South Wales Daily News

TO-DAY'S CONFER- ENCE AT CABDIFE. POINTS FOR DECISION. CONCILIATOR MAY ATTEND. An important conference of delegates repre- senting the collieries in South Wales and Mon- mouthshire will be held at the Cory Hall, Cardiff, the proceedings commencing at half-past 10. The object of the meeting is to receive the Provisional Committee's report of the last joint meeting with the Employers' Emergency Committee, and to eonsider what policy to pursue consequent upon the rejection of Sir Edward Fry's proffered services by the employers, and their refusal to agree to the appointment of an umpire upon the lines suggested by the Conciliator and the Provisional Committee. The workmen at the various collieries held meetings last week to instruct their delegates upon the questions that will be considered at to-day's conferences. Three of the are of vital importance to the employers and the workmen, and the continuance of the struggle will depend very largely upon the decision of the conference. The disagreement that exists not only among the members of the Provisional Committee, but also the workmen as to whether they should demand the appointment of an umpire and a minimum that will give them a living wage together, or whether one should be dropped for a time and the other proceeded with, will probably be settled. Theae are two of the questions, and the other is naturally as to whether a Sliding Scale with a minimam is to bs the regulator of wages in the future. If one of the demands is -to be dropped it is pretty certain, judging from the feeling among the leaders of the men, that it will not be that of a minimum. Intense feellng prevails both among the workmen and their leaders against a Sliding Scale as a wage regulator unless the agreement contains a fair and reasonable minimum, and the decision of the conference upon important matters which will be placed before it is being eagerly awaited by the miners and the public, It is quite probable that Sir Edward Fry will attend the conference to-day. SIR EDWARD FRY AND THE MINERS. One of our reporters on Friday spoke to some of the members of the Provisional Committee and elicited that Sir Edward and the committee had discussed the present condition of things at considerable length. The workmen's representa- tives entered fully into the proceedings between them and the employers on Saturday, and ex- plained to Sir Edward the inaccuracies and mis- representations contained in the official report of the proceedings furnished by Mr Dalziel on be- haliof the employers. The members expressed general regret that Sir Edward's services—the general regret that Sir Edward's services—the value of which they warmly acknowledge—had been made of no avail by the resolute and un- bending attitude-of the employers, and pointed out that the public would now clearly see that the employers and not the workmen had been the stumbling block to a settlement. After Sir Edward and the committee separated Mabon and two of his colleagues, as a result of a consulta- tion with the committee, afterwards returned to the Conciliator, and suggested that some use- ful purpose might be served if he personally con- vened a joint meeting of the Emergency Com- mittee and the Provisional Committee, he him- self being present. Sir Edward however did not think that such a meeting could be brought about in view of the definite declaration which had been made by Sir W. T. Lewis" to himself last Saturday that the employers would not fsrrait a third Party to intervene. Whilst Sir dward and the committee were together one of the committee in explaining what had transpired between the employers and the workmen's re- presentatives stated that Sir Wiliam had declared at the employers would not agree to the in- tervention of an outsider, even if he were an angel." This appeared to tickle Sir Edward, who jocularly replied that he didn't think an I angel "could act as an umpire. Before Mabon 3tnd his two colleagues finally left Sir Edward we are informed that he had been considering whether he would attend the delegates' con- ference to-day at Cardiff. He did not de- finitely state that he would do so, but there is no doubt that the workmen and their representatives would be greatly pleased to see him present.

DEFINITIONS. TO THE EDITOR. Sm,What is a minimum ? '8ih umpire ? Coalowners can only afford to pasy a minimum rate of wages so long as the selling price does not go below a certain figure. Why should not that figure be fixed now with the understanding that on any decrease in the sell- ing price then either the collieries must be closed or the colliers must accept lower wages ? Coal- owners cannot submit questions of policy to an umpire, nor allow their business to be directed or controlled by him. But it might be useful to appoint a skilled official of the Board of Trade as an arbitrator, to whom questions of fact should be submitted in case of a difference of opinion be- tween masters and men. Thus might the sacred shibboleths of u mini- mum and umpire be swallowed by both parties, and the peace attained for which all are longing.-I a* &c, REASON.

MABON AND A MINIMUM. TO THE EDITOR. __I notice in the South Wales Daily Nevut, of this morning the report of a speech by Mabon at Llywnypia yesterday in which he says that the minimum would not be a fair one unless it was 20 per cent, above the standard wage, which is equi- valent to a net selling price of 10s 1-Tld to 10s .3-43d for all classes of coal from the lowest to the highest in the association. This means that the best qualities must never be sold at less than lis per ton free on board. What would have become of us during the last three years if collieries had refused to sell at less than lis ? Other coalfields would have been in full work and our collieries would have been stopped and our colliers idle. We have apparently very short memoriss. We have only to go back to the last half of last year when many owners of best coal stopped their pits rather than sell at less than 10s i.o.b-, with the result that thousands of colliers were on the verge of starvation and their families were supported by soup kitchens. If that is the result of a 10s standard, what would be the result of an lis standard ?—I am, &c., COAL. Cardiff, July 23,1898.

THE RUSSIAN PRESS. A RUSSIAN VIEW OF ENGLISH JINGOISM The'Novae Vremya of July 15 has an article on "English Jingoism," by Valentin Gorloff. The writer observes:- Often great masses of men think it necessary to spill blood without need. In that position was recently Italy. She wanted at any price an enemy, and it is even said that Crispi was ready to put an advertisement in the big papers offering a reward to whoever could find a suitable enemy for Italy but just at that moment he happened to quarrel with Abyssinia. A little bleeding done at Adua happily quietened the Italians, and now they are busily washing their dirty linen en famille. To take the place of Italy came another Power, ill with the same mania—England. Albion, who never distinguished herself by her amiability to other nations, dreams but of effusion of blood. Threatened by no one—except, perhaps, by Germany in her commercial rela tions— SHE DREAMS OF QUARRELS AND-STRIFES. It is a fact that there is no other Power which can make war with such facility and such insignifi- cant risks as England. On their island, inacces- sible to the enemy, English life m the time of war is pretty well the same as English life in the time of peace. In the hardest time of the war with Napoleon I. business in the City went on as usual. In her armies the people who die are not torn away from the bosom of their families, for generally they are single men enlisting willingly in the ranks, making of war a livelihood in which the risk of losing one's head is well weighed and calculated. When Albion declares war she always finds some idiots who march to the front and get the principal blows. Also the British Army is complemented with regiments of natives from India, Africa, &c.—in one word, to make war is nothing else for England but a costly sport. A statesman seeking popularity must abso lutely flatter this English frame of mind, hence one can easily explain the warlike transports of Mr Chamberlain. They endeavoured to deceive 0 Russian public opinion by saying that Chamber- lain was condemned by English public opinion. That is a lie invented perfidiously to lull our watchfulness and deceive us. Nothing is more popular in England than THE HATRED OF RUSSIA. As little children are taught in our country the Credo, so every young Englishman who has some respect for himself must know that whoever is not an Anglo-Saxon is an enemy, and that, above all, the Russians are hated, the French despised, &c. The whole English Press is in. spired with this frame of mind. Jehovah, god of thunder, god of fights, help us clamours Kipling in bis hymn before the fight (1897, on the occasion of the war with the Afridis), and this note rings throughout its whole literature while two years ago the same literature was devoted to the religion of beauty. One of the great literary reviews of England on February 23th of the same year says ;—" Explain as one can the change in our state of mind, we are become terribly elo- quent on this theme (war). Everywhere the country is echoing with war-songs and poetical appeals to arms." The man that took the lead in that kind of poetry was the late Tennyson, and now it is Rudyard Kipling. Recently a little book of his was published, Songs for England," dedicated to Field-Marshal Wolseley. It had an enormous success. And now there is a woman, Miss Nesbit, who in her SONGS OF LOVE AND EXPIRE," 1898), says 0, if the gods will give the balss,ill healing our sad and suffering century may they send to our eyes bloody visions, and to our ears the thunder of the canon, because bravery/honour, and fidelity grow together, in the same field where the bloody flowers are thriv- ing, and the balsam which can heal the nation must bubble with the enemy's biocd Are they not fine expressions for a Bliss ? I could fancy that this miss is so fervent because she could not find any husband, but it is not sc that is the common tone of all Anglo-Saxons. One of the critics of the Athenreum, (March 7), says The wish that England make war with whoever it may, in order not to get rusty, is Rci little politic as it is prudent." But that does not prevent the newspapers and t'ne public from admiring the verses of the warlike poet, Henry Nebald. The author's name is very little known, but in a few weeks ten editions of his little book were sold, and that merely because this collec- tion ot songs is called All the Admirals," and that those verses, according to the author's own opinion, breathed the bravery, the pride, the. intoxication sprung forth from the strength and ideal of war of England." George Cookson, who belongs to the posterity of Wordsworth, sings the same song. On our side it would be A CllnfE TO SHUT oun EYES TO THIS. No one thinks of provoking England, and we less I than others, but we must get informed. Let us observe that none of our interest requires war with England, and the true interests of England dictate her friendship with Russia. To the above article the editor of the Noroe Vremya appends the following note "In inserting the interesting article of our collaborator, V. Gorloff, on the symp oms of Jingoism in England, we think that such a frame of mind does not lead necessarily to a bloody end. A calculating nation gets excited through Jingism, under the hallucination that it sees in war some benefits, especially if it finds a stupid ally who will expose himself to trie principal blows. But in our time, how to find such an ally is very difficult. Still, such a nervous state, with prudent care, may be calmed by degrees, and the patient may be completely cured with cold douches and reasonable talks, Here we are able to quote an historical instance which may be very well applied to the present case. A hundred years ago English public opinion was strongly excited against Russia, and the Ministry was in favour of war, but our Ambassador, Woronzof, through his personal persuasion and action, suc- ceeded in changing the state of mind of society. The warlike Ministry accepted defeat and put their sword back in the sheath. A very instrue tive example I"

NEATH. COUNTY SCHOOL.—The following students of the Neath County School were successful in the recent London matriculat,on examination:- John Edwards (son of the Rev. James Edwards, Independent minister) in the first division and E. L. Strick (son of Mr J. H. Strick) in the second division.

