South Wales Daily News

MEKONG QUESTION, SETTLEMENT EXPECTED. PARIS, Tuesday.-In reference to the reports which have been published in several journals as to the probability of a speedy sebtlement of the frontier question on the Upper Mekong, which have been occupying the Governments in Paris and London for so many months, it is stated in well-informed quarters that there is now every hope that a definite arrangement will not be long delayed. It is pointed out that the territory on the left bank of the Mekong, which has formed the subject of dispute, was at one time offered to the Siamese by Great Britain, and was subsequently destined to be incorporated in the proposed buffer State, the negotiations for which, however, never assumed a very definite shape. This territory is of no great importance to anyone, and it is believed that the question of its i possession will not be allowed to form a subject of disagreement.—Batter.

v EXCESSIVE HEAT IN AUSTRALIA, DEATHS FROM SUNSTROKE. STDNET, Tuesday.—The heat here to-day is terrific, the temperature being the highest on record. Many deaths from sunstroke have occurred.—Reuter.

SOUTH ST. PANCRAS. The London Gazette of Tuesday night announces that the Speaker will, at the end of six days, issue his warrant for a new writ for South St. Panoras for the election of a member in the place of Sir Julian Goldsmid, deceased.

SUICIDE, OF A DOCTOR'S WIFE. An inquest was held at Cheltenham on Tuesday on the body of a woman named Vawdry, the daughter of a Birmingham doctor and the wife of a Plymouth doctor. The evidence showed that deceased, after being asked to attend an inquest on the body of a child which died from violence under her charge, had left secretly for Cheltenham.and at thelianadown Hotel in that town had taken prussic acid. A verdiell of Suicide by taking prussic acid while temporarily insane was returned.

FRAUD BY A BANK MANAGER £3,080 LOST IN A WEEK BY BETTING. At Old Bailey on Tuesday Edward Purkess (34), manager of a branch bank at Woodford Green, pleaded guilty to embezzling money belonging to Ais employers, the London and Jomt Stock Bank, and was sentenced to five years' penal servitude. Accused, who embezzled over £ 19,0C0, lost his money on the Stock Exchange and tbe Turf, and dropped £3,000 by betting a week before be absconded.

WHY SUFFER ONE MOMENT from torturing, disfiguring skin diseases, when a warm bath with CCTICCBA SoAl, and a single application of CUTOHTRA (ointment), the great skin cure, will afford instant relief, permit rest and sleep. and point to a speedy, permanent, and economical cure. when the beat physicians and all other remedies fail. No preparations ever compounded in the history of medicine have ever performed the wonderful cures daily made by CUTICUKA remedies. They are in truth the greatest skin cures, blood purifiers, and humour remedies of modern times, and appeal to those who have

MR BALFOUR AT GLASGOW. PRESENTATION OF THE FREEDOM. PARTY POLITICS AND PATRIOTISM, BRUTALITIES OF PUBLIC CONTROVERSY." EMPIRE UNITED AGAINST THE FOE, GLASGOW, Tuesday Evening. To-day within the St. Andrew's Hall, the largest in Glasgow, the freedom of that city was conferred upon the Right Hon. A. J. Balfour, M.P. The vast building was crowded. The Hon. Lord Provost presided, and the magistrates in their official robes were upon the platform. The LORD PROVOST said the freedom of Glasgow had been conferred upon eminent men, including the Astronomer Royal, Lord Kelvin, Dr. Livingstone, Lord Macaulay, Lord Clyde, Lord Roberts, Earl Grey, Richard Cobdeu, Lord John Russell, Lord Pal- erston, Mr Gladstone, Lord Beaconsfield, the Duke of Devonshire, John Bright, Lord Rose- bery, and Lord Salisbury. Every Glasgow citizen felt honoured by Mr Balfour's acceptance- the position of a burgess that day, and no doubt Mr Balfour would have a pardonable-gratification in being enrolled amongst the illustrious men who had just been named. (Cheers.) Mr BALFOUR, who was greeted with deafening cheers and the singing of "For he's a jolly good fellow," said it was with feelings of the deepest emotion that he received that mark of their esteem and consideration, and listened to the words far too flattering, indeed, in their tenor, but still the kindliness of which could not be exaggerated—with which the Lord Provost bad made himself the mouthpiece of those who had done him that great honour, to what ha bad justly described as the greatest honour which Glasgow could do would in itself and by itself naturally move any citizen of the Empire who knew what Glasgow was and what Glasgow had done for the Empire—(cheers)— but when he listened to the roll of distinguished names representing not one branch of knowledge, not one mode of public distinction, but drawn from all parties, representing literature, politics, and science, he felt, indeed, it was no slight thing to be proud of to hear one's name added to them. (Cheers.) There were two considerations which increased, if it were possible to increase, the gratification with which he had received that mark of Glasgow's approval. One of these reasons was that it was a mark of approval given by Scotsmen to one who was PROUD TO BE A SCOTSMAN. (Cheers.) Scotsmen had always succesded in doing what the constituent elements of some other great empires had not succeeded in doing, viz., that of combining into a perfect whole their loyalty to the graat community of which they formed a part and what he might describe as that lesser loyalty to that Scotland in which they were born, and to whose traditions they were so profoundly attached. They could not distinguish in the mind of a Scotsman between the feeling he had for Scotland, and the feeling he had for that Empire of which Scotland was no small part. The one increased the other, and each reacted upon the other, and each moved the other—(cheers)— and each was turned into a motive for ever more strenuous efforts for THE GREAT CAUSE in which Scotland and the Empire were interested, and thus it was whilst Scotsmen were serving the empire in all parts of the world, they yet turned with undiminished feelings of love and affection for that relatively minute geographical area, the smallest portion of the one island whose influence extended from the one end of the earth to the other. (Cheers.) They turned to that, and felt that all their love and ali their loyalty to Scotland made them but serve their country in the British Empire with ever more fervent devotion. (Cheers.) Thus it came about that he felt that honour as it was and as ib would be were he born south of the Tweed, yet it touched him more nearly to the heart, for it was an I honour conferred upon him by his own special fellow countryman. (Cheers.) There was one other reason which made him attach special importance to the honour to which he was that day the recipient, and it was a reason to which the Lord Provoafc had alluded in his speech. Lord Provost Bell had told them that in-Glasgow PARTY POLITICS were not allowed to interfere with the unity and harmony of municipal life, but be (Mr Balfour) was, by the very necessities of his position, by the inexorable logic of his profession, compelled to lead a life from which controversy could never be very far absent. The British Empire—the United Kingdom—was governed as every free community in his judgment must be governed—on the party system, and the party system required all those who took part in it that they should be arrayed n opposite c amps, that they should form part of disciplined forces in perpetual and perennial conflict, and it was inevitable that the public appearances which British politicious made should in the great majority of instances be performances in which controversial elements played a very large part. (Hear, hear.) He himself had, perhaps, been engaged in as bitter a political strife as any man of this generation—(hear, hear)—and yet he could most truly say—and those he thought who knew him best would not think he exaggerated—that be loved not controversy for its own sake, and that he would gladly do all that lay in his power to mitigate the severities and occasional BRUTALITIES OF PUBLIC CONTROVERSY and to deprive that which lie regarded as a necessary element in their constitutional life—to deprive that of all that was evil, and as much as possible of all that was bitter. (Cheers.) He had been betrayed perhaps into an unnecessary personal note, but ho did not wish it to be thought that he stood alone or occupied any exceptional position in this regard. He believed the whole tendency of the time was to make men of different and opposite politics see how much of public spirit there was in the action of their opponents, and that they were in- comparably better qualified to judge each other with justice, fairness, and with that charity without which there was no real perception of political truth than were our ancestors in times when party conflict ran higher than it did to-day. (Cheers.) Depend upon it, if he had rightly gauged that improvement in their political feel- ings they would reap the reward. (Hear, bear.) If they looked back at the great episode in English history—he meant the conflict between this country and the Continental forces aroused by the French Revolution—they would find that the savage animosities-he bad no other word that would describe it—which divided parties in Enziand-in Britain—were a real source of public weakness and a danger, but if. Heaven forbid, the time should come when England again would find herself NSARING FOR THEIR VERY LIrE against the forces arrayed against her, then he prophesied that no such bitter divisions would be found in her ranks, but that Scotsmen, Eng. lishmen, and Irishmen-(cheers)-and all parties whether they inhabited this island, or whether they formed part of that great Colonial Empire which was our boast and our pride (cheers) would be found to forget the party differences which bulked so largely in times of national repose, and that they would join harmoniously and unitedly in one undivided host to meet every danger by which the Empire could be threatened. (Loud cheers.) The town clerk bad stated that all the privileges appertaining to a burgess of Glasgow were now to be his. He made no careful or speciifio enumeration of what those privileges ought to be, but there was one which did not require enumeration, and it was one which he should value more than any other, and which he would state to the gathering. Having enrolled him upon their burgess list he had now the privilege of wishing prosperity to Glasgow. He could say it was not their pros- perity but our prosperity that be desired. (Cheers). He expressed the earnest hope that the future of Glasgow might be wortbyof HBB GREAT FAST, and that every citizen, every class of citizen, every corporate body, whether it be in the town council, whether it be in the combination of employers or of employed, whether it be private individuals, might feel how great was the responsibility which under the modern conditions of society rested upon them, that they might feel in other words that as they were given great powers those powers carried with them great responsibilities, and that it was their duty not to consider merely and solely with a single and sel- fish eye their own special interests, but that they must look to the great community of which they formed an organic part, and that they must feel in every decision they took, not merely their own welfare, but the welfare of their fellow citizens and the whole community depended upon their choice. And so passing from one phase of high public spirit to another they would make them- selves and their town a model to all time and to all countries of what a great free municipality ought to be. (Cheers.) Three ringing cheers were then given for the youngest burgess. The National Anthem was played upon the organ, and then the vast gather- ing dispersed. THE LUNCHEON. TUlflllll HI BH '■ TO luncheon. The Lord Provost proposed Mr Balfour's health. Mr BALFOUR, in the course of his reply, said from the very nature of things it must be that agriculture being one single form of industry, and being necessarily limited by the amount of land in a country, could only sup- port a limited and, roughly speaking, a fixed number of the population. No doubt a great increase of prices might augment the number of people working on the land, just as great progress in machinery might diminish the number of people working on the land in agricultural pursuits. We accepted the fact that the pursuit of agriculture taken by itself could not support a constantly augmenting number of indi- viduals in the country already fully settled where there were no waste lands to re- claim. That being accepted, it was evident that if the population of this country was to grow it must either be a strictly urban growth or a growth of small mercantile com- munities, settled in country districts, and not in large towns but in all probability the enormous growth of towns like Glasgow was not destined in the future largely to diminish, and the problems with which that city had to deal would still contmue to press upon them and their successors, and upon the success with which these problems were met depended the health, the vigour, the success, and the prosperity of this great country. Mr Balfour dined with Lord Provost Bell at his Lordship's city residence, Marlborough. terrace, to-night, and afterwards travelled with the late mail train to Manchester, where he addresses a large meeting to-morrow evening.

