South Wales Daily News

GREAT BRITAIN AND FRANCE. IF the article in the French Gaxdois entitled What will be seen in the Yellow Book ?" Î8 to be accepted as. an inspired article in advance of what that Book will contain, then the verdict of this country, and we. believe of thoughtful and unprejudiced Frenchmen, will be that it is a deliberate attempt to becloud the issue by a. ouqper- ftnrtv of surplusages and reretevan- cies. The rights of the SCTLTAN, the peculiar nature of the KHALIFA'S rule, the Ireaty of Paris in 1856, of London in 1871, s-of Berlin in 1878, and the Berlin Confer- ence of 1835 cannot by the most specious;, ingenuity of the most sophistical French- man be shown to have the remotest bearing upon the question whether France, or the French Governmentrath6r, hsstcom- mitted "an unfriendly act" against this; country in 1898. That is the one issue, t and the only debatable issue in the present crisis. That crucial question must be removed out of the way before any other question concerning the Nile Valley can be discussed by this country. Lord SALISBURY has made that abundantly plain to the .French Government. Nevertheless the Cki/ulms alleges that the Yellow Book' will base its claims of French rights in the Nile Valley upon the declaration at the first sitting of the Con- ference in London in 1871 that it is an essential principle of the law of nations that no Power can liberate itself from the engagements of a Treaty, nor modify the stipulations thereof unless with the con- sent of the contracting Powers by means -of an amicable agreement." No doubt Lord 'SALISBURY will, on the part of Great Britain, endorse this principle fully, but what bearing has that upon the Fashoda question ? Tenter den steeple might, as* old legends say, be the cause of the. Goodwin Sands, but the Conference and the Treaty of London in 1871 did not cause the Fashoda incident, and cannot settle it. The whole question lies in nutshell to our thinking on this side of the Channel, and could be at once, settled one way or the other by a few plain, straightforward words from the French Government. Why does not that Government speak the few plain, straight- forward words ? Major MARCHANB planted the French flag at Fashoda. That fact is not in dispute. In what character did he place it there ? Was the Major simply an emissary of civilisation having no political character and not en- trusted by the French Govern- ment with any political mission ? If the French Government would only say this there would be no need for negotia- tions of any kind, for the MARCHAND expedition and the planting of the flag would have no political significance, which is the contention of Lord SALISBURY, and the" crisis" would be over. Or if the; French Government intends to assert that. the MARCHAND expedition had political: significance, and that the flag was planted as the signal for French sover- eignty over the territory, diplomatic negotiations would be no longer in request and would instantly give place to negotia- tions of a more formidable kind. What the French Government can mean by pro- longing this menacing state of tension it is difficult to conjecture. However loudly the noisy patriots of the militant section of the French Press might fulminate, France does not mean war. The talk about the movements of the French Fleet are simply bunkum. There are obvious reasons why she does not desire war. But sometimes the evil which a nation does not want overtakes it, by it own culpable delay in agreeing with its adversary by the way. Great Britain does not want war; it abhors war as the greatest of all national evils, and would above all deplore a war with France. But she has plainly stated to France her position, and that position she intends without halting or faltering resolutely to maintain. It rests with France to say what the final issue shall be, and it had better be said quickly, because every additional day's delay brings an added peril.