TREORKY. MUSICAL SUCCESS.—We are pleased toannoonce the success of Mr J. T. Jones, R.A.M., Treorky, who at the lecent annual examinations in con- nection with the Royal Academy of Music secured the bronze medal for pianoforte playintr. Mr Jones acted in the capacity of accompanist to the Royal Treorky Male Choir up to his departure for the Academy; where during his twelve months' stay he has made wonderful progress.

BRIDGEND. CHARGE OF BUROLARY.—At Bridgend Pobtee Court on Saturday James Ryan and George Williams, labourers, were committed for trial on a charge of breaking and entering the dwelling- house of William David, fanner, Ogmore-next- Sea, and stealing therefrom a suit of clothes, a coat, two pairs of boots, &c. They were arrested at Neath by P.C. Evan Thomas, and were found to be wearing some of the missing articles.

MINERS' MEETINGS. BLAINA, A mass meeting of the Blaina and district colliery workmen was held at the Market Hall, Blaina, on Saturday evening. Alderman G. R. Harris presided.—Mr Alfred Onions said he was pleased to find that some of the coalowners and members of the Emer- gency Committee were prepared to admit the principle of a minimum wage. Mr M&claren had stated that he was in favour of conceding the principle, but the minimum he was prepared to advocate was too low from the workmen s stand- point. What the workmen rightly said to the employers was this Do not wait for circum- stances over which you have no contol to compel you to obtain a higher price for your coal, but mstead of using that powerful organisaation which you possess' for the purpose of fighting the workmen, use it, for the more beneficent and humane purpose of getting a better price for your coal, and consequently a higher rate of wages for your workmen." (Applause.) Notwith- standng &11 that had been said about foreign competition in this country, and especially in this coalfield, South Wales was securing a larger and larger hold on the coal trade of the world, and a larger share 11 the coal year by year exported from this country, and it was unfair and unjust to give that coal away at a price which brought wages down to starvation point. (Applause.)—Mr Evan Thomas said the question upon which the negotiations had been wrecked was that of an umpire, and the question occurred to him- Was there any other principle more vital to their interests ? la his opinion the principle of ft minimum wage rats was. (Applause.) He thought it would bs better to go solidly for a minimum wage-—The Blaina workmen have instructed their delegates to support a Concilia- tion Board, a minimum of 20 per cent., and an advance of 10 per cent. At a largely attended meeting of miners, held at Blaina Public Hall on Friday evening, Mr James Manning presiding, several speeches were made, in which the present position was explained. Messrs Manning, Prout, and Chard were selected as delegates for the Cardiff conference to-day, and were instructed not to vote for a Sliding Scale, only for a. Conciliation Board. A resolu- lution was. also carried calling on Sir William Harcourt, M.P., whose name was received with load applause, to again put the failure of negotia- tions before the House of Commons. PROPOSAL TO CALL OUT THE EN GlNEMEN. On Sunday afternoon a mass meeting of Ply- mouth, Cyfarthfa, and Dowlais Colliery work- men was held at the Union Tips, Merthyr. The meeting had not been called as usual by the Joint Committee, and there was some difficulty in finding a chairman. Eventually Mr W. Jeffreys was appointed chairman, and he read the terms of a motion which had bean handed to him to the effect that inasmuch as the employers had refused conciliation and a Conciliation Board, tbe Provisional Committee should be requested to call upon the ensrinemen, stokers, ana fitters to give notice to cease work. He advised the meeting not to peas any such a resolution, said by a large majority the proposition was nega- tived. CELYNEN. The Celynen Colliery workr/isri held a public meeting at Newbridge en Saturday evening, g under the presidency of Mr Philip Parry, check- weigher. On the report of the deputation who v'ted on the directorate in reference to the six tarns for five on the night shift for timbermen and labourers, it was accided to approach the directorate upon the matter at their first meeting after the termination of the coal trade crisis. The conduct of a number of the workmen who do not adhere to the decision derived at to contribute the full 30 per cent, advance towards the men affected by the dispute was condemned. The meeting decided to approach the manager and inform him that rmless every workman contri- buted his full percentage the men would stop work on Saturday and sail a general meeting. Messrs Edward "Blanch and J. Vaughan were deputed to Aifcend the Cardiff Conference to-day. LLANHILLF.TH. At ft vae-eit tve-iting ni lie Llanbilleth Colliery workmen Mr Kichotks Smith was chosen dele- gate to the cotifsrcnoe, and instructed to go in for a rninimuan ssad & umpire. It was also matdved that for tixj fcytere all men receiving strike ahocAcl raceivo tbe same in Crumlin and IifopluHtfth from 1 o'clock until 3 each Satur- day, sad sifter tfefa payment no other fetjucst be >sutRrtaine«i- OGMOP.K ALLEY. The :maorgrcoand rscrkraen of the Ogmore Valley Meeting fe t-Im Nantymoel School- jaon jwolvwd ci»riia'j«sly that they would have tubing to Co idlh the new terms posted on the r-Ü..tY.r.o.d, and lit" the straggle should be carried «vo anftl She employers are prepared to ao&sede » irijonrcin <?age and a Conciliation Board- TON AND BWLLF3A. On Saturday evening Ton and the Bwltfa Spce&oj workmen selected delegates to the Cardiff' Conference, with instructions not to press jar an umpire, but to adhere to the demand for a minimum wage of 20 percent. upon the standard of 1829. TBEHARRIS. Trabareir. workmen, on Friday evening, at the Board school, Mr William 3 ones in the chair, were addressed by Mr John Edwards and Mr T. Andrews, and unanimously resolved, That if the n*«t on having a Scaia, such Scale t L,w a mhsknwn, and there most be an ■smfHie." FENTBB. vaceti-ag of the Pteateee-COftjaty wwrk- aen on Saturday it was decided to approve adopting a Sliding Scale with a minimum of 10s ml ton selling price, and not to enforce the pro- |oni to have an umpire. A delegate was selected Gaidiff conference. A similar neeo- %Bon mm .awed at IIUMI Gaidiff conference. A similar neeo- %Bon mm ammed at IIUMI am 1', Wiftir Tynybedw Colliery, held at the same time, <bo £ b pits belonging to tne same company.

DISTRESS AND RFLMF. THE CENTRAL FUND. Messrs Alfred Onions, David Beynon, Dfcvid Morgan (Wattstown) and Lewis Miles were in attendance at Pontypridd on Saturday, the con- tributions reeeived being as follows :— iC a. d. Castle Colliery, Llanelly 5 0 0 Leicester and Leicestershire Amal- gamated Hosiery Union 20 0 0 Humphrey's Level, Aberdare 2 17 2 Glyn Neath Red Ash Colliery, Aber- sychan 6 0 0 Armsworth Lodge, Durham 5 0 0 Llanfawr Colliery, Llanelly 1 4 5 Glynea Colliery, Llanelly 23 0 0 Enginemen, Stokers, and Outside Fitters, Merthyr Vale Collieries 0 16 9 Pelsall Miners' Association 10 0 0 Drysiog Colliery, Ebbw Vale 010 0 Sinkers, Bedwelltv Pits 1 10 0 Layall Colliery, Wre3rham. 2 8 0 Blaencaegurwen Colliery H 18 9 Browny Lodge, Durham 7 10 9 Fife and Kinross Miners, Scotland 100 0 0 Ardwick Branch A-S-&& 100 Welsh Baptist Chapel, Bosfield-strset, Liverpool 3 0 0 Houghton Leigh Lodge, Durham 9 4 0 Havod, Bersh&m, and Vaoxhall Col- lieries, Rhos, Ruabon 27 10 9 Derbyshire Miners' Association 50 0 0 Tradesmen Gelli Steam Coal Colliery- 2 1 0 Clackmannaushire Miners' Association 20 0 0 Heyton Branch of the Boilermakers' and Shipmakers' Association 1 0 0 Waun Nantyglo, Colliery, Brynmawr- 66 18 0 Glyncoed Colliery, Dafen 4 5 6 Blaendare Pit Yardmen, Pontypool.. 0 17 0 London Society of Compositors 50 0 0 Seven Sisters Colliery, near Nesth.. 14 10 0 Proceeds of a tea and entertainment held at Llanwrtyd, per H. Howells-. 1 3 0, Employees of Parkman's Gas Meter W orks, London 1 13 E): Cwmraawr Colliery, Llanelly 2 11 6 H. E. Bradley, Openshaw 0 5 0 Grassmore Collieries, Derbyshire 3 1 3 Dudley Wood Lodge, Durham 5 3 0 Miners' Federation of Great Britain 600 0 0 Liverpool Trades Council 7 10 0 Joint Union of Operative Carpenters and Joiners 12 0 Denny Branch Scottish Central Association. 4 5 0 Bannockburn Branch Scottish Central Association 15 5 0 The following sums were received earlier in the week from Dunvant Colliery :—Miners, LIS 3s 3d; pumpmen, 12s. The Y,100 reported to have been received from the South Cambrian Colliery should have been from the South Rhondda, Col- liery, Garw Valley Association. ANOTHER LI,000 FROM THE C.W.S. The committee of the Co-operative Wholesale Society recommends that another £ 1,000 be voted to the South Wales Colliers' Relief Fund, and circular letters have been sent to the various societies in the kingdom asking for their approval of this. The society hasatready contributed £ 2,000. QUESTION OF THE MERTHYR STONE YARDS. On Saturday at the meeting of the Merthyr Board of Guardians, Mr Thomas Jenkins, J.P., presiding, the Clerk reported a debit balance at the bank of Y,4,267, and it was agreed that a cheque be drawn for S-500 for the pay clerk. The Clerk said he understood there was some doubt in the minds of some of the overseers in the various parishes forming the Union as to their liability to meet several calls which the board had issued. He would like to remind the overseers that they were under a penalty of £ 50, upon conviction, for not finding the money under the calls, and, secondly, that they were liable to have their goods seized to the amount of the call. The sooner the overseers faced the matter the better. Mr R. H. Rhys gave notice to move at the next meeting that the labour yards be closed. There were hundreds of men in receipt of relief. A deputa- tion from the stoae yards of Merthyr urged the board to allow stone breaking to go on at full time, and not at half time, as arranged. The Chairman, in reply to the deputation, said I suppose you have not considered where the money is to come from to pay you ?—Mr James Morgan Yes, we have. We feel that we shall later on pay our fair share.—Mr Peter Gardner, in reply to the chairman's repeated question, raised another question as to whether the board would not have to take care of himself, his wife, and family if they were obliged to come into the house.—The Chairman We shall be able to deal with your wife and children. The pits are open to yon, and it does not apply to yon. There is a resolu- tion, and I am sorry to tell you we cannot alter it, and I am afraid that in a week we shall have to close the yards altogether. On Sunday at a mass meeting of the Plymouth, Cyfarthfa, and Dowlais workmen on the Union Tips, Merthyr, the question of labour relief was further discussed, and it was decided that the men should go to the stonayards to-day in a body to demand full work. LABOURERS WANTED IN THE NORTH. Messrs. W. Jones and Walter Lewis addressed meetings during last week among the ship- wrights, boilermakers, and iron workers of Sunderland and the Hartlepools. The Wear Shipwrights' Provident Association unanimously decided to levy their members Is each. Mr T. McDonic, the general secretary, has been ener- getically assisting the Welsh representatives at their various meetings, and also Mr T. Summer- bell, the secretary of the Sundereland Trades Council. The trade on the Wear and Tyne is in a most flourishing condition. Some of the yards are practically at a standstill for the want of labourers, and the Welsh representatives are often asked why a number of the Welshmen do not- move North. MERTHYR. On Friday night the Merthyr Chamber of Trade unanimously passed a resolution protesting em- phatic illy against the expenditure on stoneyards, and the consequent" distribution of the rates to persons who are offered employment, bet decline to accept the same." EBBW VALE. A meeting of the Ebbw Vale RAW,Cominittee, was held at the Institute, Ebbw Vale, on Friday,, Mr Alfred .Tones in the chair. The secretaries reported that the following articles had been given to the committee for distribution :-4,000 loaves, 1,300 cabbages, a quantity of oat food, three sacks of peas, 561b of butter, 4501b of meat, 1501b of cheese, 24 dozen packets cocoa, 450 packets tea, and 42S5 2s 7d, which had been subscribed in money, had been spent in food. The Chairman stated that all the money, with the exception of £5 10s, had been exhausted, and I that 1,750 children had been fed almost daily for the past 12 weeks. The meeting decided to postpone further distribution until the funds m hand had increased. Subscriptions will be acknowledged by the secretaries, Mr Thomas Hughes and Mr John Thomas, District Cqutteil offices, Ebbw Vale.

