South Wales Daily News

NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENTS. Contributions sent to the South Wales Daily News should be plainly written in ink, and invariably on one side of the paper. We desire to urge upon our numerous correspondents the value of concise- ness and the desirability of curtailing the length of their communications. It cannot be too clearly understood that brief and pointed letters receive the first attention. All communications intended for insertion must be authenticated by the name and address of the write-, not necessarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. No notice wili be taken of anonymous letters. Rejected communi- cations will not be returned.

BIRTHS, MARRIAGES. DEATHS Notices of Births, Marriages, and Deaths, Is each, if notexeeeding 20 wot-df. and 6d for each extra 10 worAt, BIRTH. HANDFoRD.-On December 27th, at Monkleigh, Clvtha- quare, Newport, the wife of J. Peard Handford, of a daughter. 7607 MARRIAGES. GRIFFITHS—HODGE.—December 25tb, at the Baptist Chapel, Fishponds, by the Rev. John Griffiths (father of the bridegroom), assisted by the Rev. T. S. Camp- bell (pastor), Albert John, eldest son of the Rev. J. Griffiths, pastor of Mount Zion Welsh Congregational Chapel, Newport, to Elizabeth Maria (Lil), second daughter of Mr John Hodge, leather merchant, of Staple Hill, Bristol. 7615 TRENCHARD— HALL.—On December 30th, 1895, at Penarth-voad Chapel, by the Rev. G. C. Percival, John Trenchard to Annie, only daughter of Joseph Hall, chief engineer, of Cardiff. No cards. 215 DEATHS. LLOYD.—December 30th, at Keppoch-street, Cardiff, Catherine Lloyd, widow of the late Rev. John Lloyd, Baptist minister, Merthyr, aged 75. Deeply re- gretted. 279 MURRAY,—On the 29th inst., at Rogaet House, Walter- road, Swansea, Mary, wife of Mr Patrick Murray, aged 63 yetrs. No flowers by request. s ims.-On December 26th, at 7, Westbourne-road, Penarth, William Sims. Funeral on Monday at Aberdare Cemetery. Private. No flowers. 2 WEBB.—December 2dth, at 10, Beaufort-street, Bryn. mawr, I'nd. T. Webb. Public funeral Wednesday, January 1st, at 2.30, Brynmawr Cemetery. Friends please accept this invitation. 7597 WILLIAMS —On Dec. 26th, at Tyntyla Farm, Ystrad Rhondda, very suddenly, Lewis Williams, aged 38. Funeral on Monday, at 1.30 o'clock, for Nebo Chapel, Heolfach. Friends please accept this intimation. 980 Heolfach. Friends please accept this intimation. 980

OLD SWANSEA THEATRE, On WEDNESDA Y NEXT we shall com- mence a series of Sketches by Dafydd Gwent upon The Old Swansea Theatre, the only playhouse in South Wales which may be said to have a history. One of the Sketches will deal with Edmund Kean's toilsome tramp from Birmingham to Swansea with his young wife-a powerftd picture of the hardships of a strolling player's life. Another prominent figure will be Andrew Cherry, author, actor, and manager, who engaged Edmund Kean. Sketches will also be given of Charles Mathews, the Blder, the Macreadys (son and father), Pugin, the scenic painter (father of the great Gothic architect), Ann, of Swansea, and other more or less famous people who have been connected with the Old Swansea house. The series will comprise five articles, and will appear EACH WEDNESDAY. The LONDON OFFICES of the South Wales Daily News are at 46, Fleet-street (opposite Fetter-lane), where Advertisements are received up to 4.30 p.m. for insertion in the following day's issue. The South Wales Daily News may be obtained immediately after the arrival of the 10.45 train at the Offices. 46, Fleet-street at Messrs W. H. Smith and Sons' Bookstall. Paddington Station at Messrs Everett and Son's, 17. Royal Exchange and at Messrs Everett and Son's, Bells Buildings, Salisbury-square, Fleet-street.