INCREASE OF RENTS AND RATES. A CARDIFF landlord—the Rev. T. JENKINS —who states that he owns over fifty dwelling-houses in Cardiff," has through the Smdh Wales Daily News uttered a I, warning cry to the occupiers of small tenements. He affirms that if the rates of Cardiff are to increase after the abnormal fashion now threatened he, and those other Cardiff landlords who include the rates in the rents when letting their houses—and their name is legion— will be compelled perforce to raise the rents upon the tenants. Cardiff has an exceptionally high percentage of landlords —perhaps the highest percentage of any town in the kingdom—who let their houses to tenants rate free," as it is ludicrously called. But rate free is a most decep- tive misnomer. Because it is the tenants who pay the rates, but they pay them in the rent instead of paying them direct to the rate collector. But surely the most thoughtless tenant cannot possibly cherish the stupendous folly of supposing that he does not pay the rates upon his dwelling-house because he does not hand these rates over directly to the rate collector. He pays them as certainly as he pays the duty upon the beer he drinks or the tobacco he smokes. He pays the duties to the publican and the tobacconist, but they are only the media through whom the duties paid by the buyer find their way into the National Exchequer. The, purchaser pays all duties upon the com- modities he buys, but he pays them in the purchase money of the articles the tenant pays all rates upon the house he occupies, but he pays them in the rent. It does not make an atom of difference to the tenant's pocket how he pays his rates, whether directly to the rate collector or indirectly through the landlord; he pays them all the same. It is surprising and, to a. thoughtful onlooker, almost startling, to notice how this difference in the mere mode of rate payment alters the tenants' view of the whole rate question. A very large percentage, probably the vast majority, of the tenants whose rates are paid in the rent do not suffi- ciently realise that they pay rates .at all. Rates may rise, and again, rise, -but it is impossible to arouse them to an adequate consideration of the question, or, indeed, to any consideration at all, or to stimulate them to any inquiry or sym- pathy for the rate burdens of the com-" munity. The Cardiff landlord to whom we4iave referred, who is the owner of over fifty- dwelling-houses" in the town, for all of which he pays the rates, receiving those rates from the tenants in the rent, thinks that he has hit upon a most effective method to impress upon the thought of over-thoughtless tenants the severity of the weight of rate burdens in Cardiff. He says :—" At present it is difficult to arouse the interest of the wprking man in this rates question, but if the Corporation carry out all their schemes, house pro- perty owners, like myself, will have seri-, ously to think of raising rents. We shall be bound to do it. Then perhaps, when, it is too late, the working man tenant will a great outcry. Let him do it while yet there is time, I say." We have not a shred of faith, and we say it with all due respect to the Reverend Mr JENKINS, in the suggested remedy. At first, when the rents are raised, the tenants will undoubtedly make a great outcry, but it will be against the landlords and the increased brents,, and not so much against the burden of the rates. And if the rates continue to be.paid by the landlords the occupiers will sink into their old groove of apathetic., indifference, and will feetao greater interest in th»rafces question and m railing burdens than they feel now, which is no interest at all. They must be made to feel" directly and immediately, that there is a burden and a grievance, and .that they are suffering under that; burden and grievance; and this, and we believe this alone, will arouse them to inquiry and action. We would therefore- offer a suggestion to Cardiff landlords which, if adopted, will, we are satisfied, "effectually cure this apathy and indiffer- ence in the occupiers of small tenements to the heavy and continually increasing rating burdens of Cardiff. Let the land- lords, or as many of them as are alive to their own true in- terests, and to the well-being of the town, enter into a binding compact, a self- denying ordinance if they choose to call it so, to let their houses henceforth at a fair rental valuation, exclusive of rates, and throw the burden of the rates directly upon the tenants who pay them now indirectly. This will be a revolution in a small way, but like some other revolutions, it will be for the benefit of the community as a whole, and will largely conduce to thev future welfare and better Municipal .government of Cardiff. When men fieel their responsibilities as citizens^ they will take an interest in and will make an effort to fulfil their, citizen duties. The way to makesome 1men feel their citizen responsibilities is through their pockets. We have a pro- found conviction, born, of experience, that-i ^officialism and some of the interests will-? set their faces as a flint against»such a* proposal as this, but Municipalities were t devised not for the advantage of officials or interests, but for the public good. And it is for the well-being of the community that all citizens should feel, or-be made to-feel, an interest in citizen obligations and duties.