SLIDING SCALE OR UMPIRE. TO TH71 EDITOR Sm,-I see that "ABC" has selected me to be his target in your issue of Saturday, and now he turns round to eulogise you, which may be a very suspicious proceeding. I have no need to call the attention of the South Wales miners to the letters of this person in your paper during this present lock-out, and how extremely unfair they are towards the work- men and they can judge from practical experi- ence that he is a paid man selected by the em- ployers to write any falsehood they may pay him for. He tries to impress on the reader's mma that I am greatly inconsistent in insisting upon conciliation and an arbitrator, while (as he puts it) I have been an extreme supporter of a Sliding Scale, and that I would not permit a dis- cussion of an umpire with a Scale. Now, air, I deny this tn toto and have no hesitation in say- ing that it is a deliberate untruth, which he ("ABC ") has been instructed by the em- ployers who pay him to say so. Every member of my colleagues knows that I have always advo- cated an umpire, and that this was the greatest weakness of the Scale and that this was my statement in my evidence before the Royal Labour Commissoners in London a few years ago. I wish to warn the South Wales miners of to-day not to be deluded by the feeble leaders who say that they would rather give up the umpire thaa give up the minimum. My reply is that it will be a disgrace to the miners of South Wales to give up either and I here solemnly state that I have not heard one of the members of the Provisional, Committee suggesting that we should give up the minimum. I do not wonder so much that "A B C" should feel my making use of the word swindlers." I have nothing to withdraw from mv statement re deductions from the audit and its effects. I am not responsible that no other member of the committee says nothing on tbe point. "ABC" says that I have opposed every arbitration award that has gone against me, and in the same breath he says that I have been unsuccessful in each case this is as good as to say (of course) that I have opposed everv award. Now, let me give the real facts to a Å B 0" and the public. If I remember rightly the first arbitration I had anything to do with was the treneral one in the South Wales coal trade in ?871, although I did not do anything aa a loader. But hundreds to-day can testily thai I did much to bring it aboat, and hundreds can state thatL did much to uphold the award. Since then r have acted as arbitrator or advocate in sash cases in the foHoneing pkwm:MMdle Duffryn. Lower Duffryn, Gwmamaa, Gadlys, Porthlwyn Love4 Nantmelyn, Hirwain, Lewis's Pit, Cwm- bach, Plymouth, and Nactmehm CoIlieriesJn my own district; and at Abergorkey, Porth, Llao- fcwifc Vardre, and Court Herbert outside mgr di& trict, and only at Nantmely Colliery alone did I emem the nun to oppose the ftTOld. TTllfl I did because I bad.no hesitation in saying that TOP** bad not takm tmfficjteot timet to look over his notes and figures, and after I and the late Mr Isaac Evans advised .the man to oppose the award the employers rgave the men an advance of 61 per cent:, j f instead of the 71 asked for, while the award gave ns nothing. The Hirwain award was opposed by > both employers and workmen and not by me, as it. • was fdnnd to be impracticable. 1. see that. 11 A B, C" Insinuates that I have some interests! in the collieries that are working at present when he asks whether I will advocate that the non- associated collieries should continue to work to make a pile of money if we will adopt the Federation policy. This is repeating the false insinuation that I have an interest in the Cambrian Collieries, Clydach Vale. which has been published in your contemporary by the same partes. This again is a. deliberate falsehood.—I arn, &c- D. MORGAN. Aberdare.

THE VOLUNTEERS. SEVERN BRIGADE AT PORTHCAWL CAMP. This camp is now over. The 3rd Glamorgan Rifle Volunteers left on Saturday. A special train conveyed them to Swansea, and they were seen off at the railway station by Brigadier- General H. B. Paton, who commands the Severn Brigade and who is extremely popular with the men. He was accorded three hearty cheers as the train left the station. About quarter past 8 on Sunday morning the tents were struck, and soon after 11 the remaining regiments-the Bristol Rifles, the 2nd and the 3rd Somerset Light I Infantry—started on their way homewards, leaving fatigue parties behind to look after the luggage, which will be conveyed back across Channel. The weather during the whole of the camping period, with the exception of one day, was all that could be desired. The brigade- major is LieuL-Col. C. Norman, and during the week Major Lord Aberdare acted as aide-de- camp. The Severn Brigade consists of all the regiments mentioned above, and also the 3rd V.B. Welsh Regiment. The latter did not go into camp this year owing to the coal strike; but they were represented by a Maxim gun section under the command of Lieutenants Gaskell, sons of Colonel Gaskell. On Thursday an inspection of the men in camp by Lieut.-General Sir Forestier-Walker took place on the brigade parade ground near the Rest. After a series of movements had been gone through, the Severn Brigade, which was supposed to be a brigade landed by an enemy to seize the railway and collect supplies, attacked a defending force con- sisting of one company of the 2nd Somerset, one company of the 3rd Somerset, one company o the 3rd Glamorgan, and a Maxim gun company under the command of Lieut. Gaskell, which had strong outposts at Pyle. The attacking force was repulsed. Sir Forestiec- Walker expressed himself as very pleased with the doings of the troops, and especially with the marching. On Friday the 3rd Somerset had their annual inspection by Colonel R. B. Cotton, commanding the 13th Regimental District. The battalion was put through several movements by Colonel Perm and Majors F. W. Pinney and E. Hyatt. The inspecting colonel expressed himself highly pleased at hearing no ncise what- himself highly pleased at hearing no ncise what- ever during the drill, and also with the drill itself. This battalion is so scattered that the annual inspection has always to be held in camp. On Thursday Captain Whitting, of this battalion was presented by Colonel Langworthy with the Queen's Jubilee Medal, he having represented the officers of the battalion at the Jubilee celebra- tions. Last Friday the troops were exercised in outpost duty, during which it rained in torrents, and they returned to camp wet through. There were only regimental parades on Saturday. THE CAMP AT EWENNY. The 2nd Volunteer Battalion South Wales Borderers, who during the week had been in camp at Ewenny, near Bridgend, were inspected early on Saturday morning by Colonel Browne, V.C., of Brecon. The accoutrements, etc., were closely exa mined, and there was the usual march past, subsequent to which the new attack and outpost duty were gone through. At the close Colonel Browne expressed great satisfaction with what he had seen, and commended the appearance of the men, especially as the night previous they had been subjected to a heavy downpour of rain. They were silent and steady on parade. In the afternoon the battalion marched to Bridgend Station, and lefte by special trains. The Tre- degar, Blackwood, and Pontymister Companies proceeded by the first, and the four Uskside and Chepstow Companies by the second. We under- stand that whilst marching over the downs one of the Chepstow men caught his foot in a rabbit hole and slightly injured his knee. ARTILLERY INSPECTION AT SWANSEA. Sir Edward Hill, K.C.B., M.P., commanding the Volunteer forces for the Western District, inspected the Swansea and Morriston detach- ments of the Glamorganshire Artillery at the Victoria Park, Swansea, on Saturday afternoon, when the various companies .mustered in great strength and went through their evolutions most satisfactorily.