SINGULAR ACCIDENT. ONE MAN KILLED THREE INJURED. An accident of a peculiar character, unhappily attended by loss of life, occurred on Tuesday afternoon at Lord Dudley's Chain Works, at Round Oak, Brierley Hill, Staffordshire. A piston-rod in an engine was found to be defective, and the engineer decided to put it in a fire with a view to straightening it. The piston evidently contained moisture, for steam generated, :and being unable to < scape, the piston exploded, the fragments striking several men and damaging the works. A man named Hollins was instantly killed, and three other men were seriously injured.

COLLIERY ON FIRE. GREAT LOSS OF LIFE. VIKSNA, Tuesday.—A disastrous fire occurred to-day in the Hermenezild Coalmiue belonging to the Northern Railway Company, at Polnisch Ostrau, in Silesia. The dead bodies of six miners were spesdily recovered, and some ten others were then found to be missing. A search party was formed, and recovered nine more dead, but it is feared the death-roll is not yeteven complete. Central News.

ARMENIAN AND GERMAN DIFFICULTIES, SPEECH BY THE DUKE OF WESTMINSTER. The Duke of Westminster, responding at the Mayor of Chester's banquet on Tuesday night to the toaat of the Lord Lieutenant of Chester and Duchess of Westminster," said Some of those there that night were present at the great meeting at Chester in August last, where Mr Gladstone gave vent to his indignation and their3 against the infamous conduct of the Sultan towards his Christian subjects. He might say without exaggeration that for five months hardly a post had come in without bringing letters on this most painful subject, some with money for relief from the rich and much from the poor, In this way about £ 15,COO had been raised and spent. Considering that the field of persecution had been fearfully extended, he need hardly say that very much more was required. They should know, he hoped, sooner rather than later, how it was that England had been thwarted in her strenuous endeavour to put a stop to the red- handed villany of the Sultan, and what and where had been the influence which bad enabled and almost encouraged that monster in human shape to destroy some 50,000 unoffending Christians and to ruin thousands more with perfect impunity. His Grace :touched upon the American quarrel, and said they must hope and pray, as Mr Gladstone said, that common sense might prevail, and that all who were best and strongest in America would put their foot down and avoid committing a crime that would check civilisation for a hundred fears, and inflict byfratricidal war untold misery on millions. (Applause.) Turning to Germany, he said he should have thought, situated as she was between two powerful Empires, one decidedly hostile and the other in alliance with her, Germany would have beat consulted her own interests by cultivating friendly relations with England. Certainly we had no wish to be otherwise than on good terms with the Germans as with the Americans. The lesson they learnt from all these distracting events was that they must trust in God and keep our powder dry. (Loud applause.)

SIR M. W. RIDLEY AT NEWCASTLE. ENGLAND'S DIFFICULTIES DISCUSSED. Sir M. W. Ridley was on Tuesday night enter- tained to dinner by members of the Northern Conservative Club, Newcastle. Replying to the toast of Our Guest," the Home Secretary said the Armenian question was a heritage of their predecessors, and although lie was afraid it had not been settled satisfactorily he did not see how it could have been other- wise dealt with without producing worse results than those which had ensued. With reference to the Venezuelan question, which he characterised as trifling, he asked for the suspension of the public verdict until all the facts were known. He had no doubt when that was the case that unhappy controversy would be brought to a satisfactory conclusion. Referring to the action of Jameson in the Transvaal, he characterised it as a raid, unwarranted, unjastifiable and ill-considered. He stated, however, that it was not the desire of the Government in any way to depart from the Convention of 1884, and they were determined at the same time not to encroach upon the rights of other countries. Hr appealed to the people of the country to be united, and out of present seeming evil good would arise.

IRISH PARTY RE-UNION. THE LIBERAL ALLIANCE. At a meeting of the Central Branoh of 1 the National League in Dnblin on Tuesday, Mr Har- rington, M.P., referring to the recent proposal of Mr McHugh, M.P., and others for Nationalist unity, said that this return to common sense would be welcomed by none more than Par- nellites, who had in the beginning striven to maintain a united party intact. Was Mr McHugh speaking for his party when he said there was now no alliance with any English party t If so, when was the Liberal alliance abandoned ? The National Union did not create Parnell on the contrary, Parnell and his policy had created national unity, but it was impossible to build national union around a body of men who had no policy. Coercion or refusal of Irish demands by the Government might drive the Irish people together again, but to think that a union could be machined by artificial proposals such as those whioh had been made was to talk utter nonsense.

GAS EXPLOSION AT A BANK. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. An Airdrie correspondent telegraphs-The Airdrie Savings Bank was on Tuesday the scene of a terrific explosion of gas. A girl had gone in to clean the rooms, and was lighting a gaselier, when the explosion occurred. Every part of the building was damaged, and the two rooms where the light was applied were wrecked. All the plate-glass windows of the premises were broken. The damage amounts to several hundred pounds.

PEMBROKESHIRE MAIN ROADS COMMITTEE. A meeting of this committee was held11 in Haverfordwest on Tuesday. Mr N. A. Roch, the chairman, presiding.-The Chairman explained that a private meeting had been held by the sub- committee with representatives of the Haverford- west Corporation respecting the latter's claim for road maintenance, the result of which was that the Corporation's representatives had agreed to strike £ 46 13a 4d oft tbe claim, leavinir a balance of J680 to be paid by the Main Roads Committee.

LOCAL WINDING-UP NOTICE. The London 'Gazette of ituesday night states that at an extraordinary general meeting of the members of the Aberdare Merthyr Collieries-Co., Ltd., held on January 11th at 31, Lombard- street, London, it was resolved and duly confirmed that the company be wound up voluntarily. The London Gazette also states that the Leeewood Spelter Company, Limited, has been voluntarily wound up. I

The General Elections for the Province of Manitoba take place to-day. The Hon. Thomas Greenway, the Premier, was elected yesterday by aoolamation, his opponent, retiript: at the last moment. 1.{.q)1" Munday's Liver PiUs act direct upon the Liver they contain no mercury we suitable for all ages and climates, and without doubt are the best pill for biliousness, liver complaints, and indigestion. Sold in boxes is, 2s 6d, ajtd 4s 6d, p<tst tree, by the proprietor, boxes Is. 2a 6d, and 49 post trm, by the proprietor,