CARD IFFPOSTMASTER ABERDEEN MAN APPOINTED The Postmaster-General has gone far North to find a successor to Mr George Fardo as post- master at Cardiff. We are officially informed that the appointment has been given to Mr H. E. Spenceley, postmaster at Aberdeen. Mr Spenceley comes fully equipped by special knowledge and experience to fill the important position at Car- diff, to which he has been preferred. The De., partment seems, wisely enough, to make a point of selecting for postmasterships at greatsea- ports men who have spent some years in direct- ing the postal and telegraphic business-of other maritime centres. Mr Fardo gained his best experience at Liverpool; while his successor at Cardiff hails from the principal seaport in the North of Scotland, and received the appointment to the postmastersbip of the granite city when he was chief superintendent at Glasgow.' It was at Scotland's great port on the Clyde that Mr Spenceley entered the service, and commenc-i ing at the bottom of the clerical staff in 1865 he worked his way through all departments and held the position of chief clerk. The appointment of a gentleman of such all-round practical know- ledge has given great satisfaction to the local staff. Aberdeen does not hold the same status (as Cardiff, but with regard to Mr Spenceley's official career at Glasgow it may be stated in order that a comparative estimate may be formed that there are about 700 postmen in that postal district, whereas Cardiff has less than 200. APPOINTMENT MADE Our Aberdeen correspondent telegraphs The Postmaster-General has just appointed Mr Henry Ellis Spenceley, postmaster, Aberdeen, to be postmaster at Cardiff. Some years ago Mr Spenceley received an offer of promotion, which he declined. He has accepted the present offer, and will leave Aberdeen in about a month to take up the duties of his new appointment. Since Mr Spenceley came to Aberdeen in April, 1892, the; postal service has been very largely re-organised, the work of the office has been considerably ex- tended. the number of sub-post offices has been increased by about one-half, and more local facilities in the shape of pillar and lamp boxes have been multiplied exceedingly. Then the collection and distribution of letters, etc., in "the city have been much improved, consequent in some degree, of course, on the acceleration of the mails, so that in districts of the city where people j never had their letters delivered before 10 in the morning half a dozen years ago there ia now a delivery at 7.30. The postal staff has also been largely increased in Mr Spenceley's time, and otherwise substantial prosperity has attended the administration of postal affairs in the city. Per-, sonally the relations between Mr Spenceley and'' all having occasion to do business directly with the Post Office have been of the most cordial description. Business men have been ready at all times to acknowledge the postmastsr's courtesy and exceeding readiness to afford all possible facilities. Although a native of Suffolk, Mr Spencley's postal career has hitherto been passed entirely in Scotland. On passing into the. service he entered the Glasgow Post Office as junior sorting clerk, and during the 27 years he was in the Glasgow office he passed through all the grades to that of chief clerk, and during the last ten months he was acting postmaster. He has been in Aberdeen, as already said, for six years and a half, and he now passes to Cardiff. which is a superior appointment alike in grade and importance. The salary attaching to the office in Cardiff is JE700.

HAVE You THTKB PHTLLXPS'S IS 6D TEA ? It is": a Triumph of the Tea Blending Art,. and is clistinctly superior he so-called ifnest teas. j PmLLlPS AND Co., TEA SPECIALISTS, sell a. tefj at 184«1 per lb. which they guarantee to be superiorin aU.resp&sts to thafc sold at "present-giving shops "'up to 2s€dperlb. £ uy$tt>. of Pbulins>sJs4d and compare,' it with "Prewntlavhlwtm" It will at least be in- strnctive, andwill open your eyses as-la how fïhe thing is done." Thereis raaOy mrmygtOT It's a mere commercial triek after an. 1460

CARDIFF RATES. I' COUNCILLOR ROBINSON'S VIEW. 1 PEARS NO FUTURE, Interviewed upon the question of prospective ;mcree.sa of Cardiff r-ttes, Councillor Sidney i Robinson,.said- "The discussion of the Cardiff rates question ^is most< opportune, and we owe our thanks to the Press for the^atteation that has been drawn to the subject. Now is the time to thresh it out, and if we are going wrong let us pause rather than commit ourselves too far. Before spending we must estimate what money we have to spend, and this can only be done by endeavouring to arrive at the probable ratable value of the town so many years hence. Let us take seven as the termination of the period most likely to see us with our present programme completed. Seven j years ago our population stood at 129,000 to-day it is probably 179,000—an increase of 38 par cent. Everything points to a continued