TVESDAT. DECEMBER 81, 1S95. TO-DAY'S TELEGRAMS. IF a reader were to judge from to-day's telegrams he might be excused for decision that trouble is brewing all round, and that foreign affairs ought to displace home concerns in the minds of all good Britions. If he looked deeper his decision might be changed. But the general reader does not look deeper he is like the holders of and dealers in American securities who, a few days ago, threw away a hundred millions sterling in market value because President CLEVELAND chose to go on the rampage. There were a score of good reasons why no war should result from CLEVELAND'S criminal folly. One of them is that the Americans, not being such fools as the Europeans, had no army to fight with. We need not mention the other nineteen. JONATHAN is too 'cute to quarrel with his best customer, even if there really were ground of offence. To- day we publish items of news from the States, the Transvaal, and Constantinople, which make up, with the Ashantee business, a nice little quartette of difficulties for any Ministry to deal with. As to American affairs, they will become serious when the Americans make them so; when solid public opinion in the States follows the trail of politicians and Stock Exchange bears who are playing the game just now for all it is worth to each of them respectively. Professor BRYCE has taught British readers to distinguish between the noise of the place-hunters and the real opinion of the silent forces in the great Commonwealth and has also shown how the office-seekers will promptly turn back upon themselves without the slightest hesi- tation when public opinion does not support their antics. Despite, therefore, the long telegrams and the elaborate arguments con- structed on passing sentiment, we may fairly conclude that the Americans will not go warring until they have some- thing to fight about. The whole situation just now smacks so very much of the Stock Exchange. Nor can we exclude suspicion that the Transvaal business is also being worked by money power for pecuniary profit to be made out of a scare. It might be thought that Kaffirs had had a suffi- ciently heavy drop lately but there would be a heavier drop still if mines were shut down and work suspended, and the natives let loose in the disorders of a revo- lution. Undoubtedly the immigrants to the Transvaal have a legitimate grievance they are subject to taxation without representa- tion. Boers, whose only title to the land is "grab"fromthe natives, are making them pay very heavy sums for leave to open out and work the minerals, and all share in the government of the country is refused. Nominally, the Transvaal is republican in constitution but its laws are so framed as to practically prevent immigrants becoming citizens or exercising due influence in public affairs. Really, the Government is an oligarchy, sustained by men of the most Conservative type-men who can appre- ciate the wealth which the industry and enterprise af immigrants pours into their coffers, and can appreciate little else. But however irksome the conditions of the people at Johannesberg, it will be ill work for them to stir up revolution. The evil consequences of their doing so would not be limited to the Transvaal they would extend to Cape Colony, and prove most detrimental there, hindering that) of and English which has now for some time past been happily in progress. A revival of race dissension in a dependency of such importance as the Cape would be as injurious to the Empire as to the Colony itself, for there are race questions inevitably involved with the future government of that promising territory which make it highly desirable that the white population should be united. Short shrift to mischief-makers will, we hope, be the course adopted. It may be, of course, that pig-headed obstinacy at Pretoria is the root of the whole mischief, and that the refusal of President KRUGER and his advisers to permit due freedom to the immigrants is the cause of all the trouble. Of the real facts not sufficient information has yet come to hand. But bearing in mind that it is greedy concessionaries who have roused up the Venezuela claims, that it is U bear operators who are trying to utilise the incident by depreciating values of American securities, and that the Johannes- berg community is not exactly a goodly company of saints, we have warrant for looking to a financial foundation for the new revolution." Self-interest is the chief motive-power of collective action in matters of this kind and if the Transvaal trouble be anything more than an endeavour to get taxes lowered, the first inquiry to be made is—Who is likely to get anything out of it ? Ashanti need not count, except as to the Serene personality of the Battenberger, who has gone out to play at war. Constan- tinople remains—is, unfortunately, likely to be a permanent factor for some years yet. All goes as usual in Turkey murder, outrage, pillage rampant, and the SULTAN snapping his fingers at the Powers. There is a clear way out of the difficulty, if Lord SALISBURY would but take it a way that would set our hands free in other directions whilst delivering the Armenians from the awful dangers that now surround them. Lord SALISBURY in the crisis of 1878 made a secret agreement with Russia, and then went through the farce of a European Congress to settle the terms of revision which should be applied to the Treaty of San Stefano and another secret agreement would admirably serve his turn now. He has so far recognised the wisdom of Radical policy as to adopt it in certain respects, and he should not find it too hard to go a little further— imitate his 1878 coup and by another agree- ment establish, what Radicals have tried to initiate, a good understanding with Russia. He has his opportunity. A suggestion from him that Russia should occupy Armenia and restore order as the mandataire of Europe would paralyse the SULTAN and his clique into cringing subserviency, and set up a relation with Russia which would benefit Britain in several directions. Austria and Germany might object but the Powers which stood aloof- in 1854 and left the Allies to fight their battles through the Crimean campaign unaided, may well be left now to look after their own interests. That those interests would compel them to prevent Russian dominance at Constantinople is a recommendation of the suggestion now put forward, rather than the contrary. The Turkish terror can be extinguished if Lord SALISBURY will adopt Mr GLADSTONE'S principle of taking a friendly instead of an antagonistic course with Russia and the dead-lock would be ended in a day.

A BOARD of Trade return, issued yester- day, gives a statement of the number of lives lost by wreck, drowning, or other acci- dent, and relates to British merchant vessels registered in the United Kingdom. The number of persons employed in these is 58,537 in sailing and 159,257 in steam, and the total number drowned was 1,627, whilst 232 lost their lives by other accident. The proportion drowned is 1 in 134. What the proportion would have been if, on British coasts, there were an efficient lifeboat service, it is impracticable to decide, but it is unquestionable that the number would be largely reduced. In making such a remark we in no degree find fault with the Lifeboat Institution that organisation is doing good work admirably, but it has not money enough to do all that needs to be done. Dungarvan comes to reinforce the lesson that rescue from shipwreck should not, in this great maritime country, be left to voluntary effort alone. We have recog- nised the need for public provision against fire; and the duty upon the public in respect of lifeboat service is far more imperative. Lifeboats should be more numerous, and steam lifeboats w ith regularly-exercised crews retained among the local boatmen should be established in many places around the coast. The cost of the reform is one to be borne by the public, for the whole nation lives and thrives by the sea service, and ought to bear its part in this as in other ways of minimising the risks of sea-faring. Our columns to-day, in the paragraph relat- ing to the wreck of the Moresby in Dun- garvan Bay, once more demonstrate the crying need for reform in the direction we indicate.

NOT least among the many good services rendered the community by Mr A YLIFFE, of Newport, was his exposure of the cruelty case yesterday. He found, in the bitter snow of Friday, a woman with two young children who had tramped from Caerphilly to Newport. The elder child, a boy of six, had his feet exposed through broken boots, and was pale and pinched with cold, evidently suffering severely. Inquiries showed that the woman "was in the habit of tramping about the country, and persisted in taking the children with her to excite sympathy." Thereupon, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children took up the case, and collected evidence sufficient to warrant a sentence of two months' imprisonment, which was passed by Newport magistrates yesterday. There can be no shadow of excuse for the cruelty revealed. Whatever be the necessities of the mother, her per- sistence in exposing the children and train- ing them to beggary is criminal and, for the children's sake, a stop must be put to her career and the association of the little ones with the idlers and rogues of tramps' lodging-houses. The U benevolent who give alms to beggars having children with them are as much responsible as the mendicants themselves. No consideration should be given to the wastrels who thus live upon the sufferings of little children, and whose whole work is to train up a new generation of vagabonds. The point of view is the future welfare of the children noth- ing else may count.

WALES AND THE VOLUNTARY SCHOOL QUESTION. Our Rhyl correspondent telegraphs that io been decided to hold a great conference and demonstration towards the end of January at Rhyl for the purpose of making a national protest) against the further subsidisation of the Voluntary schools. The afternoon conference will be held in the Grand Pavilion under the presidency of Sir George Osborne Morgan. At the evening meeting Lord Rendel will preside, and the speakers include most of the Welsh members and well-kuown Nonconformist divines. Mr Evans-Davies, solicitor, Pwllheli, is the secretary.

THE SWANSEA CASTLE. THE CAPTAIN ALIVE. The overdue barque Swansea Castle, arrived at Swansea on Monday morning. It appears that the report which came ashore on Sunday night as to the alleged death of the captain is not correct. The confusion arose from the circumstance that the captain baa not returned in his vessel because, when at Port Nollotb, the captain of the Magwen (Mr Francis), belonging to the same owners, died of dysentery, and an exchange was made, Captain Bevan, of the Swansea Castle, going into the Magwen, and the mate of the Magwen (Mr Jones) taking com- maud of the Swansea Caatle.