NEW SYNAGOGUE FOR CARDIFF. At the Town Hall, Cardiff, on Tuesday after- noon, Mr Councillor White introduced a deputa.- tion to bia Worship the Mayor (Lord Windsor), consisting of the following gentlemen :—Mr Isaac Samuel (chairman of the Building Com- mittee), Mr PhiU Phillips (treasurer of the Building Committee), Mr B. Jacobs (hon. secretary) Mr Hyman Goldman (president of the Cardiff Hebrew congregation), Mr Abraham Cohen (treasurer of Hebrew congregation), and Messrs J. Michalson, L. Samuel, and S. Blai- berg (members of the Building Committee). The object of the deputation was to invite the Mayor and the Corporation to attend the ceremony at the laying of the foundation-stoue of the new synagogue. A few brief intro- ductory remarks were made by Mr Councillor White to the Mayor on behalf of the Jewish residents of Cardiff, who comprised, he said, some of the largest ratepayers of the town, and it was their desire to ask the Mayor to honour them by his presence at the ceremony, Mr Isaac Samuel addressed the Mayor at some length with regard tothe growth of the town, and the great increase in the Jewish population, and said that the old synagogue, which has been established over 30 years, was quite inadequate for the increased number of worshippers, and he hoped the Mayor and Corporation would accept the invitation. Mr Hyman Goldman then ex- pressed the hope that the Mayor would accept the invitation on behalf of the congregation. After a few remarks from Mr Barnett Jacobs, Mr Lewis Samuel addressed the Mayor with reference to the persecution of the Jews in foreign countries, and said that if the Mayer and Corporation would favour them with their presence it would show a fellow feeling with the Jewish people of this country. The MAYOR then responded, and at once cordially accepted the invitation. But as to the Corporation, he said lie could not answer, as he had not had time to see them. But as an open date was given in March he would do his utmost, and he was delighted to think that the date had been left to him. He again assured them of his presence at the laying of the foundation-stone, and was proud to know that that congregation had selected such a handsome site as that in Cathedral-road for the new synagogue. Councillor WHITE thanked the Mayor for the cordial reception of the deputation and also for so readily accepting the invitation to the ceremony. Mr ISAAC SAMUEL also thanked the Mayor on behalf ot tho Jewish congregation and Mr Councillor White for his kindness 10 introducing the deputation to his Worship.

CYMRU FYDD OR FEDERA- TION ? CONFERENCE OF LIBERALS AT PORTH. An important meeting of the Executive Committee of the Rhondda. Libourand Liberal Association was held at Salem Vestry, Porth, on Tuesday night. There was a large and repre- sentative gathering of delegates from the various local associations, and more than usual interest was centred in the proceedings, as the Shrewsbury draft scheme for the formation of a Welsh National Liberal Federation was placed on the agenda for consideration. The chair was occupied by the Rev. O. Haelfryn Hughes, chairman of the association, and among those present were Mr W. Abraham, M.P. (Mabon). Alderman Richard Lewis, J.P., Alder- man J. Jones-Griffith, Councillors W. Williams, Tonypandy Daromvy Isaac, John Williams, Clydach Vale Morgan Williams, Porth and Daniel Evans, lTerndfile Mr Morris Morris, Ferndale Mr J. Griffiths, Portli House the Revs. Evan Richards, Tonypandy W. Morris, Treorky; Silas Charles, Fez-n(iile; Charles, Treorky D. G. Williams, Ferndale — Morris, Porth Griffith Mathews, Blaenrhondda; Dr. Makuna, Mr Tom John, Llwynypia ;Mr D. Thomas, Ttealaw and Mr D. S. Thomas, Tonypandy.—The Shrewsbury draft scheme was discussed at length, and eventually Mr Tom John proposed a resolu- tion to the effect that there should not be provin- cial federations but only one national federation, to which the various constituencies could send their representatives and opinions direct. This was seconded, and warmly supported by Council- lor Win. WilliaiTis. -.Tile Rev. Silas Charles thought that the local associations should be con- sulted before the executive icame to a decision, especially as they wished to seriously consider the question and had not had copies of the scheme submitted for their consideration.—Councillor Darowny Isaac favoured four provincial federa- tions, which he was of opinion would give better opportunities to the constituencies to meet together to express their opinions.— Alderman Richard Lewis ,thought it would not be fair to commit the meeting to the scheme, which nine-tenths of them probably had not seen. (Hear, hear.) That would not be business-like, and if they committed themselves to the scheme that night, the chances were that in a few months they would be dissatisfied, and that they would not have that unity amongst them which was so necessary to enable them to carry this question to a successful issue. (Hear, hear.) It would be far better to loave the Newport conference to go to the four winds rather than that they should be disagreed in going there. (Cheers.)—The Rsv. W. Charles, Treorky, moved that the clause be accepted, but that word federation should be replaced by the word, district." Having been seconded, the question was then put to the vote, with the result that 40 votes were given for Mr John's proposition that there shall be no provincial Federations and 35 for the amendment, which was declared lost. Considerable discussion ensued as to whether the remainder of the scheme should be considered, and it was eventually agreed not to do so, but that the delegates who would be appointed to represent the Executive Committee at Newport should vote in favour of eliminating the words, Four provincial Federations," from the scheme. Fifty delegates were then ap- pointed to attend the conference at Newport. A resolution protesting against any payment out of rates to Voluntary schools without adequate representation on the Schools' Management Board was also carried unanimously. Mr W. Abraham. M.P., Mr W. Evans (the secretary), Mr Tom John (Llwynypia), and Councillor D. Evans (Ferndale) were appointed delegates to represent the association at the forthcoming meeting of the National Liberal Federation at Huddersfield.

LOCAL LAW. SMIRRS AND BAKERS, LIMITED, V. EDWARD JONES.—A motion to restrain the defendant. in this action from selling or offering for sale flour, or any other article, as Spillers "Fines" Flour, which was not manufactured or supplied by the plaintiffs, or from in any manner representing that flour manufactured or produced by the defendant was flour manufactured and stipplied by the plaintiffs, came on Tuesday before Mr Justice Chitty in the Chancery Division of the High Courb of Justice. The plaintiffs carry on business at Car- diff, and the defendant at Usk. near Newport, Monmouthshire. Mr Justice Chitty sanctioned the arranged order, which was in this form Without prejudice to any question, or admitting any right to an injunction against him, the de- fendant enters into an undertaking in the terms of the notice of motion till judgment or further order, the costs of the motion to be costs in this action, and if the parties agree there will be a perpetual injunction with costs. SEDGWICK WOODHEAD V. MATTHEWS. On Tuesday the Court of Appeal, consisting of the Master of the Rolls and Lords Justices A. L. Smith and Rigby, bad before them this appeal of the defendant from the verdict and judgment in a trial before Mr Justice Lawrance and a common jury at Cardiff, m which the plaintiffs, Messrs Sedgwick and Woodhead, warehousemen and merchants, carrying on business at Manchester, were held to be entitled to recover JB150 on a promissory note given by the defendant. In the alternative the defendant asked for a new trial. Mr Abel Thomas, Q.C., and Mr J. Plews appeared for the appellants, and Mr Ambrose, Q.C., Mr S. T. Evans, and Mr Hill Kelly were counsel for the respondents. It appeared that the defendant, Mr Thomas Matthews, resided at Mountain Ash, near Cardiff, and he was related to a draper named Matthias, who carried on business as a draper, &c., at Aberdare Junction. He had given the promissory note to a Mr Davis, who was the traveller and agent of the plaintiffs for the sale of their goods in Glamorganshire, so (as alleged by the plaintiffs) to help Matthias- when short of money. At the trial Mr Justice Lawrance held that there was no defence to the claim, hence the present appeal.—The Master of the Rolls declared that the appeal must be dismissed with costs. Lords Justices Smith and Rigby concurred.

THE VOLUNTARY SCHOOLS' QUESTION. AtPa largely-attended conference held at the Canton Rectory, Cardiff, under the presidency of Canon Thompson, a paper was read by the Rev. F. J. Beck, vicar of Roatb, on the elemen- tary schools' question, and a resolution followed to the effect that the conference considered that the time has come when the Voluntary schools shall be placed upon a financial footing equal to that accorded to the Board schools. Copies of this resolution were directed to be forwarded to Sir John Gorst and the borough member.

LOCAL COMMISSIONS. The London Gazette of Tuesday night contains the following WAB OFFICE, Jan. 14th. MILITIA ARTILLERY.-Duke of Conuaught's Own Sligo Artillery (Southern Division)—Hugh Russell, Esq.. late captain Pembroke Artillery (Western Division), to be captain; dated 15tb insfc. MILITIA ENGINEERS. Submarine Miners (Western Divisioii)-Becond-Lientensub A. E. Skynner to be lieutenant dated 15th inst. MILITIA INFANTRY. 3rd Battalion Welsh Regiment—Lieutenant D. How resigns his com- mission dated 15th inst. VOLUNTEER RIFLES.—2nd Volunteer Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers-The resignation of Capt. J. H. Rees, which appeared in the London Gazette of 29th October, is post-dated to 2nd Nov., 1895. 1st (Breoknockshire) Volunteer Battalion South Wales Borderers—Lieutenant D. V. Rees to be captain the undermentioned second-lieutenants to be lieutenants :—S. V. Jones and F. H. Roberts dated 16th inst. 3rd Volunteer Bat- talion Welsh Regiment-Second-Lieutenant, W. J. Shiptoft <&ted