growth at the same rate, and by the year 1905 we may expect Cardiff to be classed with the towns of upwards of a quarter of a million inhabitants.; 'To commercial advantages we now add echi- cational second to none in the United Kingdom, and these will certainly tell in the growth of the town. During the same period the ratable value of 'the,-borough advanced from S.697,000 to £ 927,000, or very nearly 33 per cent. Surely, with another great dock in course of construction and 1 "prospects of more expansion in this direction, it v is not imprudent to expect an increase in the same ratio, bringing the total ratable value up to. Xa,236,000 at the datei-with which we deal. Thus, whilst Id in the £ at each half-year yields to-day JE5,862, it would, in 1905, give us £ 5,150. Let us now turngto the expenditure pro- Jposed, working oat our figures upon the. assumption that oar loans can be raised at 2f ,per cent. not an unreasonable expectation, as mour.,3 per cent. Stock now pays the investor only1 ,'ls-per cent, more than that rate. The periods of 'repayment are those allowed by the various Acts and Local Government Board assents. I propose to divide what may be considered remunerative from unremunerative expenditure. Our present rate may be taken at 3s 11 Jd (exclusive of poor rate, raised by the guardians), namely, Is 6d per half-year for general district rate and 5fd per half-year borough rate. The money we expect to 'require is as under:— trNREMtrNEBATiVB WORKS. Interest and repayment. Cathays Park — £ 161,000 £ 5,509 Town Hall and Law Courts 225,000 8,334 Roads, Bridges, etc., Cathays Park 44,000 1,827 Liandaff 64,000 2,370 Cemetery extension 17,800 659 Roath Market 6,220 507 Sanatorium 21,600 1,066 Wood paving 73,952; 8,038 Miscellaneous sanctions 88,733 5,693 Street Improvements, etc., and various works. University College, cost of Act, etc 50,000 2,076 Western sewer. 120,000 4,983 Asylum 50,000 2,076 Water Works 100,000 3,900 11,022,305 £ 46,838 REMUNERATIVE WORKS. Tramways, say £ 250,000 Tramways, say £ 250,000 .Electric, lighting 55,960 FishMarket 14,500 The receipts from these undertakings will more than cover mterest and repayment. ADDITIONAL INCOME. Let us now see what additional income the town may hope to derive from various sources. Ground rents Victoria Park, Llandaff Fields, and Cathays Park £ 3,500 Present Town Hall site 4,000 .Water Works rate increase, seven years 15,000. Interest already charged on EM,000 over- draft. 6,000 yi'fZ- £ 28,500, An adverse balance £ 18,338 The Public Works Committee should not exceed by much its present expenditure owing to the fact that its heaviest prospective capital requirements are already provided for in the estimate, viz., western sewer and wood paving. Its present half-yearly budget amounts to £ 35,700, or a rate 01 9jd and with the increased ratable value already shown this amount will be met by a 7d rate seven years hence. The same may be expected of the Parks Committee, whose expenditure remaining practically statiQnary na'c I a I should yield in reduction of rates on the increased value from id to id per half-year. For the Health Committee, too, we have provided a substantial capital sum for Sanatorium exten- sion and, taking this into consideration, together with the reduced cost of cleaning streets-which we were told would obtain through the use of wood paving—surely we are not unreasonable in hoping that as the ratable value of the borough increases, 3d per half-year will suffice to cover the expenditure of this committee, instead of 4d as now. With the borough fund I have not dealt, but it will be noticed that a rate of 5d for each half-year has been allowed, whereas the d this year was the cost to us of our futile boundaries inquiry. This we may safely calculate to save in future years, gaining thus Wd on the year. It may be wiser not to take quite so sanguine a view as this. but for the reasons above stated the town has a right to expect that seven years hence the Public Works Committee's rate will be lessened by 2d on the year, the Parks by d, and the Health by Id per annum, a total saving of 3%d giving a gross amount of S,18,025, enough to .practically cover our deficit above stated of ( £ 18,338. It will be urged with some force that the present Town Hall site can hardly be avail- able for letting at the date we speak ox and no doubt during the period of transition some of the credits expected may hardly have matured, thus necessitating a temporary increase of rate. But this, I hold, can at no time exceed at most 2d for the half-year, and I much doubt its every going .beyond la, and -than only for a very short period. Surely we as ratepayers ought not to shrink from the prospect of this slight advance when we con- sider the immense advantages which will accrue 'to the town from our forward policy. Let us carry it through in its entirety, and thus estab- lish more firmly than ever the claim of Cardiff to (the title of Metropolis of Wales."