A GREAT COMFORT."—Yes, it is often misery for a person to cough and cough until it distress both himself and friends almost beyond endurance, bat l KEATiiias COUGH LOZENGES would stop all that; they are simply unrivalled one alogo affoid p relief, Sold overjrwbew ia ttga, each 17

| LONDON LETTER. [FROM OUR LONDON CORRESPONDENT.] SPECIALLY WIRED. LONDON, Monday Night. SERIOUS SITUATION IN THE TRANSVAAL. In the best informed circles the general view at present is that the position of affairs in the Transvaal is for the moment much more alarming than the threatened trouble with the United States. It is no longer a secret that a very large amount of ammu- nition has found its way from this country to the supporters of the National Union in the Transvaal, and every preparation was, it is believed, made some months ago for any possible emergency. There is a rumour in Downing-street to-night that a special Cabinet Council will be held shortly to consider the position of affairs as affecting British subjects. WORK FOR THE COLONIAL SECRETARY. When Mr Chamberlain, having marked out plenty of work to occupy the Colonial Office, went away for a quiet rest, he hardly reckoned that such a stirring question as this would await his return, which was fixed for next week. It was then supposed that the arrangements for carrying an electric cable via Canada to Australia, passing only through British territory, would be the first scheme demanding his attention. As Sir Charles Tupper in a few days returns from the Dominion, where he has had long conferences on the subject, I am told that his cable scheme has not caught on very firmly in Canada. Australia will be asked to nominate two representa- tives to the conference to be held at the Colonial Office early in February. VACANCY IN THE WHIPS' OFFICE. I learn on good authority that the vacancy in the Whips' Office, vacant through the succession of the Marquis of Carmarthen to the Peerage, will be offered to Sir Herbert Maxwell, M.P. for Wigtonshire. Sir Herbert was a Junior Lord of the Treasury in the last Conservative Government, and did hard work for the party during the time it was in opposition. PROMOTION FOR LORD LONDONDERRY. Everybody believes that Lord London- derry, like Lord George Hamilton, will, in course of time, relinquish the chairmanship of the London School Board on account of being called to high office in the State. The marked prominence which he gave to foreign affairs in his speech at Tudhoe is probably the cause of the curious and startling report that he is destined in more serene times to be offered the post of Foreign Secretary. There may be no limit to the ambition of Lord Londonderry, but it is absolutely incredible that a man of his slender experience should be invited to undertake obligations which tax the ability of the most brilliant and accomplished statesmen. KNOTTY POINT FOR THE PREMIER. If Lord Salisbury makes the Duke of Norfolk Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey he will give the greatest offence to some of the county magnates. The rumour that the appointment is contemplated is almost incredible, seeing that the Duke, so far as Surrey is concerned, is an absentee land- lord. The Brodricks are urging the claims of the head of their family (Lord Middleton) with much persistence but it is still likely that Lord Onslow may be chosen. Lord Ashcombe's name has been mentioned, but the late Mr Cubitt, whose identity is con. cealed by a title, is too modest a man to allow his qualifications, which are not un. worthy of consideration, to be urged on the Premier. OF INTEREST TO BARRISTERS. The General Council of the Bar have re- ceived a very large number of applications for the post of paid secretary. No one but a barrister is eligible, and if it be true that Mr Lofthouse is a candidate for the ap- pointment, the choice of the Council hardly admits of doubt. Mr Lofthouse acted as honorary secretary to the Bar Committee with gpeat energy and discretion; and he is generally popular among the members of the profession. A WELL-KNOWN CHARACTER GONE. The late Mr Wm. Tegg, whose remains have just been interred at Norwood Cemetery, spent many of his early years in the old Mansion House, which was built by Wren. His father, who rented the house for over 40 years at S400 a year, was very much averse to official life, and cheerfully paid heavy fines in order to obtain exemption. Wm. Tegg himself was for several years a member of the City Corporation. But he was more in his element among literary men, whose society he passionately loved. He was the friend of Cruikshank and Dickens, of Mark Lemon and Douglas Jerrold. Personally, he bore a strong resemblance to some of Dickens's characters, and his twinkling eye, genial laugh, and fund of anecdote made him welcome everywhere. HATFIELD HOUSE BALL. The annual county ball at Hatfield House, on January the 8th, is next year to be more resplendent than ever. The house party alone is to muster over a hundred persons, many county magnates with their friends being invited to stay over the festivities. Besides this a special train for guests is to leave London in the evening and to return early the next morning for those who can- not get beds in Hatfield. The best musicians have been engaged, and the supper is to be a notable effort. The whole of the old Elizabethan house is to be thrown open, and its store of curiosities will be on view. People are making extraordinary exertions to obtain invitations, there being much heart-burning in "society" among those who fear they are to be left out in the cold. A WOMAN'S REASON." If the reception accorded to a new play is an indication of its popularity (which we know is not always the case), U A Woman's Reason," produced by Messrs Waller and Morell, at the Shaftesbury Theatre, and written by Messrs F. C. Philips and C. Brookfield, should have a successful run. The motive of the play is as old as the world, but the setting is modern enough. The dialogue is just sarcastic, just acid enough to give a piquancy to the play, and the audience is not slow to take the points. There are tedious parts in "A Woman's Reason," and there is one scene that borders peculiarly near the ridiculous but, on the other hand, there are several dramatic situations which would save a much weaker piece. A Woman's Reason," though not heralded as a problem play, teaches the lesson that loveless marriages are a failure. The incidents are skilfully handled, and the approval of the audience has been awarded on each night of the performance by genuine enthusiasm, actors and authors being called upon to acknowledge public appreciation. Mrs Tree is the person responsible for the undoubted success of "A Woman's ReasonMr Waller plays with effective earnestness and restraint the character of a personal and unconventional stage Jew; Miss Florence West is powerful in the scene with Mrs West in Act and Master Steward Dawson supplies a welcome touch of nature as che little neglected son of an unhappy marriage. Effective assistance is rendered in different capacities by Messrs Brookfield, Kemble, and Coghlan, and the Misses Car- lotta Addison and Maude Millet.

