those posted on the public hoardings at Neath and elsewhere, warning offenders of the penalties attached to the use of bad language in the streets, and which, as I have been informed, have proved very useful.- I am, &c., GEO. PIKE. Office of N.V. A., Arcade-chambers, -St. John's- square, Cardiff.

PRUDENTIAL ASSURANCE COMPANY. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of this company was held at the offices, Holborn Bars, on Thursday last, the chairman of the company, Mr Edgar Horne, presiding. The Chairman, in moving the 46th annual report, stated that the assets of the com- pany had now reached tho sum of 21 millions, the increase during the year 1891 amounting to nearly two and three-quarter millions. The progress made, though so enormous, was not, he said, ex- ceptional, in was the nominal growth os the insti- tution, the work of which was to spread the benefits of assurance through all sections of the popula- tion. The increase of 1894 represented a weekly increase of 242 policies of JB5 each. While the increase of the previous year, 1893, represented a weekly increase of 216 of such policies. In the ordinary brancfo the issue of new policies during the year was 61,744, assuring the sum of R6,282,120, and producing a new annual premium inceme of £ 339,957. The premiums received during the year were £ 2;077,956, which was an increase of 2223,586. The olaims of the year, -he stated, amounted to £ 518,131, and the number of deaths to £ 3,584, and 198 endowment assurances matured. The number of policies in force at the end of the year was 375,545. In the Industrial branch the pre- miums received durine, the year amounted to £ 4,244;222, which was increase of £ 272,360. The claims in this branch reached £ 1,548,377 the number of deaths being 168,689, and of endowment assurances matured 1,304. The policyholders of five years' standing who desired to discontinue their pay- ments, they had granted during the year 66,478 free policies the number of such policies now in force was 398,078. The number of those which became claims during the year was 6,672. The average duration of policies was nearly seven years and a half, and the total number in force was 11,176,661. The assets of the company in both of their branches was £ 21,213,805. which figures showed an increase of 22,674,940 over those of 1893. In the ordinary branch the surplus shown is £ 532.186, which includes 2100,000 brought for- ward from last year, which it is now intended to increase to 2135,000, In the industrial branch the surplus reaches £ 793,861, including the £360,000 which was brought forward last year, which it is now intended to increase to 2615,000, The total surplus of both branches is thus £ 1,326,047, and after carrying forward 2750,000, the sum of £ 756,047 for distribution among the participating polioy-holders and Shareholders. It was satisfactory to know that in every great calamity which occurred, a large proportion of the persons killed were found to be insured with them. For example, • in the Morecombe Bay boat disaster, 15 out of the 20 persons who were drowned were found to be insured in the Prudential. Though the present premises were large, yet the business was increasing to such an extent that they were now building on the site of Wood's Hotel, on the north side of Furnival's Inn, of which inn the company were the freeholders. Lord Kinnaird seconded the motion, which was carried.—The report was passed, and the auditors (Messrs Day) and secretary were also re-elected.— Lord Kinnaird then proposed a vote of thanks to the chairman, Mr Horne, for his long and valuable services in the national work of teaching the industrial population of this country to provide for the future. —Sir Owen Roberts seconded, and the motion was carried with much heartiness.—A copy of the balance-sheet appears in outadver- tising columns. — Mr J. Ramsdale, J.P., is inspector, and Mr S. Wyatt, superintendent, Prudential Buildings, Sc. Mary-street, Cardiff, from whom any further information may be obtained.

CADBOEY S COCOA.—"A foocValike suitable for building up the growing body, and for repairing, the waste which is incidental to all the processes of life ■ —Health. 1170a THE PrtMAK's DAUGHTER."—This IS the title if a powerful^new mining story of love and mystery { from the pen of J. Monk Foster which now appears { n the Cardijf Times and South Wales Weekly News of | Magazine and a Newspaper in one 1