BOATING FATALITY IN CARDIGAN BAY. On Saturday afternoon Mr Henry 0. Da vies, builder and contractor, and Mr David Davies, shipwright, but who for years was sailing as an A-B, went out to the bay in a pleasure boat for the purpose of fishing for mackerel and gurnet. The boat, which had sails, and was heavily ballasted boat, which had sails, and was heavily ballasted so as to carry as much sail as possible, was owued by the former, and had made a tack from the bay inland to a place under Kemes Head known as Alltygoed, when they ran into a calm, and when in the act of bringing the boat about, both men sitting on the same side, a puff of wind suddenly came from the opposite direction, which caused the boat to heel over and fill, throwing the occupants .into the water, where they struggled for life far some time unobserved. Both men, it appears, could swim well, but had they succeeded in reaching land, which was some 100 yards off, .w f it would have been impossible for them to reach a place of safety, the side of the headland being rocky and precipitous. Mr David Bewen, Cardigan,, who was also oat in the bay with his pleasure boat fishing, had some time previously noticed a sailing boat crossing the bar into; the bay and sailing about for some time. When putting his boat about Mr Bowen missed the other boat, which was some distance away, and thought he could see something like a mast projecting anglewise out of the water, and a blaek object, so he made as quickly as possible to the spot, where he found Mr Henry Davies floating in a semi-conscious state, ana, after a great effort, succeeded in haul- ing him into the boat and bringing him around. It transpired that Mr Henry Davies had been swimming aimlessly about for fifteen or twenty minutes, and the last he had seen of the other man was catching hold of the side of the boat. Before the rescuer came both Mr David Davies and the boat had dis- appeared in about seven fathoms of water. Deceased, who was about 45 years of age, leaves a wife and a family of six or eight children to mourn their loss. The body was recovered on Sonday morning entangled in the boafs ropes.

CHURCHES AND CHAPELS. The Celt, states that-the name of the Rev. R. Gwylfa Roberts, of Portdinorwic, the crowned bard of the Festiniog National Eisteddfod, is mentioned in connection with the vacant pas- torate of the Tabernacle Congregational Church, Llanelly, which is one of the largest churches of the denomination in the Principality. We understand that the Rev. Mr Evans, who has pro tem. acted as pastor of his native ehurch at Newport, Pem., has resolved to return to his work in India, where he has laboured for the past 42 years, and that he bopes-to leave for Bombay in November. The official report of-the Hymnal Committee of the Welsh Congregationalists has just been issued. It states that during the last year 14,350 copies of the Caniedydd Cynnlleidfaol," the new hymnal of the denomination, were sold inthis country and 724 in the United States, making the total number sold during the last two years and a half over 98,000. In connection with tbediacnseaononuIiituaKstic practices in the Church, M.P,- who pleads for simple services in the Guardian, mentions an iTrbaraatmg fact concerning the late Rev. A. H. MmAnnwiiift, of StAlban's, Holbom.of whom, he says, he was an intimate friend. Before his death Mr Maetonochie asked the writer to bearrecord to the fact that be'regretted the line be had taken beeause he then felt he had led others to attach an exaggerated importance to points of secondary importance, and be feired the result would be injurious to the Church." Mr Mackonochie was not given to making excuses for himself, or he might have pleaded that he was in some degree excused for attaching too much importance to comparative trifles by the importance which was allmbed to them by his opponents.

UNIVERSITY OF LONDON. UNIVERSITY OF LONDON. Tha following nttmaa woxe omitted from the list of successful indents in the London Univer- sity matriculation examination wt^ch wa pub- lished on Friday:— William R. Edwaatte, Cardiff Higher Grade SchooL Bdtoaxd PhJBxps, University College, Cardiff. Bowlaaid R. Pngh, Cazdiff Jziigher G-de School Gamer Leyshan., LWiy.loefcmediate and Technical School. I