The Jowett Memorial Fund now amounts to over £10,000. A scholarship of £300 a year, tenable for three years, is to be founded at Balliol, and the remainder of the money will be devoted to a personal memorial of the late master, which Is to berplaqed in the College hall.

CAMBRIAN MINERS' ASSOCIATION. MABON AND THE PER- MANENT FUND. ANOTHER TRIUMPH FOR THE ASSOCIATION. THE DISPUTES AT TON AND BWLLFA COLLIERIES. UNFORTUNATE STATE OF AFFAIRS. The monthly meeting of the Cambrian Associa- tion of Miners was held at the Windsor Castle Hotel, Ton, on Monday, There was a large attendance of delegates, and the chair was occupied by Mr James Evans, Tynewydd, and the vice-chair by Mr John Jenkins, Gelll, Mr W. Abraham, M.P., and Mr W. Evans, agents, were also present. FUTURE MEETINGS TO BE HELD AT FOJITTPKIDD. The decision of the collieries was received as to the most suitable place in Pontypridd where the future meetings of the association should be beld, and a decided majority was given in favour of the Butohers Arms Hotel, and as the miners' conference will be held at Cardiff, on the 27th of January, the date of the next meeting, it was agreed to hold it on Monday, the 20th. THE TREASURER'S SERVICES APPRECIATED. The change in the place of meeting does not necessitate a change in the post of treasurer to the association, which has been held for nearly 20 years by Mr Thomas Davies, Windsor Hotel. Mr Evans now read a resolution submitted by the Navigation Colliery, which was to the effect That the Association desired to place on record its appreciation of the inestimable value of the services of its respected treasurer, and expressing a hope that the friendship which had sprung up during the course of years between the delegates and himself would long continue." References were made to the satisfactory efficient manner in which Mr Davies always carried out his duties, and the resolution was carried with unanimity. RETURNING TO THE OLD FOLD. Mr EVANS reported that the workmen engaged at the Fernhill levels had notified their intention of rejoining the Association. (Hear, hear.) THE DISPUTE AT TYNTBEDW. References were made to the dispute in the Tynybew Colliery, Penfcre, where a number of workmen engaged) in the new seam had been idle since the end of November. The disagree- ment arose in connection with the price to be paid for working the seam, and Mabon explained that for two or three years the men had been working on day wage, and that an attempt was made about two years ago to fix a list of prices for the seam, which was described as one of the" great unknown." At that time the men, acting under the instructions of the associa- tion, compiled a list and proffered it to the the management, who rejected it. After a day's idleness, however, they allowed the men to resume work upon the same day wage-4 6d per day and percentages. On the 1st of last Novem- ber the men received a month's notice to termi- nate the agreement, and three weeks afterwards they received an intimation from the management that the company were anxions to get an offer of prices upon which the seam should be worked in future. The men submitted the same list which had been previously offered, but it was again rejected, and the men, without being afforded an opportunity of discussing any future list, were ordered to take out their tools. After some discussion the meeting decidsd to give strike pay to the men affected as from the 1st of December. MABON AND ARBITRATION. MABON then observed, with regard to "un- known seams," that a big bill had been presented for payment by the association for the men who had attended the arbitration proceedings at Cardiff in connection with the dispute regarding the identity of a seam at Mardy, and also for the shorthand writers. The association also had to pay their arbitrator, Mr Galloway, and half the fees of the umpire, etc. They, however, did not complain but this arbitration was a proof of the desire of the association to have all disputes amicably settled on fair grounds and upon the principle of arbitration, and so avoid going unduiy to law and to strife and contention with capitalists. (Hear, hear.) He regretted that the workmen at Tynybedw had not had an oppor- tunity to discuss the question of the price hat with the management; bun this did not change bis opinion one iota as to the right policy to pursue. If they wanted to succeed the associa- tion must pursue a policy of peace and concilia- tion and avoid litigation; but if they failed to obtain justice in this way, then they must put on the armour of warfare, and let the world know that they were not "peace at any price" men. (Hear, hear.) He detested war in any shape or form, and as long aa ha lived he hoped to maintain the principle of arbitration but if they were forced to take other steps to secure justice, then they were prepared to do so. He regretted that the sums which they had to pay were so large, but be considered it was far better to obtain justice by means of arbitration than to get workmen out of employment during this incle- ment weather, and cause themselves and their families to suffer for want of bread. (Hear, hear.) THE PERMANENT FUND. One of the delegates strongly appealed to all the collieries to seriously consider their position in connection with tha Miners' Provident Permanent Fund, and what he described the unfair treatment which they received from the offioials. The question of increasing the workmen's representatives on the Board of Management from 12 to 15 would be considered a the annual meeting of the Board next March, and he hoped that the various collieries would express their opinions before then in no uncertain sound. (Hear, hear.) MABON referred to the report made by his celleague, Mr Wm. Evans, at the last meeting with respect to Mrs Kendle, Ystrad Rhondda, whose husband died, it was supposed, from the effects of injuries whioh he sustained at the Gelli Colliery. At the last meeting a resolution was carried asking the Permanent Fund authorities to accede to arbitration in the matter, and since then they had communicated with the secretary of the fund. An arbitrator had been selected, and they were now only waiting for that gentle, man to appoint a day for the arbitration. Proceeding, the hon. m»>nber said that something had occurred since the last meeting which he felt it was his duty to explain. He had no desire to bring any accusations against the fund which he could not sustain, but he had been informed that what he had said at the lash meeting respecting the two cases from Cilfynydd were not strictly correct. He had since been told that the case of the boy referred to had been settled upon exactly the same terms as those which had been offered to his father two years ago. He did not know what those terms were, but he was also informed that the settlement had been arrived ataimply upon the instigation of the local committee, the terms being those which had been definitely refused before. He was sorry if he had done any injustice to the Permanent Fund—he was not an enemy to that institution— but he would always oppose it until its manage- ment had been greatly improved, and until it had been placed upon a much more radical basis than ib was now. (Cheers.) He wanted to see the management Qf the fund in the hands of the workmen in so far as it would be conducive to its safety. (Hear, hear.) Referring to the case of the widow from Cilfynydd who was on the fund, and whose contributions had been stopped, the hon. member stated that he had been told that he had not been strictly correct in what he had said, and that she herself had subsequently said that there was something wrong to justify the officials of the society dis- continuing her relief.. He (the speaker) was prepared to accept the word of the secretary of the society with regard to these cases, but he wished it to be known that he had no intention of domg tbe slightest injustice to the fund. (Hear, hear.) He was quite prepared that it should have every fairplay upon its merits, bub it would never be placed upon broad merits until a radical chango had taken plaoe in its management. (Cheers.) Mr W, EVANS, who had left the room for a moment, now returned, and stated that he had just been informed that Mrs Kendle had received a letter last Saturday from the society to the effect that she would be put upon its funds. (Applause.) No arbitration or litigation would, therefore, take place. (Hear, hear.) Much satisfaction was expressed with the result, and a cry of Good Old Cambrian!" elicited cheering and laughter. THE DISPUTES AT TON AND BWLLFA. Two deputations from the workmen on strike at Bwllfa Colliery and those looked out at the Ton Colliery, both of which are the property of the Ocean Colliery Company, appeared before the delegates and explained their position at some length. About 30 of the men from the Bwllfa, where the strike has lasted for about nine months, are still idle, and about 130 from the Ton Colliery are in the same position, fcho other men affected having obtained employmonb elsewhere. It was pointed out that Mr W. Jenkins, the agenb of the company, bad made an offer last week that, with a view to a settlement, there should be a."transference of the men affected from one pit to another, so as to bring the matter to a test, the Ton men going to the Bwllfa. upon the terms which the men themselves asked for, and tbe Bwllfa men to get good places at the Ton Colliery.—Mr Jenkins said that he could not give another chance to tho Bwllfa men, as they had already had two. The Ton deputation declared that the Bwllfa men had refused to go with thfiin as a joint deputation to Mr Jenkins, and the Bwllfa deputation explained why they had come to this conclusion. Several of the delegates then expressed their opinion that had the men at the two collieries been members of the Cambrian Miners' Association the dispute would have been settled long ago and MÁBO declared that the Cambrian Miners' Association was apparently an outsider in this matter, but they uwab remember th»Vthe men affected were their brethren, and that they and their families were suffering. (Hear, hear.) There was, however, a difference between the twocollieries. The Bwllfa men were out on strike, as to the merits of which they could not give judgment; neither did they know exactly the correct state of affairs, nor the value of the disputed points. On the other band the Ton men were forced into idleness because of the dispute at the other colliery, with which they had nothing to do. Now not only were the Ton men turned out by their employers, but the Bwllfa men also in a sense turned them away without any practical sympathy, and would not allow them to have a word in the settlement of the dispute, nor give them a farthing of the contributions given to them. The Ton men and their families were suffering through no fault of their own, but thoy had been manly enough to refuse work offered them at the Bwllfa. Under these circum- stances he considered the treatment meted out to them by the Bwllfa men to be somewhat harsh, especially as they suffered through their (the Bwllfa men's) action. (Hear, hear.) MABON then suggested that a resolution should be passed strongly urging the collieries to con. tinue giving financial support to the men at the two collieries. This was heartily approved of, and it was also agreed that the collieries should be asked under the existing circumstances to forward their contributions in future to the treasurer of the Cambrian Association (Mr T. Davies, Wind- sor Hotel), so that the money could be equally divided by Mr W. Evans and himself among those out of employment at both collieries. This, too. was unanimously agreed to, and after further discussion another resolution was adoptsd, empowering Mr Abraham and Mr Evans to do what they could to bring about a settlement, should their services be asked for by the men. Mr EVANS subsequently explained that the Gelli House Coal would select the chairman for the next three months, and the National Colliery the vice-chairman and Mabon observed that the new feature of electing the chairman of the monthly meetings for a term of three months was proving a most useful one, as it aided them to become useful members of society and men of business. (Hear, hear.)