J ECHOES OF THE WEEK. ¡ I BY GEORGE AUGUSTUS SALA. I Discussions are still going on as to whether the office of theatrical censor ought to be maintained or forthwith abolished. For my part I cannot see why a Russian-like supervision should be more necessary for the dramatic authors and theatrical managers of Eugiand than for those of Belgium or of the United States. In America there has never been a censorship either of the Press or of the stage. And this is also true of the little neutral State which has exrsted in Europe only since the year 1830. France has abolished the theatrical censorship with all other censorships several times whenever, in fact, the Republican form of government has been pro- claimed, soon after the great revolution—that is to say, in 1848, and again in 1871. Louis Philippe, too, did away with it when he posed as a liberal monarch, after the dethronement of that despotic sovereign, Charles X. But after a time the law abrogating the censor- ship has always been repealed by the Government in power. In Belgium, on the other hand, the article declaring that "the censorship is abolished and cannot be restored is a fundamental article < ot the Constitution, so that it cannot even be dis- cussed unless the Constitution is to be revised. I never knew of any grave inconvenience resulting from the absence of theatrical censorship, whether in Belgium or in the United States. Occasionally at some American theatre one hears of inter- ference and prosecution on the part of the police but I cannot remember anything of the kind being found necessary in Belgium. Some years ago I was in Brussels, when a piece founded on some notorious Paris murder which had been forbidden by the French censorship was brought out at one of the minor Brussels theatres. It was played the first night amid soma uproar. The second night the theatre was/nearly empty, and the third night it closed. Meanwhile I am glad to sea among the names of the numerous candidates for the vacant office of Examiner of Plays that of an old friend who hitherto has always declared against the post as useless, injurious, and savouring far too much of grandmotherly legislation. But, after all, if a particular office is likely to be abused, and the Government will not abolish it. it is surely better that it should be filled by acapablo than an incapable man. The Prince Mebternich, who recently died, held at one time a high diplomatic position-for be was Ambassador at Paris during the last years of the French Empire; but he was never a great diplo- matist. While he represented Austrian interests at Paris the Duke de Grammont represented French interests at Vienna; and Grammont and Metternich between them managed to convince the Emperor Napoleon that if he attacked Prussia Austria would side with him. It is quite possible, too, that Austria would have done so had the French begun the campaign by defeating the Prussians in one single battle whereas at the very outset theyallowed themselves to be defeated in two. It was then too late to hope for any sssistance from Austria, which could not-in Napoleon the Third's own words, and on a very different occasion—" ally itself with a corpse." I The father of the Prince Metternich who, under the Second Empire, was chiefly known through the liveliness and fastness of his by-no- means beautiful, yet somewhat very attractive, wife, was the diplomatist who played so important a part at the Cungress of Vienna. He piqued himself on being able to deceive without ever stooping to the grossness of the lie direct. In this respect he claimed to resemble Cardinal Mazarin, most insidious, most treacherous of statesmen, yet guiltless in all occasions of mere mendacity. Talleyrand, howaver, ridiculed Met- ternicb's high diplomatic pretensions, and denied absolutely that be bore any resemblance to Mazarin. The Cardinal," said M. de Talley- rand, "never lied, but he deceived everyone; whareas M. do Metternich always lies., and de- ceives no one. I have nothing to say about the case of Oscar Wilde against the Marquis of Qaeensberry except that Mr Wilde in the witness-box reminded me a little (less, perhaps, by analogy than by con- trast) of Alexander Dumas the elder, giving evidence many years ago in some case tried at Rouen. Asked to state his occupation, Mr Wilde replied that he thought he was well known." The magistrate repeated his question with some sharpness, upon which Mr Wilde declared himself to be a dramatic author." Like Mr Wilde, Alexander Dumas hesitated to say at once, and in a distinct manner what profession he followed. Pressed, however, by the judge, he answered and said If I were not in the native city of Corneille, I should call myself a dramatic author." There are degrees in everything," replied the judge. The Marquis of Queensberry, though he has several grown-up children, is scarcely more than 50 years of age. One of his sons, Lord Alfred Douglas, is private secretary to Mr Oscar Wilde, with whom, a few days ago, he left London for Paris. Besides devising a set of rules for the prize-ring, the Marquis has written poetry, and he is, moreover, an agnostic philosopher. He it was who, during the performance of Tennyson's Promise of May," stood up in the stalls and s complained bitterly of the misrepresentations directed in that drama against atheists. He has been twice married. But lie was divorced from his first wife, and his second marriage was quite recently annulled. When a lady is about to have lierportrait taken and wishes to look her best—a blissful condition of things which suits the painter quite as much as it does the sitter—she should secure for herself such surroundings as Leonardo da Vinci found for the fascinating Mona Lisa, to whom, while Leonardo was working with his brush, the finest musicians played, the most perfect vocalists sang. This is supposed to have induced the expression of heavenly joy which lights up thab beautiful, if somewhat mysterious, somewhat enigmatical countenance of the lady described in the catalogue of the Louvre as La Joconde." I wish my fellow-writers would. not .vex my soul by placing the indefinite article a before such words as historical," hysterical," hotel," and the indefinite article an before such words as "union," "usual," "university." Try to read aloud the words, "a historical view," or "a hysterical girl," and you will find it difficult to do so. Nor is it easy to say, an union" or "an university;" whereas it is both euphonious and correct to say "a union" and "a nnivetsity." The rule on the subject, so little known, is When, in a word beginning with an aspirated h the accent falls on the second syllable, the indefinite article preceding the word is always a," and, when in a word beginning with u the Ittter u forms a syllable by itself, the indefinite article preceding the word is always "an." That rules, mes cheres confreres, will suit all casM. A piece announced at the Olympic, under the title of the Owner of the Works," is said to be an English version of the drama entitled "Die Weber (The Weavers), which the Emperor of Germany so much dislikes. There are two diffeient editions of this play; one in which the famished weavers kill, cook, and eat a dog in presence of the audience, and another in which this horrible and dis- gusting detail is omitted. I do not think the English public could quite swallow the roasted dog; and it may be that the new Examiner of Plays will not altogether approve of it. The late Examiner of Plays, W. E. F. S. Pigott, has often told me that he considered himself not only a censor of morals, but also an arbiter of taste and, if that be a true view of the examiner's functions, the dog will evidently have to come out.