THE BISLEY MEETING. WINNER OF THE QUEEN'S. PRIZE DISTRIBUTION, FMY OUR OWN COBKBEPaNDENT]*. BISLEY CAMP, Saturday Night. The splendid weather which we have enjoyed almost without variation throughout the shooting fortnight has remained with as to the closing day, for which there was a very full programme. The great event of the day was the contest for the Queen's Prize between the best hundred of the 1,800 Volunteers from all parts of the country who had stood all the tests of shooting at the short and middle ranges, and met at noon to-day -at 800 yards, the contest being continued in the afternoon at 900 and 1,000 ya-r" The principal event of the aorning was the shooting in the seeond and final stage of the St. George's at 800 yards. Great excitement pre- vailed when it was found that two Scotsmen had tied for the vase with a grand total of 116 points out of a possible 130. The two scores were made by Lance-Corporal Fleming, 4th Lanark-, and Private Guy, 1st Scottish Fusiliarc, thb former making 47 and the latter 48 at this range. On shootmg off for first prize both men again tied with 12 points, but at the next shot Guy made an inner and Fleming a bullseye, the latter thus winning the challenge vase, dragon cup, gold cross, and £ 30 as first prize, and Guy a silver cross and £ 25. Tbe following are the other leading winners :— £ 20 and bronze cross, Sergeant Glumart, 2nd V.B. Royal Fusiliers, score 113 tlO each and badges were won by Corporal Gutteridge, 1st V.B. Royal Fusiliers, and Staff-Sergeant Halliday, Argyll and Suther- land Highlanders, with 112 Private Burrows, 1st Notts, Sergeant Wyatt, 2nd Shropshire Light Infantry. Lieutenant Clemence, 1st Middlesex, Private Earley, 3rd Lanark, and Colour-Sergeant Aldridge, Guernsey, with 111 points. Ten men won badges and 49 each with scores down to 109; ten, XZ and badges, with scores down to 108 ten, badges and P,7, down to 106; ten, badges and X6, down to 104. There were, for scores below these, ten prizes of X5, fifteen of E4, and twenty- five of S.3, the lowest being won with scores of 76. Below these were the 400 winners of lower prizes in the first stage, and 100 tyro prizes of £1 each. At noon, when the great contest for the Gold Medal and the Queen's Prize of S.250 was begun, the weather was overcast, but no rain fell, and a large number of visitors had been attracted to the common to watch the event. At the 800 yards range, the silver medallist and the rival he had vanquished the evening before kept well in front, and finished, Lieut. Fletcher, 2nd Liverpool, 260, and Colour-Sergeant Barrett, 2nd Norfolk, 258, the best score made at the rapge being 47 out of a possible 50 by io Scotsman, Fletcher getting 46 and Barrett 44. At 900 yards Fletcher made the low score of 31, and only reached 291 at this point. Barrett still led with 298, but Lieut. Yates, 3rd Lanark, had been silently forging ahead, reaching 295. The bronze medallist, Private Simpson, 4th Manchester, had now fallen hope- lessly to the rear, but Armourer-Sergeant Fulton, the gold medallist of 1888, had been gradually creeping up to the front. About the middle of the last range Yates had got a few points in front of Barrett and Fulton, and putting on bullseye after bullseye consecutively, came up abreast. At the end of his eighth shot he stood at 319, and with two bullseyes could have won, and he could have tied with two inners. He, however, only got two outers, which made his total only 323. At the ninth shot Lieut. Yates stopd at 327, and had he made a bullseye with his last shot it would have been impossible for anyone to tie with him but his last snot was a miss, and it was hen possible for his score to be beaten by both Fulton and Armourer-Sergeant Scott, last year's silver medallist. Scott's last shot was a magpie, which left him one point behind, and Fulton only scoring four in his two shots, left Lieut. Yates the winner. The brigadier of the Forth Brigade, Lord Kingburg, who sat behind, in company with the Duke of Westminster, Sir Henry Fletcher, General Kelly-Kenny, Sir Ralph Knox, and a number of ladies seemed highly delighted with the result. The victor began his Volunteer career in the Queen's Edinburgh, where he was made a sergeant and served three years. He afterwards joined the 3rd Lanark. He has been for over 24 LIEUT. YATES, THE QUEEN'S PRIZEMAN. # years an enthusiastic Volunteer, and is now only 43 years of age. He has never before won an important N.R.A. prize, but has won & fair Share of regimental and county prizes. He wins, with his score of 327, X250, a gold medai, and gold badge. The score of 326 was reached by two competi- tors, Sergeant Handford, 2nd Manchester, winning £ 60, and Armcurer-Sergeant Scott, 1st Rox and Selkirk £ 40. With a score of 324, Pri- vate McHaffie, Galloway Rifles, wins S30, and Colour-Sergeant Barrett, 2nd Norfolk, £ 20. Armourer- Sergeant Fulton, Queen's Westminster Rifles, and nine other competitors, with lower scores down to 319, won prizes of £ 15. Thirty competitors, with scores down to 307, took X12 each. Fifteen scorers down to 305 won each X10, and 20 down to 295 won £8. The last 20 men in the hundred won prizes of £ 5, with scores down to 269. At the conclusion of the contest, the Queen's Prizeman's rifle having been tested and found correct, he was carried shoulder high across Stickledown Common to the umbrella tent, where the Duchess of Westminster pinned the gold badge on his arm, and subsequently handed him the gold medal and a cheque for X250, represent- ing the value of the prize. A-fter being carried on the chair to the camn of the London Scottish, the gold medallist was conducted to the 3rd Lanark headquarters, where he came in for more felicitations. After the prize distribution by the Duchess of Westminster in the umbrella tent, where a guard of the Queen's Westminsters was mounted, with band. Sir H. Fletcher moved a vote of thanks, remarking that the Duke of Westminster had been long one of the greatest patrons and sup- porters of the N.R.A. They had now arrived at the thirty-ninth meeting, which had been a great sueeess. There had been fine weather and eutra- ordinary shooting. It would be the duty of the Council between this time and next year to try to go into the question as to how the meetings should be carried on in future. The Duke i returned thanks, and endorsed what had been said by Sir Henry Fletcher as to the wonderful character of the shooting. The following is the full result of the shooting the Queen's:— THE QUEEN'S FINAL STAGE. 100shots each at 800, 900, and 1,000ryarcls. N.R.A. GOLD MEDAL, BADGE, AND MW. GFCTL. Laint.-D. Yates, Zrd LaaWk 327 N.R.A. BADGE AND 960. Sergeant A. Handford, 3rd VJB. Manchester 326 N.R.A. BADGE AND £40.. Cok-Sergt- J. H. Scott, let Box. and SeL -———. 326 N-il-A. BADGE AND L-30. PrivateG. MeHaffie, Galloway Rifles 324 N.R.A. BADGE AND £20. Col.-Sergeant Barrett. 2nd Norfolk 324 N.Ti-A. Badgk AND £.I5. Tot. 800 900 1,000 A*-Sergt. &. Pulton, 13th M'sex. 203 45 35 40 323 Sergt. D. Black, 5th H.L.L 209 40 35 38 322 Sergt. B. L Hardcastle,3rdN.Fus. 205 44 41 32 322 L-Sergt, a ReK Ist Larmxk- 209 40 39 34 322 Cor.i.staTiK.,L%tLanwkE,g em 209 42 33 37 321 Sergt. J. Broadtarrst. Canada 208 44 37 32 321 Cor. T. Lockia, 2nd V-B.S.Lanes. 212 41 41 27 321 Sergt.W-Gray, 3rd V.B _A.&S.Hrs. 209 39 31 41 320 L.-ogtJiJldmondar3rdV.B.ILX;J[. 204 40 42 34 320 Pte.W.McCredie, GaWwayPilles 205 44 37 33 319 N.B.A. BADGE AND M2. lit. E. L. Fletcher, 2nd V.B. L'pl. 214 46 31 «3 319 r Private Pargher, Victorian R. 204 41 37 36 318 Private J. H. Simpson, Canada. 209 43 33 33 318 Lieut. T. Ranldl6 bit Oxford. 213 40 32 33 318 Sergt. W. T. Davies, 1st Welsh- 210 44 35 29 318 Sergt. W. L. Boss, Canada — 206 41 35 34 316 Major G. A. Wilson, 2nd Liverp'l 204 40 43 29 316 A.-Sergt- J. McCallnm, A.&S-Hi. 210 47 35 24 316 Sergt. J, King, 3rd V.B. S. Staff. 207 41 30 37 315 Private T. Stack, 9th Lanark 205 37 41 32 315 Lance-Sergt. Sherry, 5th H.Ll. 211 39 33 32 315 Sergeant J. Smith, Guernsey M 207 36 38 33 314 Major J. Dslglish, 3rd Lanark 209 42 32 31 314 'Cpl.N. S. Lewis, 1st Oxiord. 208 37 33 35 313 Col.-SgfcSJ, Woodman*5rd Hats 206 33 36 27 312 Sergeant H. Ward, 4th Devon. 207 42 30 33 312 Pte. F. Simpson, 4th Manchester 212 42 25 33 312 Lce.-CpW.Cunningham,2nd N.F 206 44 36 26 312 Col.Sgt.B.S.Winkerstaffe, 1st D. 208 39 26 38 311 Cut. White, 2nd V.E. S. Lancas. 206 37 35 33 310 Private A. Wilson, 7th Middlesex 207 32 39 32 311 Sat. E. Despoints, Guernsey M. 207 40 28 34 309 Pte. J. Cole, 1st V.B. Dorset 205 39 32 33 309 C -Sgt. H. Comery^rd V.B.H.LJL 206 35 36 32 309 CornL L. Kinns, 1st V.B.H.L.L. 204 40 36 29 309 Cant. M. Hunter, 1st Derby 209 34 28 37 308 pte. T. Saunders, 1st Middl. Bgt. 206 36 36 30 308 Serst. J. T. Williams, 3rd Giam. 209 39 36 24 308 Ib-Sergt. Nortairy, 2nd S, Laaocs. 213 38 36 21 308 C.-Sergt. H. C. Blair, Canada. 205 41 37 24 307 N.R.A. BADGE AND .£10. Sergt. D- Gambles, '2nd S. Lanes. 2OT 39 41 20 307 Pte. F. Jones, 1st RI. Welsh Fus. 209 34 24 39 306 Pte. E. Morgan, 3rd Liverpool. 206 42 21 37 306 It-Cor. Ommupsden, 5th R. Beots 208 S3 35 30 306 O.-Sergt. Aldridge. Guernsey M.B. 204 37 41 24 306 Sergt. A. Mitchell, 4th R. Scots- 208 40 21 36 305 Pte. W. Sloans, Victorian Rifles 209 37 29 30 305 SglL-Piper Fmser. 6th GordLn H. 204 41 33 27 305 Lt-Sergt. Sainsbury, 2nd Glos.E. 212 35 34 24 305 Sergt- Bothon, 12th Middlesex 205 45 34 23 305 Qrm. A. Markill, 4th E. Surrey— 206 41 37 21 30i Pte. T. Hopkins, 2nd B. Welsh— 207 43 25 29 304 C.-Sergt. Haileur, Jersey Militia 209 41 29 25 304 Corpl. J. H. Simcock, 2nd Ches. 209 35 40 20 304 Pte. J. T. Powell, 12th B. L'poul 207 37 33 26 303 ELBA. BADGE AND 18. S»-Secgt< Hayliurut, Canada 205 39 34 25 303 Sergt. A. Fletcher, 3rd V.B.Hants 207 43 28 25 303 Private D. T. Morris, 1st Glaw.. 210 43 32 18 303 ,Pte. J. F. Listens 1st V.B. Suffolk. 211 36 41 15 303 Sgt. W. Stevenson. 1st R-S-Fus. 2D7 42 33 15 303 rSgt.M.W.L. Hugo,3rdE. Surrey 203 34 37 28 302 C.-Sgt.G. Manfleld,2nd W.Surrey 208 37 29 28 302 Pt.e. J-R. Jonesist BOYS] W-Fm- 206 34 29 30 299 Lance-Corpl. W. Dow, 1st H.L.I. 206 38 27 28 299 Pte. A. B. Patrick, 4th W. Surrey 207 36 34 22 299 Sgt. J. J.JEllimanJt2th Middlesex 205 36 30 27 298 C.-SgtW.V. Shotton,5th Durham 307 33 33 25 298 Cpl W. Caldwell. 1st A. & S. H. 204 39 24 30 297 Pte.W.D-AcniBtrong,3rd KX).SJB 210 33 28 26 297 CorpL Tressidder, 1st Cornwall 206 31 37 23 297 Lance-Sergt. Beaton, 5th B.H. 205 34 36 22 297 Pte.D.Goodinan^rd Som'set L J. 211 43 27 16 297 Private R. A Fellows, 2nd Glos. 204 38 35 19 296 lafc (Virraarn.ll A. 204 29 31 .31 295 lgfc^feB.ELXfX 206 WU 29 N.B.A. BADGE AND £ 5. .,Sergt. Lindley, lst V,B. Warwick 205 36 30 23 294 Ccrpl. 15. J. Andrews, 1st Welsh 205 31 29 28 293 Sergt. Montgomerie.lst A. & S.H. 207 38 21 27 293 Corpl. Robertson, 5th V.B. Dur. 205 39 24 25 293 CorpL J. Laidlaw, Queen's Edin. 209 33 29 21 292 ^Sergtk J. Campion, 1st V.B. Ches. 206 40 17 28 291 •Col.-3ergt. J. Goodear, 2nd Man. 20S 37 26 22 291 'Pte. MeLachJan, 3rd V.B. H.L.I. 206 37 33 24 290 S.Sergt. Maekay, 1st Sutherland 207 36 32 15 290 Pte. E: Graham, Queen's Edin. 210 36 26 17 289 Private E. Lewis, 1st Berks 205 41 27 16 289 Pte. E. C.McCallum, 5th A.&S.H. 205 39 11 33 283 Major B.A. E. Hart, Ist Warwick 204 33 27 23 287 I Sergt. K. Score, 3rd V.B.Som.L.I. 204 32 31 20 287 Private F. W. Bowring, H.A.C. 204 34 21 27 286 C.-Sgt. W.Craddock, 1st N'thants 206 35 20 24 285 Sgt. C.W. Cable, 1st Newcastle E. 210 41 13 17 281 Pte. P. Logan, 3rd Durham L.I. 205 37 29 8 279 Sgt. W. Deans, 3rd B.A-&S.Hrs 205 41 25 8 279 Corpl. H. Young, 16th Middlesex 205 17 17 30 269 The leading results in the less important com- petitions were as ander Bargrave Deane Challenge Cup, for revolver shooting, won by Queen's Westminster team, with aggregate of 143, Lieutenant Lodor scoring 55, Captain Wilkin 46, and Captain Probyn 40. The revolver match for the Whitehead Chal- lenge Cup between teams representing the Royal Navy, Army, Royal Marines, Volunteers, and all comers, was won by the Army with an aggregate total of 1,009 points, the other scores being Volunteers 962, all comers 943, Royal Navy 876, and Royal Marines 320. The Belgian Challenge Cup for volley firing and JE20 were won by the 3rd Lanark team, score 175, 2nd Liverpool £ 15 with 169,1st Lanark m0 with 161, 4th Manchester 410 with 157. The Mackinnou Cup was won by England with score 34, Scotland 27, Ireland 26, Wales 19, and Canada 19. The Royal Cambridge Shield and £10 were won by the 7th Dragoon Guards, score 124, the 12th Lancers winning Y.5, score 115. The Loyd-Lindsay Competition resulted in a win for the 2nd team of the Ayrshire Yeomanry, score 128, the Dorset Yeomanry winning 95 with 116. The Starley bicycle and EIO was won by the Galloway Rifles 1st team, with score 146; the 3rd V.B. South Stafford winning Y,5 with 130. The meeting has been a very successful one, and has been the most remarkable of the whole of the N.R-A. meetings in the making of new records. The most remarkable in individual performance was the compilation by Mr Somers Lewis, Oxford University, of two perfect scores in the St. George's first stage, one at 500 and the other at 600 yards. For the distribution a crowd greater than has ever before been the case at Bisley assembled under the great umbrella tent to watch the ceremony, which was performed by the Duchess of Westminster. The men who had made the mare notable records during the meeting were loudly cheered, the Canadians and the Victorians who came up to receive the handsome Daily Telegraph Cup, and the Guernsey team which had so gallantly won the Kolapore Cup, coming in for the greatest share of applause. LOCAL SCORES AND PRIZE WINNERS. The following are local prize winners in the competitions named GrtApFac.Private Roberts, 1st Welsh, LS, 34 Private Morris, 3rd Glamorgan, £ 3, 34 Corporal Wil- mot, 3rd Welsh, R2, 33 Major Hutchins, 5th S.W.B., £ 2, 33. ALEXANDBIA Tvnos.—Lieutenant Shipton, 3rd Welsb, £ 2, 62 Private T. Jones, 2nd Welsh, JE2, 62. BECKUITS.—Private Roberts, 1st Welsh, £1. 79; Private-Cyclist Jones, 5th S.W.B., 11, 78, "GRAPHIC" TTBOS.—Private Wooding, 2nd Welsh, ;61, 32 Lieutenant-Sergeant Davies, 4th S.W.B., 15 and two sketches. 34. ST. GEORGE'S, 2ND STAGE.—Sergeant Rogers, 1st Welsh, XS, 97. BURT.-Major Dowdeswell. 3rd Welsh, £1 19s 2d, 35; Priva,te T. Jones, 2nd Welsh, £ 1 16s, 34. ASSOCIATION CUP.-Sergeant Davies (for Mrs Davies), 1st Welsh, E3,67; Colour-Sergeant Ball, 3rd Welsh, 92,66. THORBURN.-Lientenant-Major Bell, 3rd Welsh, 46. BrsLEY CAMP, Sunday.—Most of the competi- tors have now dispersed, and the officials of the I National Rifle Association are engaged in clear- ing up the business of the meeting. A number of prize lists were issued to-day. Private High, 2nd Norfolk, wins the Service Rifle Association Cup with a highest possible. The recruits gold medal aud 11.0 was won by Lance-Corporal Lewis, 4th Devon, with 93. Captain Mayne, D.T.M., wins the first prize ( £ 10) in the Armourers. The Fletcher rapid firing competi- tion, challenge cup and £ 5, was won by Major I Cowan, Royal Engineers. The Tbornburn first prize (£10), was won by Lieutenant Fletcher, 2nd Liverpool. THE WELSHMEN'S* DOINGS. I BY THE MAJOR." BISLEY, Saturday Evening.—As I write the twilight is falling over Bisley Common, and the droves of departing Volunteers and visitors mark the fact that the Bisley Meeting of 1898 is a thing of the past. It has been a well-attended and most enjoyable meeting, and it has been productive of keen competitions and record shooting. This year Scotland has bad all the luck, and they ran off with the National Trophy and the Queen's Prize. For once Wales and England can mourn together, but the luck will turn some day, and in the meantime it is something to feel that Wales has fought a good fight. In the National Trophy competition the Welsh shooting was wonderfully fine, and this year we had nearly twice as many Welshmen in the Queen's Hundred as last. Sergeant W. T. Davies was only nine points behind the winner, while Sergeant T. Williams. Private Hopkin, Private F. Jones, and Private Morris all made highly creditable scores. The closing day of the meeting opened with a sky overcast with grey leaden clouds. A high wind swept across the heath from the westward, and altogether the conditions for the last stage of the Queen's were far from promising. By midday, however, the clouds cleared, and the sun came up. but the wind abated not. Most of the Welshmen shot down near the left-hand end of the line, where the full force of the wind was felt. Here was Private Hopkin, of the 2nd V.B. Welsh, who went off well with a bull and three inners. Bull, magpie, bull, inner, bull, and an inner for his last shot saw him finish at 800 with the very respectable total of 43. Next to him in the line was young Private Morris, of Swansea, who had come up from the second stage with 210 to his credit. After an outer for his sighting shot he fired in capital form, starting with three bulls, followed by an inner. Another inner followed, and to this again succeeded two bulls. After this he fell off owing to some fresh gusts, but a 10 feet left on he finished with an inner and 43. Sergeant Tucker Williams, who shot at the next target to Morris, got a bull for a sighter, and then followed with a magpie, another bull was followed with two more magpies, the Swansea veteran finishing with 39. For his last shot Tucker William had on 15 feet left I Further along the line Sergeant W. T. Davies, after a moderate start and a score spoilt by two magpies, finished up in unmistakeable style with five successive bulls, totalling 44. Of the other Welshmen Corporal Andrews put on 31, and the brothers Jones, of Wrexham, 34 each. Thus at the end of the first range in the last stage the Welsh totaJs were — Sergeant Davies, 254 Private Morris, 253; Private Hopkin, 250; Sergt. J. Tucker Williams, 248; Private F. Jones, 243; Private J. R. Jones, 240 Corporal Andrews, 236. At 2.30 firing began at 900 yards, Hopkin at the left end of the line started with ricochet, and never getting fairly to work, only succeeded in totally 25. Morris missed his sighter and first competition shot, but got on the target with a low left magpie at his next shot, An outer followed, and then a bull, an inner and a bull, and he finished at 500 yards, bringing bis total up to 285. Sergeant Tucker Williams, after starting his sompetition shots with an inner, got on to the bull with his second, and followed it with a right outer; then came a bull, but his next shot was fired during a gust, and was carried wide, only an outer resulting. Notwithstanding the gusty wind the Swansea veteran kept on the target his 10 shots, producing four bulls, an Inner, -two magpies and onters. Daring this shot he had on 12 to 15 ieet windage. In the meantime Sergeant W. T. Davies, after starting indifferently with an outer and a magpie, did better, his third and seventh shots being inners, and his sixth, eighth, and ninth were bulls, finishing with 35. When he men went back to shoot at a 1,000 yards Sergeant W. T. Davies had 289; Private Morris, 285 Sergeant Tucker Williams, 284 Private Hopkin, 275 Private J. R. Jones, 269; Private F. Jones, 267; and Corporal Andrews, 265. Of the others in the 100 five w%re above Sergeant Davies, Barrett leading with 298, and Yates being second with 295, while four others tied with the Welsh crack. The wind was still blowing big guns, necessitating an allowance of in some instances as much as 20 feet left, and the light was bad. Altogether the conditions were trying enough to tax the ability of the most tried veteran. Three of the leaders in the com- petition started with outers and mags, and Sergeant W. T. Davies commencing resolutely with two bolls quite a flutter of excitement went along tbe line. It really appeared as though history was going to repeat itself, but it was not so to be. His fourth shot was a miss, and so was the last but one, and in the result be finished in the twelfth place with three others with a total of 318. Meanwhile Sergt. Tucker Williams had been going ,_>uite astray, three misses following in quiek succession. Three bulls, however, pulled his total up to 30. He finished second of the Welshmen with 10 points below Sergt. Davies. The finest shooting among the Welsh- men in the last stage was that by Private Fred. Jones, who was squadded close to Yates, the-; ultimate winner. Jones accomplished what no other marksman on the range did, viz., he put on six successive bullseyes at 1,000 yards- a wonder- ful feat under such adverse conditions, and the big crowd around made many gratifying remarks about the dogged way in which the Welshman was gradually overhauling the winner in the last lap. It was a hard fight, and those of us who witnessed the final stage this afternoon are not likely soon to forget the determined pluck and, perseverance that it evoked The Mackinnon Competition for national teams had been entered by Wales. It involves the firing by teams of 10 of five rounds at 500 yards in volleys inside 60 seconds, with one inter- rupted volley. After some preliminary practice outside the Twenty Club tent the Welsh team marched down to the range. The weather condi- tions were very bad. The Welshmen did badly, only notching 19 hits between them out of a pos- sible 50. One of theleaa-twes of the Bisley meeting are the numerous exhibits of inventions made for the convenience of rifle shooting. In this respect Wales has an interest in the exhibition of Lieut.- Col. Trick, who displays a pair of his admirable gate targets of the kind th«t has been erected at Margain Park for the Glamorgan County Rifle Meeting. During the past week or so the one erected at Bisley has been inspected by most of the best living authorities; including Capt.Dutton Hunt, and one and all have declared that it pro- vides all the improvements that the patentee claims for it Among local prize-winners not yet mentioned is Private T. Jones, 2nd V.B. Welsh—Alexandra, £ 2; Burt Competition, £ 2. In writing of the dose of the Bisley meeting r and the doings of the Welshmen thereat 1 should not be giving full vent to the feelings of the- shooting men here were I to omit an expression of gratitude to those by whose kindness Major Bell has been able to erect the tent, I Btated in my weekly column of notes some mombts since that Major Bell had decided that the tent should be erected even if he had to pay for it himself. He went to work in the spirit that accomplishes great things, and the result has been that the following subscriptions were received for this purpose. At the soecial request of the Twenty Club officials I give the list in toto :-Lord Bute, Y,5 Lord Tredegar, 4,2; Lord Aberdare, -El Is; Colonel Lewis, Merthyr, -Sl Is; Sir John Jones Jenkins, £ 1; Colonel Phillips, Aberdare, 103 6d Major Roderick, Llanelly, 10s 6d Mr W. T. Rees, Aberdare, Fl Is Sergeant Wilkinson, Liverpool, 10s 6ct Merthyr Vale Rifle Club, £1; Alderman J. Evans, Aberdare, El ls Mrlstance, Treharris, 10s 6d; Major Dowdeswell, 10s 6d Sergeant Nash, 5s Mr J. Da.vies, Dowlais, 2s 6d. I only wish that all these gentlemen could have been present at the Welsh Twenty tent on Friday evening, when the members present passed a hearty vote of thanks to all who had come forward to assist the club in making its first home on Bisley Common. I ought to say that the above subscriptions do not cover the expenditure, the balance-happily only a small one—being borne by the captain. It is hoped that next year more subscriptions will be re- ceived. The very artistic shield which adorns the flagstaff outside the tent has been presented to the club by that enthusiastic shooting man, Major Bythway, of Llanelly, and will, no doubt, con- tinue to adorn the exterior of the tent at many future Bisley meetings. Nor, indeed, can I close my series of descriptions of the doings of the Welsh at Bisley this year without paying my debt of gratitude to Major Bell, Sergeant Davies, and the other officials for the hospitality and welcome that we received during the meeting in the spacious tent of the Welsh Twenty Club. SHOT FOR SHOT SCORES OF THE WELSHMEN. Private Hopkins, 2nd stage total, 207 800 yards, 5444535454-43; 900 yards, r230233444—25 1,000 yards, 2404343333—29; grand total, 304. Sergeant W. T. Davies, 2nd stage total, 210; 800 yards, 4543355555-44; 900 yards, 2342354552—35-; 1,000 yards, 5520353303—29 grand total, 318. Private F. Jones, 2nd stage total, 209; 800 yards, 4242443344-34; 900 yards, 3232003335-51; 1,000 vards, 3425555550-39; grand total, 306. Private J. R. Jones, 2nd stage total, 206; 800 yards, 2353432552-34; 900 yards, 355r232333—29 1,000 yards, 3203524344-30; grand total, 299. Corporal Andrews, 2nd stage total, 205; 800 yards, 2035322554—31; 900 yards. 2332402355—29; low yards, 4033435240—25 grand total, 293. Sergeant J. Tucker Williams, 2nd stage total, 209 800 yards, 5353353435—39 900 yards, 4525252353—36; 1,000 yards, 5035200045-24-; grand total, 308. Private Morris, 2nd stage total, 210; S00 yards, 5554465334—43 900 yards. 0325254533—32; 1,000 yards, 0420340320—18; grand total, 303.