SWANSEA CORPO RATIONED THE TRAMWAYS. PROPOSED PURCHASE BY THE TOWN. At the Swansea Guildhall on Tuesday evening, a meeting was held for the purpose of deciding whether or not the Corporation should proceed with its Bill for the acquisition of the Swansea tramways and work them by electricity in connection with its electric lighting and dust destructor scheme The attendance was small, there being when the Mayor (Alderman Bradford) took the chair only 30 present. Perhaps this was due to the early hour at which the meeting was called. The Mayor was supported by the ex-Mayor (Alder- man Edwards), Aldermen Tutton and Rawlings, Councillors Knight, Rocke, Martin, and Lindley, the town clerk (Mr John Thomas), the Corporation electric expert (Mr Manville), and Mr Bell (borough surveyoi). In the body of the hall were Dr. T. D. Griffiths, Mr Sinclair, and Mr T. W. James, the leading opponents of the scheme. In opening the proceedings the Mayor alluded to the ward meetings which had been held, and said that at all there seemed a feeling in favour of the electric schemes with the single reservation that an independent expert be brought in. Since then Mr Preecp, the electrician to the Government, had been selected to report on tha schemes, and he pledged the Corporation that if his report were adverse to Mr Manville's recommendation the Bill would be at once dropped. Should he express the slightest doubt on the point he could promise the Bill would be withdrawn. Ho then proposed the formal motion authorising the promotion of the Bill.-Alderman Rawlings seconded.— Dr. Griffiths, in leading the opposition, welcomed the appointment of an independent expert, but said Swansea was the most heavily-rated town in tbu kingdom. Before they undertook greater bur- dens, they should look c-, ref til ly into the subject.— In answer to Mr Stephen Thomas, Mr Manville said the overlapping of the load was provided for by the provision of accumulators, which enabled the working of the trnms during the night, and were also a great service in averaging the tramway loads during the hours of daylight.—Mr Sinclair said whatever decision Mr Preece might give, be would abide loyally by. He was, however, very sorry to say he was seriously afraid if they adopted the scheme they would find the receipts would not come up to the expenditure. He went on to criticise details of the scheme.—Mr Man- ville, in replying, said the report quoted from in the Contract Journal of his Manchester speech was not accurate. On that point he had explained at a former meeting. In answer to Mr Moxham, Mr Manville said this was the first scheme of the sort in this country.—Mr Richard Watkins followed with long arguments of much the same character as those of Dr. Griffitliq. Mr Martin said he could not do better to bring the facts thoroughly before the ratepayers than by reading a totter which the chairman of the Portsmouth E'ectrie Committee had written to that day's South Wales Daily News. This he read in extenso, and said it was far more convincing than anythiKg else. This was a business question. There WAS no speculation about it, They were promised if this scheme did not go through that it would be taken up by a private company, but they did not want any more monopolies. (Cheers.) If it would pay a pnvate company it would pay the ratepayers. By getting the tramway as a customer they would have a customer which would pay for all the coal, all the wapes, all the management expenses, the cost of water, insurance, aye, and rates and taxes too. (Cheers.) The Corporation said they could supply the light at half the cost it was supplied at any other station, and yet they would be to the good.—The vote was then taken, when the motion was carried by a large majority.—Dr. Griffiths then demanded a poll, and this will be taken in due course.

.r- COLLIERY ACCIDENT AT LLANMORLA1S. CORONERS INQUIRY. An inquiry into the two deaths resulting from the Llanmorlais colliery explosion was commenced before Mr T. N. Strick at the Railway Hotel on Tuesday. Mr T. J. Robson, chief inspector, and Mr Fred A. Gray, inspector of mines, watched the case on behalf of the Home Office; Mr Viner Leeder represented the Llanmorlais Colliery Company, and Mr Isaac Evans the men's society. Evidence of identification was given, and a plan of the workings was handed in by the colliery manager. Walter Evan?, collier, Penoiawdd, said he was working in tha big vein on Saturday, and shortly after 12 o'clock John Morgan was working with him. John Morris came to bore a hole. This operation did not last long. He then decided to make it larger, and while the operation was being proceeded with an explosion occurred. Witness flaw the flarne coming through the hole. The three, after stooping down, then rushed for the air-way. The evidence of several witnesses who were working in the mine at the time tvenfc to show tuat at ualhpast 10 r/cloek on Saturday morning, when the men went to meals, everything was right in tife stalls where the explosion took place, but that when they returned half-an-hour later the presence of gas was detected. Eventually the inquiry was adjourned until January 50th to enable the other injured men to attend and give evidence. We are asked to correct the statement in yesterday's issue that there had been a previous explosion at Llanmorlais Colliery. The previous accident referred to occurred at Morlais Vale Colliery, Penclawdd. t

TRAGEDY IN A CAB. CHIPPEFFIKLD COMMITTED. Alfred Chipperfield, who is accused of miirder- ing his bride in a cab, was again brought up at the Old Bailey on Tuesday. Dr. Robinson stated'that the slight wound on the girl's hand might have been caused by her attempting to ward off an assault. Her wounds might also have been self-inflicted. After a futilo attempt had been made to induce the prisoner's father, who was very indignant, to give evidence, the prisoner was committed for trial.

NEW YORK PRICES. TRECTEN'S TELEGRAMS.! NEW YORK, Tuesday.—Money easy. Sterling Exchange steady. The Stock Market to-day opened fractionally higher on London purchases, but the early gains were lost by the afternoon. In only a few were there notable declines. The closings were steady. Cotton opened steady and higher on better cables, but gave way on increasing receipts; the closing, however, was steady spot quiet and n lower. Cotton oil inactive—crude, 24c; yellow, 28o. Petroleum-refined easy and 10 points lower. Lard—cash market firm and five points dearer. Wheat, after a steady opening, declined on weak cables, but later reacted sharply owing to a demand by shorts," and closed firm spot firm. Flour closed steady at five points loss. Corn ruled generally firm all day owing to lighter receipts; spot firm. Sugar—a steady market. Coffee opened steady, but has again been featureless, and closed dull cash dull. Tin quiet, and five points lower. Iron weak. Copper weak. Jan 14 Jan 13 Cal Money C.S. Gov. Bonds 3 r.e 4 p.c Ditto, other Securities. 3 t>.c 4pc xchange on London, 60 days sight 4 87% 4.67% Ditto. Cable Transfers.1.89% 3.89% Exchange Paris, 60 days' sight) 5.17ya 5.17 'Iii Kxchangeon Brbn r.Da.yz. 95% 95% Four per Cent. U.S. PunrteiM/Oi n J09 109 Western Union Telegraph Slu-tca 83*A F4 Atchison Topeka, A S. Fe ^— 14% 14% Do Do. 4 p.c. Mr;r 73 73 Do. Do. &p. Income,. 22 22% gall,imore &-Oliiei. 421 41 Ctwiada Southern Shares 49 49 Canadian Pacific 54 53 Central of New Jersey.v..v 98% 99% Central Pacific Shares 14: 14% Chesapeake A Ohio Gonrrnvi! 15% 15' Chicago, Burlington & Quincey. 75% 75% Chicago & Nortli-Westem, Ord 95% 98% Chicago & N. Western Preferred. 1"2% J03 Chlcsgv & W. Western Preferred. 1"2% Jn3 Chicago Milwaukee, and St. Paul 69 69 Chicago& Book Islayid 65% 66% Cleveld, Oin., Ob.. & St..Ls. Ord. 35% 36 Delaware dc Hudson 1251/4 J25 Delaware Iiackawana 161% 16Ql Denver & Kio Grande Sbar. a 12% 11% Denver Preferred" „ 43% 43 UlinoifeCentral Shares 93 92 Lake Shore & Michigan Southern 143 144 Louisville & Nashville SI) ar s 44% 45% Michigan CentralSharea W/2 95%, Missouri Kansas,andTexa■ 10>< liy4 MiasouriPaclflc 25% 25% New York, Lake firio, & Western 15 14% Dl+-to Smond Mortgage B inds 7} 75 New YorkCeni ral& Buwlfiiin Biver 97 96 vew York OAtario& Western,Ord 1:3;) 33% Northern Faci< c Comtoom 3 3% Northern Paciifc, Proferivd 11% 12 Norfolk A Western Preferred 6% 6% Ohio and Mississippi Ord. Shares — — Pennsyl-raniaand Philadelphia 51% 51% Philadelphia and Beading Shares 8 8% PhiladelphiaAReading 5 p.c.Ist Ine 26% 27 Do. clo\ 4 p.c, Mor 75% 75% Union Pacific Shares 3% 3% Wabash St Lou's, A Pacific 6% 6% W bash St LOOTS &?. Pref. Srs 16% 16% COTTON AND PRODUCE BI*HK!.TS. Cotton, day's receipts at U.S.ports 12,000 6.00C Cotton, day's reept43 at Gtlf ports 14.00U 12.000 Cotton, day's export to Go Britain 15.000 21,000 Cotton, day's expt to Coutanent 2,000 9.000 Cottonlutur Feb delivery 7.89 7.93 Cotton future Aprl Del ery 8.0 8.4 Cotton,middliiig upland Newjfoik 8|% 8% Cotton, middling N-wOri n 7jg 7% Petroleum,refined ncases, 8 6b 8 75 Petroleum* sta'dard WhiteK, Vork 7.90 800 petroleum,st'd white PhUatielnbia 7.85 7.95 Petroleum .Pipe Line Certs Feb 170 170 Snir fca oi Turpentine J 32% 32 Lard .Wilcox's Spot 5.72% 5.67% fallow, Prime City 3% 3% near, toil refining Moscow os.. 3% 3% Do. 96Jp-c, Centrifugal 7% 3% Corn, New mixed, Western apt.. 34% 36 Corn futures Feb — 35 34% Corn futures May 31% 34% SpringWneat,No. l,spot. 69% 69 Whea red win. er, on hesruifc 70 ,4 70 Wbeat. deli veri Feb 681;. 68 Wheat, detivey May £ 6% Cotfee Bio No.7. 14 14 Coffee, Bio, No. 7, Low Ord Feb 13.30 13.30 o ee ditto" Aprl dellv 13.00 13.00 Flour. ex State.shipping brands.. 2.50 2.60 Iron,No. 2, Northern* 11.50 11.50 Tin, Australian < 13.10 13.15 Copper u 10.00 10.00 SteelBails < 28 28 Freight GrWn Liverpool steam is 3%4 3d Freght.QfainaceaNn aL ndon 3%d d Freig Cotton to Liv pool. Silver Bullion 67 66% Wheat, Chica o, Feb deli very. 56% 56% Co n, Chicago, Feb delivery 26% 26 19 /&9 >'u_.