MR GLADSTONE'S BIRTHDAY. On Monday several additional congratulatory letters and telegrams reached Hawarden Castle in connection with Mr Gladstone's birthday. The Rev. Harry Drew has received a telegram from Mr Gladstone stating that they had had a very comfortable journey south, and that Mrs Gladstone is very well indeed. From Ottawa came a telegram, Ccelnm non animum mutant," signed Aberdeen and Isabel." Among other interesting telegrams and letters were the followiug :—"Please accept the warm congratulations of the ScottiahfLiberal Association on the attainment of your 86th birthday. Sir Thomas D. Gibson Carmichael, chairman." Dear Sir, — Tha members of the Leith Liberal Club, assembled this evening in general meeting, beg to offer you their warm congratu. lations on the 86th anniversary of your birthday, and avail themselves of the opportunity to testify their regard for you as the honorary president of the club since its formation in 1886, and their esteem for you as a statesman and philanthropist during a long and arduous life. They regard with pleasure and admiration the quiet serenity which distinguishes your retirement after a prolonged political career. They rejoice in the large measure of health and strength granted to you at an advanced age, and trust that these blessings may be continued to you for many years still to come. In the name and by the authority of the members of the Leith Liberal Club, we remain, dear sir, your obedient servants, D. W. Kemp, president; Thomas Hall, secretary." Please accept the hearty congratulations of the members of the Grangetown Workmen's Liberal Club, Cardiff, on your eighty-sixth birth. day, and wish you every happiness." Messages were also received from the Liberals of Accrington, Paddington Railway Club, Liberals of Burnley, the young men of Moulton House, 35, President-street, London; the Trow- bridge Liberal Two Hundred, the Tiverton Liberal Club, Bath, etc. The follom telegram was "sent to Mr Gladstone at Biarritz Allow me on behalf of the National Liberal Federation and Affiliated Liberal Associations of the country, to send their warm congratulations on the occasion of your 86th birthday, and their earnest good wishes to you and to Mrs Gladstone for the New Year.— Hudson, 42, Parliament-street, Westminster." One of many other interesting messages was said to be sent on behalf of weeping friends in Kingstown," who although sorrowing for those lost by the late lifeboat accident, wished Mr Gladstone health and joy."

SERVANT GIRL'S SAD CASE. At Limerick on Monday, Mary O'Connor, domestic servant, was committed for trial for the murder of her illegitimate child by drowning it last June. Prisoner said she did not know why she did ib. She had since suffered the torments of the damned, and the sooner she died the better.