,THE NTRICAL ENTERPRISE AT CARDIFF. THE RENOVATED ROYAL." The Cardiff Theatre Royal has for some weeks; past been undergoing renovation preparatory to: its reopening on August Bank Holiday under Mr Redford, the new lessee and manager, By the time the finishing touches have been put on, the art of the decorator and upholsterer will have combined to make the theatre one of the most spick and span places of entertainment in the Principality, while a number of small but important structural alterations, carried out in different parts the auditorium, will largely conduce to the increased comfort of the audience. The interior has been picked out in an effective colour design of pale blue, cream, and gold, the stalls and circle being set off with the rare and expensive wall covering known as Japanese paper. The seats throughout the house have been upholstered in electric blue velvet, tip-up chairs replacing the benches in the upper circle, while in the pit the long wooden seats, with their awkward slope forward, have been readjusted to a more comfortable angle, cushioned, and padded. A complete system of electric lighting replaces gas. AmongJJ the more important structural alterations is the taking back of the horse-shoe of the dress-circle for about three feet, so that an uninterrupted view of almost the whole of the stage may be obtained from any seat in this part of the auditorium, while the boxes at either end of the circle have been considerably improved both as regards position and ventilation. The gallery has been considerably enlarged by the abolition of the store rooms at each end, and the old cage-like iron railing in front has been replaced by a neat circular rail permitting the gods" a much less hampered view of the stage. Particular attention has been paid to ventilation, and the audience are protected from draughts by draught proof doors at the entrances. Increased accommodation in the stalls has been secured by a further slight encroachment on the pit seats. The crush-room and its annexes have undergone considerable change. In the first place the little box-like room, which did duty as the pay box for the circle, has given way to a smartly equipped pay and booking-office. The crush-room itself has been converted into a handsomely decorated and thoroughly comfortuble lounge. The deep rich red Turkey pile carpet effectively contrasts the delicate primrose-coloured papering of the walls, while the doors have been re-set with costly-coloured glass. This apartment is illuminated by a heavy cluster of electric lights. The saloon will be on the left instead of as formerly on the right hand side of the crush- room. It takes the place of the gentlemen's cloak-room and manager's office, which will be thrown into one for the purpose, the gentlemen's cloakroom being removed to another apartment on the same side, and the office taking the place of the old saloon. One end of the crush-room will be furnished with settees and tables, where light refresh- ments, such as tea or coffee, may be taken. The bar of the pit has also been enlarged, lighted with electricity, and fittingly furnished and decorated. As for the stage the first instalment of a number of im- portant improvements contemplated by Mr Bedford is the substitution of a smart tableau curtain for the old act drop. A number of first-class engagements have already been booked, including amongst a host of others Mr W. S. Penley in A Little Ray of Sun- shine;" Miss Fortescne, Mr Wilson Bar- rett, D'Oyly Carte's Repertoire Com- pany, The Little Minister" (from the Haymarket), A Night Cut," The White Heather" (from Drury-lane), Lord and Lady Algy (from the Comedy), A Runaway Girl (from the Gaiety), The Belle of New York (from the Shaftesbury), Sir Arthur Sullivan's latest The Beauty Stone," "The Dandy Fifth," The Liars" (from the Criterion), The Geisha," &c.