NORTH GLAMORGAN CONGRE- GATIONAL ASSOCIATION. QUARTERLYMEETING AT MERTHYR. The quarterly meeting of the above association was held 011 Monday and Tuesday at Salem Chapel, Merthyr, the Rev. R. Thomas, Penrbiw- ceiber, in the chair. The other ministers and delegates present included Revs. D. Phillips. Treh arris; J. Grawys Jones (Ebenezer), Trecynon J. H. Hughes, Dowlais; W. S. Davies. LHvydcoed; D, Griffiths, Cwmdare J. D. Rees, Salom, Aberdare H. A. Davies, Cwmaman R. Thomas, Landore, Swansea; W. Wern Williams, Nebo T. Edmunds, Tabernacle, Hirwain R. O. Jones, Bedlinog D. Evans, Bargroed; P. W. Hough, Ynysgau, Merthyr B. D. Davies, Merthyr Vale D. Silyu Evans, Gladys, Aberdare J. A. Jenkins, B.A., Rfgistrai of the University Col. lege, Cardiff: J. D. Thomas, Pendarren; J. Thomas, Merthyr I. J. Evans, Penheolgerrig R. Trevor Jones, Dowlais J. Jones, Bethesda, "IW Merthyr J. W. Price, Troedyrhiw; J. C. Lloyd, Ynysybwl; W. Evans, Salem J. Sulgwyn Davies, Siloh, Aberdare; Jacob Thomas, Cefn W. M. Jones, Adulam, Mer. tbyr; Owen Jones, Mountain Ash Messrs James Davies and W. Bevan, Mountain Aih J. Rees, Tyrbeol Thomas Williams. J.P., Mertbyr D. Price (Gwydonfryn); J. Bowen, D. D. Williams. John Morgan, and Joseph Williams, Tyst a'r Dydd, Merthyr. On Monday evening the service was introduced by the Rev. P. W. Hough, and sermons preached by tho Revs. J. Sulgwyn Davies and D. Silyn Evans, Aberdare. On Tuesday morning the conference was held. It was then decided that the next meeting be held at Penderyn, the Rev. W. Evans, Salem, to preach on the given subject.—On the motion of the Rev. D. M. Davies, Cwmbach, seconded by the Rev. D. Silyn Evans, -,i resolution wasagreedto, urging upon churches in the association to prohibit marriages in the chapels without religious ceremony.—Rev. J. A. Jenkins, B.A., Cardiff, the registrar of the University College, attended the meeting as a deputation on behalf of the College to ask the support of the association to collect the L20,000 needed before July next to meet the gift of £10,000 given by the Drapers' Company, London, and £ 20,000 promised by the Govern. ment. Mr Jenkins mada an eloquent appeal to the brethren to do what they could.- A resolution was agreed to expressing deep regret that the united efforts of the European Powers, as far as ib is known, have been ineffectual to put an end to the atrocities in Armenia. A resolution was also passed and ordered to be sent to the Prime Minister, the Duke of Devonshire, and the Right Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, expressing strongest condemnation and determined opposition to the attempt made by the clerical party to seek to influence the Government to endow National schools by putting them in the same position as Board seliools.- In the afternoon the Rev. J. H. Hughes. Penywern, opened the meeting, and the Rev. R. Thomas, Laud ore, preached, after which the Rev. Owen Jones, Mountain Ash, read a paper on The Relations of Members and Hearers. "In the evening the Revs. H. P. Jenkins, Aberaman, and R. Thomas, Penrhiwceiber, preached.

RHONDDA VALLEYS CONGRE- GATIONAL UNION. The monthly meeting of the Congregational Union of Pontypridd and the Rhondda was held at Trerhondda Chapel, Ferndale, on Tuesday afternoon. The chair was occupied by Mr W. Davies, Tylorstown, and an excellent paper was read by the Rev. Hapa Evans, Maerdy, his subject being Denominational Educa- tion and Taxes." A discussion followed. A resolution was unanimously carried condemning the recent action of the majority of the members of the Ystradyfodwg School Board in reference to the Voluntary schools question, and another pro- tested against the application now being made by he supporters of Voluntary schools for increased grants without public control, and urging the Government to encourage the establishment of School Boards to be within thereach of all children in the country.

PILOTAGE SYSTEMS AT LLANELLY. AN IMPORTANT CHANGE. At a meeting of the Llanelly Harbour Com- missioners on Tuesday, Dr. Jones presiding, an applicants was read from Messrs Samuel that the captains of their steamers trading to Llanelly should be examined for pilot certificates entitling them to dispense with pilot services. Mr Guest said there was no justification for referring the applicants to the Board of Trade. It was an expensive method, and he did not see why the commissioners should not conduct the examina. tion themselves. Ho moved that in future the examination be held under the auspices of the commissioners. This was seconded and eventually carried, the examiners appointed being Mr Fowler and Captains T. Roberts and T. Jones.

NEW POST OFFICE BUILD- INGS FOR BARRY. PLANS TO BE SHORTLY PREPARED. It is contemplated by the directors of the City of Gloucester Bank Company to erect large premises at a spot situate between Thompson- street and Station-street, Barry Dùck, which will be sufficiently commodious for the dual purpose of a bank and post-office. It is well-known that the temporary premises used as a post office are occupied to their utmost capacity owing to the great increase of postal work in the locality, and additional premises will undoubtedly be required with a further growth of trade.

STRANGE CASE OF MRS GORDON. TRIAL AT OLD BAILEY. The trial commenced at Old Bailey on Tuesday of Ernest Crane, Henry Crane, James Hook, and Herbert Krahn, who are charged with inducing a lady, describing herself as the Hon. Mrs Winifred Gordon, to go to an empty house at Clap ham, where she alleges she was robbed of £1,700 1D money, a number of shares, and a quantity of valuable. jewellery. Evidence in the case has already been pubhshed. Prisoners were all defended by counsel. Mr Kemp, Q.O., who opened the case for the prosecution, said Mr3 Gordon was persuaded to go to the bouse to see a billiard table, but was simply stripped of her clothing and robbed. Henry Crane's defence was that he took back that which already be longed tohim. Counsel proceeded to call witnesses, and the case was adjourned.

'BUS TRAFFIC IN LONDON. Some idea of the enormous number of persons who travel by tramcar and omnibus may be gathered from the announcement that one of the London companies alone carried during the past six months passengers exceeding nine times the population of the Metropolis. Mr D. P. Sellar informed the shareholders of the London Tram- ways Company, at their half-yearly meeting, that their cars had conveyed no fewer than 46,877,769 persons in that period, over an aggregate distance of 4,170,274 miles, as against 44,165,344 passengers, and a mileage of 4,099,414 in the corresponding half of the preceding year. Still, in spite of these figures, it was only the low price of forage that enabled the directors to declare the usual dividend. Each horse had cost 4d a week more to feed than formerly, and they had .had 250 more to keep.

LAW AND "HUMOUR." Mrs Weldon had the worst of it in the Court ot Appeal 011 Monday. In an action against a Mr and Mrs Faithful, she had described the husband "as son of a washerwoman" and the wife a "nursery girl." A Judge in Chambers struck these descriptions out of the statement of claim, and on appeal the Court confirmed his sensible act. Mrs Weldon has thus added to her consum- mate knowledge of law that there is no room for humour or any other sentiment save hard fact in legal papers.

FATAL AFFRAY IN IRELAND. A FARMER ARRESTED. Another fatal affray was reported on Tuesday in the north of Ireland. A few evenings ago, at a ball held near Tempolo, Fermanagh, several young men quarrelled about a girl, and a farmer named McDonagh, in attempting the role of peacemaker, was knocked down. Getting up. it is alleged, he struck a young fellow named Murphy on the head with a stone. On Sunday Murphy became unconscious, and died on Monday from injuries sustained during the quarrel. McDonagh has been arrested.