STICK SELLING AND THEFT CARDIFF MOTHER AND SON IN THE DOCK. It behoves Cardiff housewives to keep an eye on small children who come round for the osten- sible-purpose of selling sticks. At the Cardiff Police-Court on Tuesday (before the Stipendiary) Ellen Simmons, aged 53, and John Simmons, aged 10, were charged with stealing a pair of boots, value 4s, the property of Elizabeth Boyse, from 87, Stacey-road, on October 16th, and also with receiving the same well knowing them to have been stolen, and further with stealing three overcoats, value 25s, the property of William Hobert Baulkewell, 87, Stacey-road and receiving the same. A further charge was that of having stolen three pairs of boots, a pah of slippers, two loaves of bread, and a piece of bacon, value in all about 10s, the property of Samuel Rees, 57, Stacey-road. The elder prisoner waa-a forlorn-looking individual, with a baby at her breast, while the younger prisoner was a sharp, ehabby-faeed little fellow, with dark, -crafty -looking eyes, but still he looked the 3ort of fa.bric-from which, with ca.reful handling and suitable- environment, an honest and hard-, workinrmn might some day be evolved. Elizabeth Boyae, domestic servant, of 87, Stacey-road, spoke to having seen the younger prisoner about the house, where he often came begging and selling sticks. She had subsequently missed the boots. Further evidence showed that the elder prisoner had gone to Boma-sh and Sons, a pawnbrokers' shop in Broadway, and pawned the boots. Detective Davey gave evidence of having arrested the female prisoner, who had said, I haven't stolen no boots the boots I pledged my little boy brought home last night-he said they were given to him." Witness subsequently arrested the other prisoner, who said at the police station. Colgey Peters took me to some house and got them for me." At the police station the female prisoner said that her son told her that a lady at the minister's house had given them to him. On being charged to-day the elder prisoner said that.her husband had been out of work since last March, and that there were ten of them in family and that all she had been able to depend on were the few sticks sold by her little girl and boy. That made Is a day between ten. Then they had sometimes articles of clothing given to the boy in exchange for sticks, but they had practically nothing elae to live on. Evidenee.of the theft of the overcoats was thengnWby a son of the Rev. W. R. K. Banlkeryrellt and subsequently evidence was given regarding the theft from Samuel Hees, 57,,Sta<cey-road, the boots stolen from that place being found in a cupboard under the stairs m prisoners' house. The younger prisoner, on being charged said, Me and Johnny Leary en- tered tfie house, and.he stole the boots." The elder prisoner admitted having received the boots from her son and of having sold them, but said that she did not know they were stolen and thought they had beet) given to-her little boy. Prisoners were, both committed to take their trial at the Quarter Sessions. The elder prisoner was allowed out on bail of S,5 and the younger prisoner was committed to remain in the work- houso until the Sessions, which are'to -be held on Friday next.

PENNY IN THE SLOT GAS. CARDIFF GAS COMPANY TO BE APPROACHED. On Tuesday at a'meeting of the Cardiff Lights ing and Electrical Committee, Alderman P. W. Carey presiding, Councillor Crossma.n raised the question of the penny in the slot gas meter. He had approached the Gas Company with a, numer- ously signed petition from people in Cathays, and asked them ;to introduce these prepaid meters. The company replied that they were unable to do so at present, and he now asked the committee if they could move in the matter. The Chairman sai'I they were only connected with the Gas Com- pany in so far as.public lighting was concerned, but they could~emphaSise the opinion of one of the committee. Eventually it was agreed,, on. the proposition of Councillor Good, seconded by Alderman to approach the Gas Company with a view of asking them to reconsider their de-, ciaioa.