PROPERTY SALES. CARMARTHEN. On Saturday at the Boar's Head Hoel, CiiJ- marthen, Mr Vincent Howell Thomas (of the firm of Messrs J. Howell Thomas and Son) offered for sale by auction a number of freehold properties in the parishes of Mydrim and Llanfiliangel- Abercowin. It was a most satisfactory sale in every way, great interest being taken in it by an enormous attendance of would-be buyers The solicitors were Mr R. M. Thomas and Messrs Barker, Morrie, and Barker, Carmarthen. ADDended are the results of the purchases:— Llysonenucha Farm, 188a. 2r. 2p., rented at £280, sold to Mr John Lewis, J.P., weaver, Johnstown, for £1,150; Hafod Farm, 186a. Or. 30p., rented at-, £211, £ 5,010, the Rev. J. M. Gibbon, London, brother-in-law of the buyer of the previous lot two fields of meadow land (23a. 2r. 30p.), part of Penrhiw Farm, were sold with Penrhiw itself (67a. lr. 15p.), for iEg-,020, to Mr Thomas, Glasfryn, „ Whitland Danycoed Farm, 60a. lr. 22p., rented at Y,160, £ 4,020, Mr Rees, Junction, Carmartn; Sarnbwla, a sllall holding, 8a. Ir. 19p., rented at £16, £430, Mr John Davies, the tenant; plot of ground (la. Or. 8p.), being a part of Penrhiw,,952 10s, the Rev. J. M. Gibbon four dwellings called Llyeonen Cottages, £ 550, Mr G. Forbes,Llysonen. CARDIFF. Messrs Stephenson and Alexander sold by auction at the Angel Hotel, Cardiff, on Saturday afternoon, the freehold pasture farm and land at Peterstone, known as Maesyrhaul Farm. The property was disposed of in two lots, the first, 67a. lr. 27p. in <tent, fetching £ 3,000, and the second, 7a. Or. 26p., realising £ 700 provisionally.

THE HARDEST SMOKERS IN THE, WORLD. In 1896 the French Government netted £ 13,000,000 by its tobacco monopoly, and the total quantity sold under every form amounted to 37,000,000 kilogrammes, which works out at 21b. per head of the population. The Swiss, who have the reputation of being great smokers, are really behind the French, with an average of 13 £ lb. per head. The greatest smokers in Europe are the Dutch, who consume 6-ilb. per head. The nation which really smokes less than any other is the Spanish—the owners of Cuba. and the makers of the best cigars in the world. Theic average con- sumption is lib.

RADNORSHIRE COUNCIL. The quarterly meeting of the Radnorshire f County Council was held at Llandrindod Wells, Ion Friday, Alderman Charles Coltman Rogers, .rn' chairman, presiding. The chairman presented the report of the Assessment Committee, which showed an increase of a brut 113,000in the total county rate basis, mainly in the parishes of Cefnllys and Llandrindod (Llandrindod Wells), which were responsible for one-half the increase. Alderman Rogers explained that the committee had taken the income tax assezaments as their basis. He moved that the report should be received, and submitted to the next meeting as the new standard. Alderman Bowen-Davies pointed out an inaccuracy in regard to the pansh of Cefnllys, and Mr Moseley averted to the rating of tithes. After a lengthy discussion, it was agreed, at the suggestion of tbeVice-Chairman, to allow the report to stand over for the present. Alderman W. Bowen-Davies was unanimously elected a representative of the County Council on the County Governing Body, in succession to Mr R. Lewis Lloyd, resigned.