RELEASED FROM GAOL. The Home Secretary has ordered the release of Annie Bullock, now undergoing a term of five years' penal servitude for the manslaughter of a child belonging to a neighbour named Billingham. The parties lived in ^Stafford-street, Burton, and during ft quarrel prisoner, under great provocation, threw a bucket of scalding soapsuds, fatally injuring the ohild, which was in its mother's arms. Prisoner had two and a half more years to serve.

SERIOUS CHARGE AGAINST A CLERGYMAN, At Worcester City Police Court on Mondoy Charles James Hinkson, aged 46, a clergyman, and graduate of Trinity College, Dublin, was committed for trial on tbe charge of indecently assaulting a little girl named Davis. According to the evidence, the prisoner arrived in Worcester on Christmas Day in search of employment, and while drunk the same night it is alleged he assaulted the girl in the street.

ALLEGED MURDER. Joseph Ellis, a teamster employed by the Rector of Standish, was formally charged ab Chorley, Lancashire, on Monday, with the wilfu murder of Michael Burke, who lodged with him. Sergeant Gill briefly gave evidence regarding the finding of the body. He said that the crown of the bead was battered in, and a handkerchief was tied so tightly round the neck that it bad to be cut. It was also stated the neighbours heard quarrelling in the house. Prisoner was remanded.

NORTH BELFAST ELECTION. To-night the Conservative Executive Committee for North Belfast meet to select a candidate for the vacancy created by Sir Edward Harland's death. Sir James Haslett, who formerly repre. sented West Belfast, is likely to be chosen. The Independent Labour party having decided to contest the seat, Mr Tom Mann has been asked to stand, a guarantee fund being opened to indemnify him against loss. Mr Ben Tillett has replied he will open Mr Mann's campaign in Belfast on Sunday week.

FIGHT ON A HOUSETOP. BURGLAR CAPTURED. Edwin Farrar (43) waa indicted at West Riding Sessions, Leeds, on Monday afternoon, for break. ing into the Morley Co-operative Stores on November 9th. Prisoner was detected inside the building, and when pressed took to the roof, and defied the police for several hours. He threw elates and bricks at bis pursuers, and was only overpowered on the roof after a desperate struggle with one of the police sergeants. Sentenced to live years' penal servitude.

ICE BROKE, THREE DROWNED, An inquest was held on Monday on the bodies of three boys—Ernest Richard Thurlby, Arthur Henry Thurlby, and Frank Allen-who were drowned in a pond at Buckminster, Leicester, on Saturday evening while skating. Alien fell and broke the ico, and his two companions were immersed while endeavouring to effect his rescue, and all three were drowned before assistance arrived. Verdicb: "Accidentally drowned."

MARRIAGE A FAILURE. On Monday at Thames Court Ellen Brotton, respectably-dressed girl, aged 17, was charged with attempted suicide. Prisoner, who was married last Christmas Eve to a mulatto ship's cook, aged 39, threw herself from a first floor window at Bromley on Monday, but was CI.ughb by a policeman, whom she reproached, asserting her mother had made ber marry for money, and her husband brutally treated her. Prisoner, who was reo manded, expressed contrition, but denounced her husband, who, charged with assault, was dis- charged.