=:T- i ENOTANB'S GWHC MATCHES.—Save one dozen "Wrappers amtsand far purticaiars of Prizes to S. J. ,Moreland owl Sons, SEhigluuClX&ory ,D £ atch WorVs, Otouoestar. VbaalbcnahaB^gt I'm made entirely Jw "BrttiaHIisbOTir* 4M8

MINERS' ORGANISATION. LEADERS MEET IN CARDIFF. IMPORTANT RECOMMENDATIONS. On Tuesday at the Park Hotel, Cardiff, a joint meeting was held of the Provisional Committee and the Executive Committee of the newly-formed South Wales Miners' Association. In the absence, through indisposition, of Mabon, MJP., the- hair was occupied by Mr W. Brace, the vice-president, and the attendance included Alderman David Morgan, Messrs Daronwy Isaac, Rhondda John Williams, Skewen John Thomas, Garw Thomas Thomas, Cyfarthfa; John Eynon, Tre- degar David Thomas, Dowlais J. Woodward, Risca; D. Morgan, Wattstown; P. D. Rees, Aberaman Ben Davies, Pentre D. Morgan, Pontardulais D. Beynon, Maesteg Alfred Onions, Abercarn John Da.vies, Hirwain and Lewis Miles, secretary. Messrs T. Richards and Evan Thomas were absent,being engaged at home in connection with the Mabon's Day prosecution. The proceedings were private. One object of the meeting was to discuss the best method of deal. ing with the case of the aged workmen, who at many of the pits have not been reinstated after the strike owing to the CompensationlAct.General business in connection with the new organisation occupied the attention of the committee at great length, and. an agenda was drafted for the ad- journecle-onference of miners' delegates to be held at Cardiff on Monday next. It will be seen from the official report published J below that the committee will submit some very .important recommendations to the delegates on Monday. The chief of these has reference to the constitution of the body of representatives to act for the workmen on the Sliding Scale Joint Committee. At present these representa- tives are elected by ballot by the several districts, and the Sliding Scale members have for years past been to all intents and purposes the supreme. administrative body in all matters affecting the coalfield as a whole. Now, however, that the new organisation is taking shape, with a strong Executive Council at its head, the leaders fesl that in order to obviate the existence of two bodies exercising similar functions, and to con- centrate the efforts of the men in one direction, the Sliding Scale Committee should be merged in the Executive Council. To do this the pro- posal is now set forth that the new Sliding Scale members shall be elected out of the members of the 3aid Executive Council, and it is further sug- gested that in order to enable Monday's confer- ence to have a free hand in the matter, the elec- tions now pending of the new members of the Sliding Scale Committee be for the present post- poned. There are eleven members on the work- men's side of the Sliding Scale Committee the Executive Council, as now constituted, has nine members and four officials all told. It would perhaps be invidious to select eleven out of 13 to :act on the Joint Committee, but this difficulty will not be so great when the Council will, as soon it will, be reinforced by additional. members. Under the rules of the new society every district of over 3,000 members will have the right to elect one representative on the Council, and one other representative for every additional 6,000 mem- bers, so it will be seen that when the men are all organised within the new association the Exacu- tive Council will probably consist of 20 or 25 members. The present Sliding Scale Committee include members who will decline to sign the.new agreement; but the new members whoever they are must sign that document before they will be allowed to sit on the Joint Committee, and it may thus be assumed that when the Council comes to elect its eleven representatives on the Sliding Scale Joint Committee only those prepared to, .sign the agreement can be-selected. OFFICIAL REPORT. The committee of the newly-formed South Wales Miners' Association sat for seven hours to- day, and at the termination of the proceedings the following official report was furnished by Mr Lewis Miles, the secretary :— The meeting had been specially convened to consider whether further financial aid could be given out of the Central Relief Fund towards the aged and infirm workmen who have not been rein- stated at the collieries after the recent dispute. After some discussion, the committee resolved to continue for a while longer the payment of a fortnightly allowance to those who, previous to the lock-ont, were employed either in or about the collieries, and who have been refused employ- ment on the ground of old age or physical infirmity. Further discussion took place as to the subjects that will come before the adjourned miners' con- ference on Monday next. It was unanimously resolvect to recommend the following resolutions to the delegates at the conference :— 1. That this committee strongly recommend the conference not to have two General Com- mittees existing in the coalfield for the purpose of dealing with disputes, etc.; and in order that the Sliding Scale agreement shall be adminis- tered during the period for which it is signed that it be an instrncfiiou to the Executive Council of the South Wales Miners' Association to act as representatives of the workmen upon the Sliding Scale Joint Committee. 2. That in order that the conference may con- sider and discuss the foregoing proposal without being prejudiced by the Sliding Scale members having been newly elected, this committee strongly advises that all Sliding Scale elections now pending be postponed until after next Mon- day's conference. 3. That the monthly holiday question be again considered at Monday's conference. ft. That the conference appoint two auditors to audit the accounts of the Central Relief Fund. Several cases of dispute as to fatal and other accidents under the Compensation Act were re- ported from some of the districts, and it was re- solved that the various agents be allowed to pro- ceed with the casesUn the law courts, and that the costs in connection therewith be paid from the balance of the Central Relief Fund. The committee passed a vote of condolence with the widow and family of the late Mr J. W. Jones, financial secretary of the workmen's side oi the Sliding Scale Committee. An adjourned conference of miners' delegates of South Wales and Monmouthshire will be held at 10.30 a.m. on Monday next, at the Cory Hall, Cardiff, to consider the above matters, and this notice through the Press will be the only notice given thereof.