TUESDAY NIGHT'S GAZETTE. RECEIVING ORDERS. Wm. P. Vaughan Lewis, Aberaman, Aberdare, boot makeT. Robert Harry, of Dynas Powis, Glamorganshire, farmer, and Barry Dock, restaurant keeper.

GLAMORGANSHIRE LADIES' GOLF CLUB. The club cup competition was played on Monday over two rounds of the nine-hole course. The results were:-Miss Young, 138. 26-112; Miss E. Young, 135, 20—115 Mrs Ewens, 162, 32-130; Mrs Flint, 157, 18—139 Miss Beasley, 196, 50-146; Mrs Renwick, 200. 48-152; Mrs Arnold. 203, 50—153 Miss Strawson, 223, 44— 179; Miss E. Ingledew, 229, 42—187. Miss Xogledew and Miss Jayne retired. I

The Princess of Wales, Duke of York, and Princess Maud returned to Sandringham from Windsor last evening. A telegram from Valparaiso states that the Chilian Government intends to ask European bankers for an advance of two millions sterling pending the removal of the obstacles in the way of the launching of the projected loan of four millions. THE most marvellous pennyworth of news any fiction published is to be found in the Cardiff Times and South Wales Weekly New. All the best and fore- most novelists of the day have contributed: to its :WJØItt."

MONMOUTHSHIRE HUNT BALL. The annual fancy dress ball, held in connection1 with the Monmouthshire Hunt, which alternates between Newport, Monmouth, and Abergavenny, and which is the chief social event of the festive season in the country, was held at the King's Head Hotel, Newport, on Tuesday, and was 1 attended by the elite of the county. The ball- room was charmingly decorated. The three sides j"of the room were decorated with red, white, and blue, while the far end was profuse with the colours of Lord Tredegar-the famous black and amber. The mirrors were bung with curtains and bunting, and foxes heads were placed at intervals. Festoons of evergreens, adorned with fairy and Japanese lamps, and strings of pennants were hung across the room, which, lighted by incandescent lights and the I many coloured lamps, presented a dazzling appearance. The supper-room, hall, and stairs were also tastefully decorated with rich curtains, flags. and plants. The music was provided by the band of the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars (Yeomanry). Mr Riginald Herbert and Mrs Arthur Evans opened the ball shortly after 10 o'clock, and dancing was kept up until this morn- ing was far advanced. The stewards were Lord Tredegar, Captain Bandsman, Messrs R. Herbert, J. Moxon, and Arthur Evans. The following is a list of those present :— Lord Tredegar, Vicountess Hereford, Court dress, time of Queen Victoria Hon. Eleanor Devereux, Eleanora, wife of 10th Viscount Hereford Hon. liosamoncl Devereux, Mia Rosa Senza SpinaHon. Lilian Devereux, La Marquise Colonel Hon. F. C. Morgan, M.P. M.H.C. Hon. Arthur Morgan, Captain Mundy, Beikeley Hunt Mrs Mundy, Lady Rooney, 1753 Colonel Mansel, Major and Mrs Fulton, Captain Smeaton, R.A., Captain Lon. Captain Jenour, Cap- tain Sandeiran, Lieut. Cirepe, U. A,, Surgeon-Lieut. F. Kiddle, A.M S., Mr Frederic Morgan, Bullingdon Club Dr. Elme Steel. Dr. \V. E. Murphy, 3rd V.D. S.W.B.. and Mrs Murphy Dr. 0. E. B. Marsh, i Mrs Marsh, heartsease Mr D. W. Jenkins, Windsor { uniform Miss E. Boulton, Poudre Miss Boultoii, ) Miss George, Mr J. C. R. Brewer Mr H. E. ) Dunning, "Nlr P. feLaybourne, Monmouthshire Ilunt Mr J. Moxon, Monmouthshire Hunt Mrs Moxon. Miss Miller, Mrs Yovath, Miss 1. Prothero, Violettes Glncies Miss Prothero, Mr Le Brasseur, Monmouthshire Hunt Mr Gubbins, Miss H. CuJlum, music Mrs Miller, A hunting we will go" Mr C. W. E. Marsii, Mrs Marsh, £ s d Mr R. Herbert, Mrs Le Brasseur, Poudre; Mrs Bosanquet, Poudre Mr B. C. H. C. Jones, 2nd Volunteer Battalion S. W.B. Mr Workman, Mrs and Miss Justice, Mr T. V. Taylor, uniform Mr F. Prothero, white uniform Mr Bosanquet, Monmouthshire Hunt Mr H. S. Lyne, captain Fire Brigocie Mrs H. S. Lyne, Mrs Clarice Phillips, Miss Mansel, Zukika Mi W. Smith, Monmouthshire Hunt; Miss K. Clarke Jones, Bo Peep Miss A. C. Jones. great grandmamma's wedding dress Mr R. W. T. Laybourno, Jack Point; Mr It. Laybourne, Monmouthshire Hunt; Miss R. Laybourne, Little Miss Nluflet Mr A. H. Laybourne, 4th V. B. South Wales Borderers Miss Laybourne, Mehalah Mr H. Clarke-Jones, Gondolier Mrs A. Clarke-Jones, Stuart Period Mrs Morris, Poudre Miss Morris, Hypatia Miss Baylis, Miss M. Cook, Miss C. Cook, Mi P. Baylis, Mr A. Evans, Monmouthshire Hunt Mr C. R. Lyne, uniform lieuteuaut-colonel 1st Worcester A.Y. Mrs C. R. Lyne, black and white Mr T. G. Cartwright, M.H.C. Miss Carfcwright, Poudre; Mr B. W. Smith, Mr Yorath, mess uniform; Mrs Dutton, Miss M. Gaskoin, Poudre Miss Dutton, Pierrette; Mr J. E. Ward, M.H.C. Mrs Ward, Poudre Mr H. R. Ward, Huguenot Miss Seddon, Pompadour Miss R. M. Seddon, her great grandmother Mr E. Heddon. Mr Hornby, cook Mrs Hornby, Poudre Mis3 G. E. Cullum, magpie Mr and Mrs Pullines, Mr A. C. Jones, Court dress Miss Owen, Poudre Mrs A. Evans, French marquise Mr T. M. Phillips, Cerulean Miss Steer, Hemietttl. Maria"; Mr Vachell, Mrs Vachell. Poudre MrS. A. Phillips, Mr R. Colquhoun, Mr R. Jones, Miss Lyne, 13th century Mr Steer, Mr Tonks, Norwegian peasaint Mrs Steer, Mr Muller, Miss Jenkins, Pierrette Mrs Jenkins, Marie Stuart Mr.' M. Allen, naval uniform Mr R. W. Taylor- Charles, Surface costume Miss Clay, Poudre Miss Coward. 1837 costume; Mr Philip Baylis, H-Al, Dep. Surveyor Royal Forest of Dean Mrs Philip Baylis, Poudre Miss Beynon and Miss E. Beynon, Poudre Miss Eva Beynon, Marquise de Merivale Miss Jenour, Gitana Mr J. W. Beynon, Mon. Hunt; Mr and Mrs W. F. Dawson, evening costume 18th century Mr W. M. Goodwyn, 2nd Devon Regiment Lieut. W. J. Fowler, R.A.. Mr G. B. T. Nicholl, courtier time of Francois U. Mr Alf, Williams Mrs Alf. Williams, Poudre.

■ ■ IU ■■ HI I THE REV. PEDR WILLIAMS. NOW OUT OF DANGER. There is happily no ground for the alarmist report which was circulated by a religious paper last Saturday that the condition of the Rev. Pedr Williams, the pastor of the Lower Clapton Congregational Church, would necessitate another serious operation. As a matter of fact, since the first operation just "before Christmas the rev. gentleman has slowly, but steadily, progressed towards recovery.

SOUTH WALES COAL CONTRACTS. LARGE GOVERNMENT CONTRACT. We understand that in case of emergency the Admiralty have invited tenders for the supply of an additional 100,000 tons of first-class Cardiff coal.

GUNBOAT IN COLLISION OFF PLYMOUTH. A collision occurred on Tuesday in Plymouth Sound between the Brixham trawler Promise and H.M. gunboat Bulldog. The trawler was proceeding to the fishing grounds, and when near the breakwater the gunboat, conveying liberty men from H.M. Blake, attempbed to cross her bows. The Bulldog's davits were carried away by the trawler's bowsprit, while the stem, of the latter was also carried away. The crew of the trawler shouted to the Bulldog when within a few yards, and the course was altered, but too late to avoid collision. The force of the collision threw the trawler's crew violently on deck, and one had an arm hurt. The Promise was towed to harbour by a tng.