THE WHITE MONX," a story of mystery, by John Prendergast, is now appearing in the Cardiff Times and South Wales Weekly News." Secure a copy. Serials, complete stories, special articles, and the news of the week. The beet peony weekly published. LATEST NEWS Pnom THE TKANSVA AX..—A Gentle man travelling in Bechuanaland en rcuite for Bulu wayo,writes:—"I have been very bad with fearfnl headache for over a week. I took two doses of Mu! day's Liver Pills, and am all right agaiu.Sold i i, boxes, Is, Is 6d» and 4s 64. free, by -posti-J. Mimday chemist High-street, Carrot U25

1 AMERICAN VERSUS WELSH STEAM COAL. KEEN COMPETITION PREDICTED. The Shipping Gazette for Friday contains along and exhaustive leading article dealing with steam coals which came into competition with Welsh steam coal. We make the following quotations —" The time has come when a word of serious warning ought to be given to those who-are leading the Welsh miners into the belief that for the purposes of the steam shipping trade South Wales coal is absolutely indispensable. To this impression must be attributed much of the pertinacity which has characterised the action of the miners in the existing dispute, the men apparently being of the opinion that if they only hold out long enough they are bound to obtain all they want. Smokeless coal, which experts declare to be of a quality not inferior to that of South Wales, is found in enormous quantities in Virginia, as also in other parts of America, and arrangements are now being made to ship this coal from Norfolk, Va., for consumption in British steamers. Several large shipments have indeed already been made to the Cape. Shipments of this coal by steamer are now afloat to the River Plate, the Cape Verde Islands, and other markets hitherto supplied exclusively with Welsh coal but what is more start- ling, a steamer cargo of Pocahontas coal from Norfolk will be arriving within the next few days in London. Inquiries are also in progress for bringing large quantities to South- ampton for one of the well-known steamship com- panies. Pocahontas coal has for many years been exclusively used on all the cruisers built for the American Government by the Cramp Shipbuild- ing and Engineering Company, of Philadelphia. The White Star, Cunard, and other lines have long employed Pocahontas coal on their east- bound passages, and this very coal was burned by the Campania and Lucania on the fastest journeys which have ever been made by vessels crossing the Atlantic. Careful analysis shows that the coal coming from the mines of West Virginia contains 86 51 per cent. of carbon, and that it is in calorific power equal to the finest Welsh' steam coal. From the Fiat Top and Pocahontas regions the output in 1892 was less than 5,000 tons it is now nearly 5,000,000 tons annually. The coalfield covers more that 300 square miles, and through the whole of this area of, say, 200,000 acres, the valuable seam is believed to extend above water from eight to twelve feet in thickness. Having. regard to facilities, for shipment, prices, and other condi- tions, Cardiff coal ought inordinary circumstances to possess a great advantage in the competition of the world but it is altogether misleading for anyone to tell the Welsh miners that Welsh col- liery owners can command their own prices. As the result of the present strike considerable trade which formerly went to South Wales ports has already been diverted into other channels, and we fear that much of this trade may never return. The longer the strike continues the greater will be the extent of this unfortunate diversion."

MODEL YACHTING. On the Roath Park Lake on Saturday after- noon a model yacht race for a cup put up by Mr Arthur Angle took place. The match was open to all comers. The wind was westerly and of sufficient strength for good sport. Mr J. J Davies acted a,s handicapper and officer of the day, ordering the boats away on a reaching course of four rounds, with a handicap of 30 seconds per ton to the mile. They crossed the line in the following order:—Lyonesse, Hornet, Scillonian, Chwareuteg, Hilda, Doris, Teaser, Ailsa, Welsh Girl, White Rose, Black Swan, Dodger, Mildred, Gloria, Carrie, White Swan, Geisha, Aerial, Britannia, Bona, and Condor. At the end of the first round Chwareuteg was first, followed by Hornet and Ailsa. Second round-Ailsa, Chwareuteg, and Dodger. Third round—Ailsa, Dodger, and Chwareuteg, with White Swan gradually gaining upon her. Last round—1st, Dodger (Mr L. Smart); 2nd, Ailsa (Mr Easter- brook) 3rd, White Swan.

SIR WILLIAM, BEWARE 1 It will be well for Sir William V. Harconrt if the can keep himself well out of the reach of the muscular Christianity of the Rev. T. W. Belcher, D.D. At a recent meeting of the English Church Union at Frampton Cotterell, Gloucestershire, a strong resolution, coached in even stronger lan- guage, was directed against the cowardly un- truths propagated in the Lower House by its Liberal leader, to which the rev. gentle'nan addocl as a rider, "If Sir William Vernon Mii.tv.ouit would only come into this loom ami i<■;•<->:>■ il slanders i will knock him down on the spot." Cheers and some laughter followed this novel | tttectainttionof ww.

ABERDARE. REGISTRATION^—All old lodgers' clai.msmas5.be in the hands of the assistant oversegrs by this (Monday) evening. All Liberals in the Aberdare side of the Merthyr Boroughs whose claims axe not yet signed are requested without fail to call to-day at the Aberdare Liberal Club to do«o.

PONTYPOOL. DEATH OF MB C. J. PAmms.-At the Police Court on Saturday, the Chairman (Mr E. J. Phillips) made sympathetic reference to the death of Mr C. J. Parkes, J.P., the late chairman of the Bench, who had been a justice of the peace for nearly 30 years.

BRIDGEND. BOARD OF GUARDIANS.—The usual weekly meeting was held on Saturday, Archdeacon Edmondes presiding. The statistics showed that the work provided by the Penybont Council was still causing the number of paupers at Maesteg to decrease. It was decided to carry out certain alterations in the boundary wall and the entrance door, which would cost about £40. Some of the Maesteg guardians complained of the Maesteg medical officer's treatment of a pauper, and a committee wag appqinted to look into the matter and see if there was-any ground for the allegations.

SWANSEA. CONCEALMENT OF BIRTH CASE.—The Rev. Secreta Jones, vicar of Oystermouth, has issued an appeal for subscriptions towards the defence of the girl, Elizabeth Sutton, charged with concealment of birth, and has already obtained, a considerable sum. The girl's family are it poor circumstances.

PEMBROKE DOCK. DOCKYARD ITEMS.—A number of additional shipwrights ale being engaged at the dockyard. The entry began on Friday. The new hands will be employed on the Andromeda. The s.s. Llandaff. of Cardiff, has arrived with a cargo of bunker coal for the Andromeda. PROPOSED STRENGTHENING OF THE LOCAL GAB- itisox.-There are strong reasons for believing that, after the completion of the new barracks, two regimonts of infantry will be regularly stationed at Pembroke Dock instmd,of one only, as at present.

PONTYPRIDD. SUDDEN DEATH.—Mr Woodward, supervisor of taxes, died suddenly on Sunday morning.

BURRY PORT. URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL.—At a meeting of ths Parish Uouncil held on Saturday, Mr Edward Evans presiding, it was resolved that an applica- tion be made to the County Council for powers to form an Urban District Council for the Burry Port Ward.

PORTH. COUNTY SCHooL.-Mr Samuel, B.A., the head- master of the school, and the governors have initiated a useful function. They invited all the parents of the scholars to a symposium. Alder- man J. Jones Griffiths was in the chair. He announced the success of two of the scholars in the London matriculation examination, and said they expected to hear of other successes in the Welsh matriculation. Mr Evans, a governor, spoke, and addresses followed from Mr Samuel, Mr J. W. Jones (Tonypany schools), Mr Tom John (Llwynypia schools, member of the execu- tive of the Central University Court), and Mr Edwards and Mr Rowlands (working men). Mr Jones, music teacher, presided at the piano, and Master Edwards and Miss Powell gave violin solos and Miss James a soprano solo. Tea con* eluded a most successful innovation.

PONTYPOOL. LARCENY.— On Saturday Rebecca Wilbtanw, married woman, Pontypool, vvas summoned for • the theft of railway chair key?, to the value of 2a 6d, belonging to the Ebbw Vale Company. The woman was observed to take the keys from the railway and place them in a bag. They had been taken from the rails. The Chairman lie- marked that it was a very serious offence, inasmuch as if a locomotive had come along the rails when the keys had been taken away there might have been a very serious accident. A fine of 20s was imposed. THEFT OF A CRICKET NET.—Win. Doyie and Wm. Taylor, Garndiffaith men, with bad records, were finsd 40s each with a month's imprisonment as alternative for stealing a cricket net, value 20s, belonging to the Trevethln Crickei Club. The net wa3 taken from the cricket fieio on the night of the 6th June. BATHING IN THE CANAL.—John Morris and Augustus Compton, youths, of Pontnewydd, were fined 2s 6d each for bathing in the canal at Pontnewydd on the previous Sunday morning.

GRAND THEATRE (CARDIFF). Proved True," which occupies the boards of the Grand for the ensuing week, is a .sensational drama, and has the advantage of being presented by Miss Emma. Rainbow's Company.

THE LYCEUM (NEWPORT). Another capital programme of a more than usually diversified character is prepared for patrons at the above well-appointed theatre. To- night The Manxman will occupy the boards, and will be continued until Thursday, when it will be succeeded by a. dramatised version of Dn Maurier's charming and weird story of Trilby." On Friday there will be a grand amateur per- formance of t'nj comic opera, BiB.ee Taylor,™ the proceeds of which will be given to the distress fund. On Saturday evening the ever-popular Ticket-of Leave Man will be produced.

THE EMPIRE (CARDIFF). Dan Leno, that king of comedia.ns, oren-, his annual visit to Cardiff this evening in a number of new and inimitable character sketches. The rest of the programme is of good gnaiity, in- eluding as it does such turns as the dainty Mint Minnie Cunningham, and tboee nzvv. r-O the Orient, the Achmed Ibrahim.

THE EMPIRE (SWASBSA^ An exceedingly strong list of artbrte* it",bw billed for the ensuing week, including the marvn?- Ions iJ;i> ton fsmily of acrobats, Mr CbarJ'v; Mildare, the wonderful bird imitator; Allis and Cassati, the humorist and the 'XSpcoloao^aog {.stress; wad Batry Tate, tbt vtm&mJKtutok