MINERS' "DAY OFF." MABON ON MABON'S DAY. Mr W. Abraham (Mabon), M.P., writes to us as follows This is a true copy of a letter sent to your contemporary for publication. Will you kindly insert the same in your next issue, and oblige ? [COPY OF LETTEK.J Sm,-On my arrival home this afternoon a kind friend called my attention to some remarks of yours that appeared in yesterday's Mail under the above heading, and in refutation of which let me hope that you have still left in you that which will permit the publication of my contradiction to the Dase and baseless assumption that the .Rhondda correspondent who wrote upon this subject, and whose mistaken probabilities appeared on Saturday last, was primed by me. Let me assure all that are concerned with his. and your erroneous remarks that I am in no way whatsoever responsible for what he wrote. Had, he consulted me, you may rest assured that he would not have written anything so wide the mark.—I am, yours truly, MABON. Monday Night, Oct. 17th, 1898.

ALDERMAN DAVID MORGAN AT ABERTILLERY, CHARACTERISTIC ADDRESS. On Monday evening Alderman David Morgan lectured at the Market Hall, AbertiUery. on "The Perils of the Mine," on behalf of the building fund for a new Congregational church., A procession, headed by two brass bands, escorted the venerable alderman to the meeting, which was presided over by Mr W. Brace. Alderman Morgan remarked tha,t the chairman had complained of the small attendance. Well, he (the speaker) would like to have seen it larger, too. But he was one of those men who were sometimes popular, sometimes unpopular,. 3ometimea at the top of the ladder, sometimes at the bottom of it. He was not always comfort- able when he was down, but he tried his best to accommodate himself under the circumstances. He had the pleasure of speaking to some 20,000 people when he came out of college"— (laughter and applause) — and since he had had audiences varying in numbers. He went into the pit when he was seven years of age, and worked there until he was 42, when he became too much of a fox to continue—(laughter) -a,nd he had had followers since, even in the person of the chairman. (Renewed laughter.) He should, he remarlied, like to see a. better feeling in the hearts of the middle classes towards the miners, and claimed that the latter were entitled to more respect from the country than they had received during his lifetime. Legislated had, it must be admitted, brought about great safety. They had mines inspectors, but they were no better than they ought to be. As a rule they were like the police constable, who generallyweut to the corner of the street when he knew every- thing was quiet. (Laughter.) Inspectors were not all alike; but he maintained that something ought to be done to compel them not only to visit a colliery after an accident, but to compel them to render such occurrences almost impossible. (Applause.) But they had too many kid gjoved inspectors, and though the inspectors had done a vast amount of good, there was much to be done and colliory in- spectors, instead of going down for an hour or two hours now and again, ought to be compelled to make minute examinations—go through the back streets of a colliery, so to speak, and not only the main thoroughfare, where they knew it was very safe. (Hear, hear, and applause.) Legislation was being pressed forward for safety in mines, but much or it resulted in tho introduction of traps, such as safety explosives, bonnetted lamps, etc,, which really did not fulfil the conditions guaranteed by their advocates. There was too much work by safety lamp to-day by one-half in South es. (Hear, hear.) Nearly every inspector wont in for it, in fact, they searched for gas in order to get an excuse for its introduction. What was their objset ? Well, he was not prepared to say he knew everything, bat ha had his own opinion and must give it—(applause)—and it was mis: They iifced to co"— <*>ms5 swty iifced to co"— explosion, but they desired the safety lamp becaase they were under the impression it was safer and would not necessitate their visiting the collieries so often. He contended that the best safeguard in every colliery was safe ventilation. (Applause.) He advised all workmen that if they desired to get proper safeguards in the mines and better conditions of living to organise. He con- gratulated the men of Abertillery district upon not having sold their birthright by contracting out of certain Acts of Parliament passed for their benefit, and remarked that if they sent men to Parliament in their behalf and declined to take full advantage of such measures, they were discouraging those who bad legislated for them. (Applause.)