ACCIDENTS AT CARDIFF. FATALITY AT THR NEW POST OFFICE. An inquest was held at the Cardiff Infirmary on Tuesday evening—before Mr Coroner E. B, Reece—touching the death of Augustus Pask, aged 51, of 3, Coppar-strees, Roath, who died in the Infirmary on Sunday morning from injuries sustained on the 21sb December last. Deceased was a carpenter, and while engaged on a scaffold at the Post Office now in course of erection in Westgate-streer, the scaffold gave way and be was precipitated to the ground, a distance ot 15 feet. He received a fracture of the skull which injured his brain, and he also received a fracture of one of the bones in his left side, to which he succumbed. A verdict of Accidental death was recorded. FATAL CAB ACCIDENT. Ab the same court an inquiry was beld concern- ing the death of Julia Warner, alias Annie Cooper, aged 40, who died at the Infirmary on Monday morning from the effects of injuries received the previous evening. Deceased, who had no fixed abode, was knocked down by a horse n.nd cab on the Rumney-road, near Cardiff, and sustained fractures to her ribs on each side of the body. She also had a cub on her head and other internal injuries. The jury returned a verdicb of "Accidental death." v-

SAD BOATING ACCIDENT. TWO FISHERMEN DROWNED. Intelligence has reached Queenstown from Fort Carlisle that a sad fatality occurred in the harbour close to the fort on Tuesday morning by the capsizing of a four-oared fishing yawl, two of the four occupants of the boat being drowned, The yawl was manned by tour fishermen named John Maguire, James Olden, Tom Mahoney, and P. Fitzgerald, who were engaged in fishing during the night. A strong north-westerly gale sprung up, and at abaut 2 a.m., when opposite Fort Carlisle, the boat was capsized and the four men leftstruggling 10 the boisterous sea. Mahoney and Fitzgerald succeeded in reaching the shore in a very exhausted state, but Maguire and Olden were drowned.

LLANDAFF DEANERY The members of this Deanery met at Llandaff I on Tuesday, under the presidency of the Rev. J. R. Buckley, rural dean. A paper cn Church I Reform" was read by the Rev. J. Pritchard Hughes, vicar of Llantrisant. An interesting discussion followed, in which the Revs. J. Owen Evans, T. Tissington, R. E. Rowlands, and the Rural Dean took part. The clergy were enter- tained at lunch by the Rural Dean.

FREEMASONRY AT LLANELLY. The annual meeting of the Prince of Wales Lodge, Llanelly, was held on Monday, when Bro. Thomas Hughes was installed as Worshipful Master. Pro. W. Buckley Roderick, the Senior Warden, performed the ceremony in the presence of a large number of brethren. The new Worshipful Master appointed the following as his officers for the vear :—Bro. Jeremiah Williams, S.W. Bro. J. G. Daw, J.W. Bro. J. Bevan Phillips, P.M., P.P.G.S.W., Treasurer Bro. J. Popkin Morgan, Chaplain Bro. J. Hall Gale, Secretary Bro. R. J. Edmunds, S.D. Bro. George Mercer, J.D. Bro. R. Margrave, P.M., P.P.G.S.W., D.C. Bro. T. J. Williams, I.G. Bro. D. R. Williams, Organist; Bro. Gaven Henry, Steward; Bro. John Thomas, Tyler. The installation ceremony being over, the brethren sat down to the usual banquet, when, in addition to those mentioned above, there were present Brothers Robert Margrave, P.M., P.P.G.S.W. Aaron Stone, P.M., C.C., West Division W. Bowen, P.M. C. S. Read. P.M. E. S. Norric, P-M- W. H. Cox, P.M. John Bourne, P.M. D. W. Rees, P.M. J. L. Thomas, P.M., P.G.&p.» C.S., West Division U. M. Collins, P.M. Rev. T. Davies, P.M. S. Phillips, R.W. Davies, D. Davies, J. L. Davies, T. Jones, J. Randell, A. P. Lewis, and others. In the course of the evening Bro. J. L. Thomas, the Charity Steward for the West Division of South Wales, announced that he had received nearly 250 from the brethren present towards the Masonic Institution for Girls.

In the French Senate yesterday, M. Poincare was elected Vice-President. A second ballot will be necessary for the election of the three other Vice-Presidents. The question of the revision of the cotton duties will be dealt with by the Indian Legisla- JiifQ Cwji<jU on Thursdayuexfc, J

CARDIFF. PROVIDENT DISPENSARY.—Statement for the week ending 11th January, 1896 :—Number o! attendances at the dispensary, with medicine supplied, 429 number of visits paid by tlu medical staff at patien ts' own homes, 115; numbet admitted during the week, 7. Applications for membership to be made to Mr J. Bargery, at the dispensary, any day in the week from 9 a.m. till 18 p.m., except Wednesday, when the dispensary closes at 4 p, in. CHAMBER CONCERTS.—The second of the series of chamber concerts, inaugurated by Mr Arthur Angle, will take place in the Lesser Park Hall to-night, and judging from the programme, which contains Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata" and the string quartet in G major Schubert's variation* on the theme" Death and the Maidens"; Men- delssohn's pianoforte trio in D minor and the sonata for pianoforte and 'cello by Rubinstein, the high standard of the previous concert will be well maintained. It will be interesting to note that the string quartet party on this occasion has been drawn solely from Cardiff, this being, we believe, the first time such an attempt has been made on the same scale. The vocalist—Mdme. Robiolio (from the Royal Italian Opera)—is new to Cardiff audiences; but judging from the critiques of the London Press a treat is waiting fcr those who are so fortunate as to hear this gifted lady. LOXGCEOSS-STREET CHAPEL.Alime-light lecture will be delivered this evening at the above place by the Rev. W. T. Lee, the pastor. Further particulars will ba found in the advertising columns. POLICE CONSTABLE INJURED.—P.C. Branton, of the Cardiff Police, bad an unpleasant experience on Tuesday afternoon. He was on duty in Westgate-streeb shortly after 1 o'clock when he noticed a horse and cab careering along at a furious pace in the direction of Castle-street. He ran after it and succeeded in catching the bridle, but he was lifted off his feet and thrown under the horse, and was dragged along the ground, sustaining injuries to his legs and head. TRADESMEN'S FANCY DRESS BALL. — Mrs Melville acknowledges gratefully the receipt of the proceeds— £ 22 lis 7d—per Mr F. H. Stander. NEW HOSPITAL AT ELY SCHOOLS.—The new hospital at Ely Schools, which has just been completed, was formally handed over to the Cardiff Guardians at a meeting of.. the Build- ing Committee at the Ely Schools on Tuesday afternoon. ACCIDEKT AT THE DOCKS,—A labourer named MacklaureJ was admitted into the Cardiff In- firmary on Tuesday suffering from injuries to his head. TRAM EMPLOYEES' DINNER.—The sixth annual employees' dinner of the Cardiff Tramways Com- pany, Limited, was held ab Barry's Hotel on Tuesday evening. Mr R. B. Goodver presided, and was supported by Dr. Moir (the veterinary surgeon), Mr Buckingham, Mr Richardson (head inspector), and MrT. Beames (traffic clerk). The Chairman read a lettor from the late Captain Pomeroy, which was received on Saturday last, regretting inability to attend, Feeling reference was made by the Chairman to the captain's sudden demise, and a resolution of, sympathy waa carried in silence.

SWANSEA. DEATH OF A LOCAL MINisTER.-NVe regreb to record the death on Tuesday of the Rev. William Jones, pastor of Clydach-road English Baptist Chapel, Morriston. Deteased, who for many years had been minister of Ainon Chapel, had been ailing for some time.

BRECON. TOWN COUNCIL.—At Tuesday's meeting of this Council a general district rate for the ensuing half-year of Is 6d in the £ for St. David's, and Is 7%d in the £ for Sc. John's and St. Mary's parishes was agreed to..Mr Philip Morgan was unanimously re-elected as the Council's repre- sentative on the Council of Brecon District School Managers, under the Breconahire Intermediate Education scheme.

RHONDDA VALLEY. CLAIM BY THE WATER COMPANY.—ATR the Ystrad County Court on Ttiesday-beforehis Honour Judge Gvvilym Williams—the Ystrad Gas and Water Company summoned the Co- operative Stores, Treorky,.for payment for 50,000 cubic feet of water, alleged to have been supplied to their slaughterhouse at Treorky. Judgmeub was given for the defendants.

PORTHCAWL. ATINISTERTAL. -Mr J. A. Jones,* of-the Cardiff Baptist College, has received an uuanimousea11 to the Baptist Church, Portbcawl.

CWMBRAN. 1 MINISTERIAL. -Mr T. M. Rees, Ma.rdy,;or'.wa:. Memorial College, Brecon, has been unanimously invited to the pastorate of Ehm English Congregational Church, Cwmbran, near Newport.