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WELSH GOSSIP. ¡ Mr A. J. Silver, organist of St. David's, Merthyr, is to give an organ recital at Sb. George's Hall, Liverpool, next Saturday. liThe Pontypridd and Rhondda magistrates will to-day, all the Glamorgan Quarter Sessions, make another attempt to secure representation on the Joint Police Committee. A working man at Ffestiniogjhas just completed a beautiful model of the celebrated Menai Suspension Bridge. The work occupied the whole of bis leisure hours for the past eighteen months. There were more males than females in Aber. dare in 1811, and this is accounted for by the fact that a considerable number of strangers were employed in making the canal. The population in that year was 2,782—1,426 males and 1,356 females.. Mr Chairman," said a speaker is a meeting in the Rhymney Valley a short time ago, I beg to second the amendment because and he sat down amidst the laughter of his fellow-mem- bers. The dash indicates words that were never spoken. Mrs J. M. Saunders, of Penarth, Mr Tom Price, Merthyr, and Watcyn Wyn were among the adjudicators at the Christinas Eisteddfod of the Good Templars of South Lancashire, held in Liverpool while Miss Mary Thomas, of Ynys. hir, was the principal artiste ab the evening concert. The Cefn Mawr Choral Society has accepted Mr David Jenkins's proposal to take part in the great Welsh Festival to be held in the Crystal Palace in July next, when Mr Jenkins's Psalm of Life" will be performed by selected choirs from the Principality. Cardiff has more than one lady conductor. The choir which took first honours at the Canton Eisteddfod on Boxing Day was conducted by Miss Maggie Griffiths, a performance which is all the more creditable from the facb that this was Miss Griffiths'^ first attempt. "Hew many times did you see him between the first and second time?" asked a Cardiff lawyer of a witness at Cardiff on Monday. The Bench smiled with dignity, the witness grinned, and the occupants of the well roared uproariously, and yet the lawyer indignantly asked what they were laughing at 1 The gratifying announcement is made that the Rev. Henry R-es, of Bryngwran, Anglesey (son of the late Rev. Dr. Rees, Hiraethog," of Liverpool), who was thrown from a trap about two months since, on his way from Oswestry to Llansilin, and was seriously injured, is steadily but slowly progressing towards convalescence. As indicating the extent to which the depres- siollkin trade has been, and still is, felt in all parts of the Principality, it is stated that in Flintshire men are glad to work for 7s 6d a week, and many of them walk 80 miles a week to their work. An aKitation is now being set on foot to promote the: construction of a canal from Iihydymwyn, near Mold, to either Flint or Connah's Quay. The Rev. W. Mathias Griffiths, M.A., head. master of the Clynnog Grammar School, Carnar. vonshire, has just accepted an invitation to undertake the pastorate of the Calvinisfcic Methodist Church at Dyffryn, Merionethshire, a church which occupies a prominent place in the history of Calvinistic Methodism in North Wales, and where the late Rev. Edward Morgan, one of the leading Welsh preachers, so long ministered. South Walian3 were largely in evidence up North during the Christmas holidays. Among those who conducted pulpit services in the different localities in the district were Miss Rees (Cranogwen), the preacher-poetess the Rev. E. Rees (Dyfed), the well-known chaired bard the Rev. J. Towyn Jones (secretary to the Welsh Congregational Union); the Rev. R. Thomas, Landore; the Rev. T. Rees, Alliwen; the Rev. W. James, Swansea; and others. The Rer. D. Oliver Edwards, the popular Welsh writer, is also famous as a lecturer. He has already delivered lectures in nearly 300 ohapels and public halls in North and South Wales, in Stockton, Middlesbrough, Bristol, and London. He has written 326 articles to Sercn Cymru, 260 to the Athraw, and 126 to the Barter, and has also published six Welsh books, which have had a very wide circulation. That he is also a methodical man is evidenced by the fact that these figures are available. The year 1850 may be taken as the zenith of the prosperity of the iron trade of Merthyr Tydfil. At that time the four establishments of Dowlais, Penydarren, Cyfarthfa, and Plymouth had 47 blast furnaces, with forges and mills in proportion. Their combined annual produce approximated to 225,000 tons per annum no pig was sent away, but all worked up at horn" into rails and bars. The number of hands employed numbered nearly 18,000, and the wages paid exceeded £20,000 per week. Mr Allen Upward, whose late humorous passage of arms with the secretary of the Pwllheli Literary Society has brought his name before the public in North Wales, is described by a Liver- pool daily M by profession a barrister, by inclination a journalist, and by the force of circumstances an author. In journalism he is known as Ebenezer Lobb,' and in the mystic circles of Welsh bard' rn he figures as the bardic nom de plume accorded him ab the Gorsedd of the Swansea National Eisteddfod four years ago." Mr Upwasd is this week retailing yarns of London life to his friends at Cardiff. Genius is hereditary. Here is a case in point. The Rev. Towyn Jones, whose domestic hearth had previously been blessed with a couple of daughters, found himself this Christmas the proud father of a son and heir. His second daughter, who was born at the time of the great snow four years ago, he had poetically named Eira (Snow), A severe hailstorm swept over the Ammau Valley at the time when his eldest daughter, a child of eight, was informed of the joyful fact that she had a baby brother. She went at once to her father and said my sister was born at the time of suow, "noJ you called her Elra. I suppose yon will name my brother Cessair (Hail!) ?" Towyn thinks his daughter destined to wear Cranogwen's mantle. Edna Lyall, in the interesting record of her earlier literary experiences and impressions, con- tributed to the Ladies' Horn* Journal, writes :— No one brought me so much pleasure in school. room days as the celebrated Welsh singer Edith Wynne, for whom I must always feel gratitude and affection. Quite unknown to herself, she was, by her beautiful voice and perfect oratorio singing, giving untold delight to her small devotee at Brighton, who at the time, being orphaned and unhappy, doomed moreover from frequent attacks of ophthalmia, to spend many weeks in illness, sorely needed help and comfort. This devotion to a public singer led me to take the greatest interest in the musical world, and whenever the state of my eyes permitted it I was scribbling ab a story about a charming Irish soprano named Cecil Keoglin,' who waa the prototype of Doreen.' The Diary of the Welsh Calvinistic Methodists for 1896 has just been issued. What would ab once strike a non-member of the "Corph" as strange is the fact that it contains memoranda spaces for all the Sundays to the end of the year 1903, thus giving the churches and ministers the opportunity of noting engagements for eight years in advance. The diary contains much more information concerning the connexion than is given concerning them- selves in the diaries issued by other denomina- tions, for it contains 272 pages as compared with 140 in tho Baptist Handbook, and 180 in the Independent Handbook. One of its curious features is the list of the fairs in the Principality, whioh is also included in the Independent Handbook. Docs this indicate that the Indepen- dents and Calvinistic Methodists are more worldly-minded than the Baptists 1 Miss Catherine Davies, a native of Anglesey, who resided eleven years in the family of Murat, King of Naples, as an attendant, relates the following incident:—"During the short peace between Murat nnd Austria, at which time the British ships were allowed to enter the Bay (Naples), some of the French attendants were dxsirous to go with me on board an English man-of-war. The Queen gave us permission to do so. Whilst we wero inspecting the ship, I observed a midshipman, a youth of about 16 years of age, who followed us closely, and from time to time looked at me with tixed attention. At length he approached me, and asked if I were not a native of Wales. Surprised at the question, I replied in the affirmative. Pleasure beamed in his counten- ance. I, too,' said he, was born in Wales and he proceeded to say that his father was a clergyman living in Carmarthen. We became from this moment intimate friends." Can any reader of the Welsh Gouip" inform us who this clergyman's son waa