TROUBLESOME VAGRANT. John Hoi ton (50), a labourer, was charged before Mr Bros with damaging two bed rugs, value 10s, at the Vine-street casual ward, the property of the Holborn Guardians. The prisoner was admitted to the casual ward on Tuesday evening. Yesterday morning the officials found that two woollen rugs, which bad been placed on Holton's bed, were torn in pieces. The prisoner had given a great deal of trouble at the ward for some time past, and on being charged at the police-station with the damage, he said, A good job."—Mr Bros What have you to say ?—The Prisoner Thera were three rugs on the bed. I thought I was going to be smothered, and I would rather dio a natural death, so 1 tore the rugs up to keep myself awake. (Laughter.) May I ask your worship a question ?—Mr Bros: Yes what is it —The Prisoner Can I have something before I go to goal. say, for instance, a piece of bread and cheese ? (Laughter.)—Mr Bros: You must go to prison for one month with hard labour.—The Prisoner (cheerfully): Much obliged, sir.

HE WOULD STOP THE DRINK. At Bow-street Police-oourb on Wednesday Will" McKenzie, a stalwart fellow, who appeared in the dock in full Highland costume, was charged -before Mr Vatikhtn-witli being drunk and disorderly. On Tuesday evening the prisoner began to play his bagpipes outside the Gaiety Theatre just as people were assembling outside the pit entrance. A large crowd gathered, and a police-sergeant ordered him to go away. Tho prisoner was drunk, and as he refused to go was taken into custody. The prisoner, who spoke with a very broad accent, said he would stop the drink in future. Mr Vauhan told him be must be careful of the whisky in this country, and finf>d him 53. Subsequently the magistrate ascer- tained that on Ftiday last the prisonw was "ranted one guinea from the court funds to get his bagpipes out of pawn. He ordered the prisoner to be brought back, and told him that his conduct was perfectly scandalous. He had obtained i.oney by false pretences, and his be- haviour had been bad in the extreme. The prisoner looked thoroughly ashamed of himself, and igaiii said he would stop the drink.

CONFIRMATION AT CARDIFF. On Wednesday evening the Lord Bishop of the diocese paid his annttal visit to St. jobil's Church to administer the rite of confirmation. Tho service commenced at seven p.m., and th-.rc; was a large congregation of devout worshippers. I The number of candidates prsscnted was 137 (52 maits and;85 females) but for illness- and other causes the number would hap been, larger. A small contingent from St. Stephen s was pre. I' sented by the Rev. A.G. Russcll. A noteworthy- feature of the confirmation ^services at St, John's is the large proportion- of adults* always seen among the candidates.