"USK. MINTSTEBIAL.—Mr Robinson, of the Caidif Baptist College, has received an enthusiastio calf to the pastorate of the Baptist Church, Uskj, Monmouthshire. Mr Robinson is the son of the Rev. H, B. Robinson, F.R.G.S., of Pontypool,

HAFOD. CO.VCEPT.-On Monday evening the annu--t concert for th& benefit at tha Hafod branelouoi, the Pontypridd Free Library was held at the; Board schools. The attendance was large, and the following took part :-The Hafod Rechabite Brass Band, the Hafod Glee Society. Llew Hafod, Llew Llan, Mr David Evans, Navigation Schools; violinist, David John Isaac, Hafod 6- elocutionist, Evan Evans: accompanist, Mv Edward Evans, Hafod. In the unavoidably absence of Alderman Walter H. Morgan, fth« chair was occupied by Mr Morgan Morgans [ Pontypridd.

CARDIFF. A YOUTHFUL SHOPLIFTER.—William (Urdi who has a bakehouse at the back of 50, Clive-street, Grangetown, missed four box of sweets of the value of 12s some time between the 9th and 12th inat., and communicated with, the police. The matter was placed in the hand. of Detective Victor Kellett, who traced some of. the missing property to the residence of Charles Tomlinson, a boy of 14 years. Upon searching the house the detective found in the boy's bed room between the mattresses the top of one of the boxes and a piece of card<l' board containing the words, Wondel stick, four a penny." In the bathroom he also found the box of sweets (produced). He then took prisoner, who admitted stealing three boxes, into custody. The boy was brought before Councillor W. J. Trounce, Councillor E. Beavan, and Dr. Mullin, sitting at Cardiff Police Court on Tuesday, and after being severely repri< manded was allowed to go. on his mothei becoming surety for his future good behaviour in ewm£ THE DRINK AGAIN.-Louisa Jenkins pleaded guUty to stealing a silk handkerchief front 144, Clifton-street. the property of Thomas THE DRINK AGAIN.—Louisa Jenkins pleaded guilty to stealing a silk handkerchief front 144, Clifton-street, the property of Thomas Morgan, on the 11th inst., and was fined 53 and costs, or seven days' imprisonment) Prisoner said she committed the offence when i* drink. JUVKNILR DEPBAVITY.-P.C. George Yoone, on duty early on Tuesday morning in PenartE* road, found sleeping in a cart on a waste piece of ground Geo Wilson (11), James Murphy (11), and John Kennedy(12). The officer arrested them and they werenow broughtbefore the magistrates. The Bench could not conceive bow parents were unable to control children of such tender years, but on their undertaking to keep careful watch over them in the future allowed them to go. THE SOCIAL EVIL.—Margaret Martin (29? was charged on a warrant with assisting in the management of a brothel at No. 16, Angelina- street on the 14tli inst. P.C. Petheram havior given evidence, the magistrates mulcted prisoner in a penalty of 20s and costs, or 14 days'imprison' ment. with hard labour. WANTED TO ATTEND THE FUNERAL. My mother's dead, and I hope you will let me o to attend the funeral this afternoon," (øaid Edward Leary to the magistrates on Tuesday morning. He was charged with being drunk in Broadway on the 13th inst., and it being his first appearance the Bench gave him the opportunity he asked for by discharging him, at the same time expressing their sorrow at his mother's demise.

SWANSEA. WARNING TO PUBLICANS.—At the Swansea Pohce Court on Tuesday, M«S Sarah Harris, of the King's Head Inn, Oxford-street, was summoned for failing to paint over the door of her house the words showing for what and the number of days tor which the bouse was licensed. A fine of Is and costs was imposed.-Similm fines for like omissions were imposed on Thomas Henry Morris, Queen's Arms, and Gwenlllan Jones, Coach and Horses.

BARRY DOCK. ALLEGED THEFT.—At an occasional Conrt held at Barry Dock Police Offices- before Mr John Lowdon—a marine fireman named John Williami was brought up in custody charged with stealing a ooat from outside the shop of Mr Buckland, clothier, Holton-road. Prisoner was remanded in custody until Friday next.

ORGANISATION OF MINERS IN SOUTH WALES. BALLOTING AT ONE OF THE OCEAN COLLIERIES. Our Rhondda correspondent writes — Tht workmen employed at the Mamdy Colliery (Ocean), Ton, balloted on Tuesday as to whether they should join the Amalgamated Society of Miners of South Wales or ttip. Cambrian Associa* tion of Miners, of which Mr W. Abraham, M.P., and Mr W. Evans are the agents. For joining the-Amalgamated Society there were 277 fo* joining the Cambrian Association, 525.

Sir Michael Hicks-Beach reached the Treastttf ab 5 o'clock yesterday evening on his return fron* Netheravon, Salisbury. -4>-

o,oo ffiaie for glassiticatialt. GROCERY.—Wanted a Young Man to assist counter and drive out. Good reference. Davies, Grocer, Pontygwaith, near Ferndale. WANTED a General Servant; respectable per W understand plain cooking.-Apply Davies, 2, < anon-street, Aberdare. WANTED, Governess-Student. Lessons Violin, Piano, Drawing, Painting, French (preparation for all examinations).— Miss Payne, Cowbridge. GROCERY.—Wanted immediately, smart or Junior (indoors).—Apply, stating age, sjjrjj; BAd references!, to Rees, Boyil stoma. PoncycyBf*"

dated Mines. Since 1888 that company bad paid its:capital bac!* The nominal capital was four millions, wit* debentures of 3Va millions at the present price it stood at 18 millions. The property had paid on the average 25 per cent, per annum. The directors had thought fit besides to create a t tremendous reserve capital. This year they had returned a dividend equalling 36 per cent. Wlth. these facts before them it was unnecessary for aim to say more than that they had the control of I' the diamond. He was nob there to champion the cause as a man who had done so much to develop South Africa and the Empire as Mr Rhodes, but he could not help saying that ( if it had not been for hioi South Africa would have taken another score of years to reach its present state of development, and he hoped that gentleman would again come prominently before the world. (Cheers.) Nor uld he help thinking itt that moment of another I dear friend of his, Dr. Jameson. (Renewed tr cheers.) They would not expect now a statement jf how the present troubles came about. They would, he hoped, be content with the assurance that the Corporations interested were all well guarded and preserved. He (Mr Barnato) knew little or nothing about the origin of the present political troubles in the Transvaal. If the inroad of Dr. Jameson into the Transvaal haibeen premeditated be believed that he (Mr Barnato) would have had some knowledge of it through his representatives. When he was last in the Trans- vaal there was no intention of trespassing on the Transvaal Goverment, though the Johannesburg oeople were labouring under many grievances. He could not help thinking that a population whioh paid 90 per cent. of the taxes ought to bave some voice in the adnnnistratioaof the coun- try. (Cheers.) Time and circumstances were at any rate on their side. (Hear, hear.) Referring next) to th" Jagersfontein asset, it paid, he said, something like 20 per cent., "ílrcducin as it did the best diamonds in South Africa. Summing up, he said the gold mining properties he represented produced nearly one- third of the whole production of the Transvaal. That being the case, could his bank be fairly described as a vehicle for Barnato's rubbish T' The diamond mining companies whioh he repre- sented bad, during the past 10 years, paid 12 millions of money in dividends, the gold mining sompanies had paid eight millions, and the trades \nd industrial companies had paid five millions. These together amounted to 25 millions in dividends. The shareholders could imagine the enormous future which was before such pro- perties. The major portion of this great sum 'jad been paid to British Ministers. Besides the flood done to them, these mining enterprises had encouraged labour and industrial manufactures by creating a market in South Africa and an outlet for our ever-increasing population. All this had originated out of the great Cape Colony. Without the enterprise of the o!d English blood in the old Enerlish Colony South Africa would to-day have been 5Qsyears behind its present development. They had just passed through an unprecedented crisis in the iinancial world. In South Africa the depreciation in values had been something like 120 or 130 millions within the last six months. Is was largely due to political troubles, tirst to the events in the East of Europe, next to the Venezuelan affair, and then to the conflict in the Transvaal itself. He consequently objected to being held up as the cause of the fall in the South African Market. Though the securities in that market bad altogether fallen something like 50 per cent., his securities had fallen less in proportion than any others. (Cheers.) Even in the present depressed market, if he were io realise the assets of this bank, they would, irrespective of the various options, show close on £ 500,000 profit, or 20 per cent. on the capital. That was the best answer to those who attacked I '¡he assets of the Barnato Bank. It was not a corporation directed by one man. He had men of pi.tal. experience, and intelligence as colleagues. He might mention that he had given the company, aucalled for, assets that were worth one million I over what he had promised. (Cheers.) There was then no cause for anxiety, notwith- standing what had occurred in the Transvaal. The gold was there. No earthquake had occurred at the mines. His position was as good as before, He hoped to spend the rest of his life in England, I and it was not liksly that he was coming here to destroy the labour of 22 years in South Africa. Tbere were no founders shares or preference j ihares in the corporation. They all shared and | shared alike. He had stood loyally by the company. He was their guardian and trustee, and would do all he could for the property. Cheers. ) A gentleman in the body of the hall shouted out that he wanted to put some questions, but no heed was paid to him, and a vote of thanks to Mr Barnato and confidence in the management was proposed by Mr Mills, seconded by Mr Lawrence, carried and acknowledged, and then the meeting abruptly terminated.