NEWS IN BRIEF. Women of every rank go bareheaded in Mexieo, I The Pope yesterday received Cardinal Logue, Archbishop of Armagh. The latest photograph of the heavens sbowS 68,000,000 planets and stars. The first set of new silver coins with the effigy I of Nicholas II. has just been issued. The Dowager Empress of Russia is expected to oin the Czarewitch shortly at La Tnrbie. Rournania has soma queer taxes. There Ilia tax on female servants, on doorplates. and 00 doctors. Among the wealthy classes of Japan it1 i. considered undignified to ride a horse going faster than a walk. A Californian lion, measuring six feet nillll inches from nose to tail tip, was recently shot near Pescadero, California. Messrs Cook announce that the ice at Leeuwar* den and in Friesland is now in splendid condition i and the weather continues fine. t No earnest thinker," said Charles Kingsley, J will borrow from others that which he has 00* j&jm already, more or less, thought out for himself." Owing to the fact that counterfeit coins are bad. conductors, a scientist suggests the electrio, flH current itS a means of detecting spurious money, The Queen's annual gifts to the Windsor poof will be presented to the recipients on New Year's Day. The Royal bounty consists of beef and coal, The newest fad in autograph books is one of cookery recipes. Each formula which is written has the signature of the contributing friend under it. The Admiralty have directed ships of the Channel Squadron to be ready to proceed to I Portland on the 15th January preliminary to a long cruise. The Marquis of Salisbury always breakfasts His meal is a very sirnpJe one, con. sisting as it doss of one poached egg and OPI rasher of bacon. It is now definitely settled that Mr Wilson Barrett will make his appearance in London in The Sign of the Cross," at the Lyric Theatre, on Saturday nøxt. A match-cutting machine is quite an automat curiosity. It cuts 10,000,000 a day, and then arranges them over a vat, where the beads are put on at a surprising rate of speed. The Dowager Lady Tennyson is taking a great part at the present -time, so we bear. in b. preparation of her late husband's Life and Letters. Her intellect is as virile as ever. Pure milk is insured to the inhabitants of Havana, in the Island of Cuba, by the milkman bringing his cows with him and drawing off all each house the quantity required. A telegram received at Berlin from Hwatau announces that the ringleaders in the plundering of the German mission station at Moilim have bpen beheaded in the presence of the German Vice-Consul. '1 here are twelve London tram companies. In the course of a year their cars run 22,787,000 miies, and carry 225,263,000 passengers. The London omnibuses run 49,783,000 miles a year, and carry 326,000,000 pessengers. An Imperial order addressed to Prince Holen. lose, Imperial Chancellor, directs that the twenty- fifth anniversary of the proclamation of tbe German Empire shall be commemorated by a festival to be held in the Royal Castle on the 18th January. Of great newspaper editors, Mr Mudford, of the Standard, writes a good, honest, business hand. Mr Lawson's penmanship, as a rule, is shocking. Sir J. R. Robinson, of the Daily News, writes a hand which has one is extremely legible. A meeting of students of Belgrade was held on Sunday, for the purpose of protesting against the unfavourable reports in the English Press on affairs in Servia. The gathering was dispersed by the police, as the proceedings threatened to assume a riotous character. During a religious service last night in the Beckenham Congregational Chapel, Mr James Medwin, one of the deacons, suddenly fell forward and expired. Rev. Thomas Sissons, who is resigning the pastorate, was delivering his fare- well address at the time. Yesterday, at Walsall, the death occurred from paralysis of Mr James Capper, for many years operative secretary of the Staffordshire and Midland Iron Trade Wasres Board. Mr Cappor was one of the most widely-known iron workers' agents throughout Great Britain. Some of the New York millionaires are organis- ing agoJf club, which, it is expected, will be finest in the world so far as the course is con" cerned. It is to be five miles in length, the pwf* chase money amounting to £:;0,000. A verf handsome club-house is to be erected on the grounds. The carriers who have been engaged on behalf of the Ashanti expedition select such uncommon names as Fine Man, Mike, and John. Already, a Press correspondent says, he has been petitioned by three John Smiths anxious to go with biW as hammock boys to what they call tbe Bush War. Io is expected that the Qaeen will hold in person the first two Drawing.rooms of the coming season, in which case they will take place about the third week in February and second week in March respectively. V t'ry shortly after the second ceremony, her Majesty will, all being well, leave fer the Continent. Two years ago a prophet broke out in Nert Zealand, and, after predicting the destruction ol the world by water, gave forth that there was ? certain mountain in South Africa, whereon chosen few could find safety. A number of misguided lunatics followed him, after providing him with large sums of money. The third report from the Select Committee ol Distress from Want of Employment was issued yesterday as a Blue-book, but it is, as the com* mittee point out. of an incomplete nature, owing to the sudden rising of the last Parliament, and special circumstances affecting Scotland and Ireland are not dealt with at all. The real President of the Venezuelan Republic for a long time past—indeed for any time withiB the last 20 years- has boen Guzman Blanoo, wh< resides in Paris. He is a millionaire twice oyers and the Republic is full of his agents and insfcro ments. Blanco lives in great siyle in the Frenoll capital, and his wife is a Frenchwoman. The Rev. W. Evans Hurndall, M.A., minister of Westminster Chapel, is lying unconsoious at his London residence, and the gravest fears are now entertained for his recovery. The condition of Mrs Hurndall is also giving great anxiety. It will be remembered Mr and Mrs Hurndall were found in bed overcome by the fumes of a defective gas stove. School bills, says a correspondent, are usually as devoid of amusing features as anything cat well be. But it was distinctly refreshing when my two boys came home for the Christmas holidays from a well-known Irish school, to find a oharge for Instruction in Boxing pub down as an extra subject under the subhead Natural Science." Prince Scipione Borghese (a Rome correspon- dent says) is going to rebuy the famous palace oi his family, where the Grand Orient cf the Italian Freemasons has established its headquarters, and will pay 1.700,000 lire. To the great regret of the Vatican, the Grand Orient cannot be expelled from the palace of Paul V., as tbeil contract lasts until 1899. It is stated that the judgment of a Conrt ol Honour in Berlin in the case of Herr Von Kotzc. Master of Ceremonies, who was charged with being the author of a number of anonymous post- cards of an objectionable character, sent M members of the Court and other distinguished persons, has been quashed by the Emperor, and that the affair has been referred for fresh jnquirJ to the officers of the 10th Army Corps. Some Japanese women have adopted a quest bicycle costume that is a combination of the bloomers with the native dress. It is neitbet Japanese nor European. Combined with the upper part of the Kamona costume the Japanese women clothe their nether limbs in what IIor. neither knickerbockers, trousers, zonaves, nol bloomers. The ludicrous effect is heightened bY the girl having a national habit of turning tb< toes in, developed to its largesb extent.

SHEFFIELD'S NEW TOWN HALL. TO BE OPENED BY THE QUEEN. The new Town Hall for Sheffield, which hst cost about £200,000. and is nearing completion, to be opfin«;d by the Queen. Her Majesty b notified the Mayor, the Duke of Norfolk, tbbC unless unforeseen circumstances prevent it, 8 will be pleased, in compliance with the petition the City Council, to open tha building m spring of the ensuing year.

STOPPAGE OF A UNIONIST NEWSPAPER. A Hanley ?• correspondent telegraphs owing to the Staffordshire Sentinel ha.gts< pass«d into the control ii the n'orla.riy the Staffordshire Evening Post, the orpu' representing the party in North Staffords will cease publication after Deeemoer This decision was arrived ab by a ineetii e shareholders of the Post held on Monday. Dill- paper has been in existence three years ana months.

ANOHOB TEA \NCHOB TEA Xhe best value money can buy, G*Te ifc t