MABON'S DAY REVOLT. ACTIONS AGAINST EBBW VALE AND RHYMNEY MEN. At Tredegar Police Court on Tuesday after- noon (before Dr. W. E. Williams, in the chair, Messrs T. P. Pugh and W. Steadman) two batches of colliery workmen were summoned by the Rhymney lion Company pnd the Ebbw Valo Steel, Iron, and Coal Company for having ab- sented themselves from work on October 3rd, the damages in each case being playl at 5s. Con- siderable interest was taken in*he proceedings, large numbers of workmen being present in court from both districts. The Rhvmney cases-12 in all—were taken first. Mr V. Simons, Pontypridd, appeared for the Rhymney Iron Company, and Mr D. Evans, Brecon, defended. Mr Evan Thomas, miners' agent, Pontlottyn, was present. It was agreed that the case against David Benjamin Evans, Rhymney, should apply to the others. Samuel James, weigher at the Maerdy Pit, produced contract book No. 1, and said defendant signed it in his presence. Mr Evans asked Mr Simons if he was prepared to produce contract book No. 2, notice of which be (Mr Evans) had given him at Merthyr the previ- ous day. Mr Simons objected, for the reason that he had claimed damages for breach of contract. He put in that contract, and declined to pat in book No. 2. D The Clerk (Mr E. H. Davies): Nothing has. arisen on it yet, Mr Evans mantained that it had all to-do with the matter, and inasmuch as there were two con. tract books he was entitled to'have both before the court. Mr Simons What is known as contract 2'in the colliery- Mr Evans: I object to my friend saying, anything further on this point. The Clerk If you have got it put it in in the interests of the workmen for what it is worth. Mr Simons,: I went through the same farce at Merthyr yesterday. Mr Evans The farce was conducted before a learned Stipendiary, who took part. Mr Simons: And pointed out that this had really nothing to do with the case. Samuel James porous-examined): The men who signed book 1 signed book 2, so far as he knew.. He did not know if the following words were struck out of book 2 after all the men had signed,, end such an amount as is necessary for the pay-, ment of the wages of the checkweigher, and also rents in respect of any tenements." The Clerk did not see what this had to do with., the matter. Mr Evans contended that if a document signed. by parties to a contract were altered since the parties signed it then, it was not the true basis of1 the contract entered'into. i Further crossnexamined 'Witness said he had; heard that men had been at times unable to. worK on account of no lebmps being provided. He had known of the men being allov.ed a day off on > fequTnUo 1879°. COm^ both Prior attd sub- sequent to 1879. Mr Simons remarked that a deal had been said.. mg.0ut of the c°ntract .being a viola- tion of tne customs of the,1879 agreement, but the toct remained that it was never tho custom at the ,1 w1uney ToiL8-to deduct checkweighers' wages, rtSfge,ueval manager, said that on Tir? i.9t!lbePtemkei-'Ile saw the men's secretary, Mr D. Davies, and two other workmen, who said there would be no work the following Monday. Jta the presence of the workmen's agent, Mr Evan' Thomas witness told them that it would be a breach of contract, and he afterwards wrote to the secretary to that effect. No work took place on the Monday. The loss in output at the Maerdy and New Duffryn Pits would be about 100 tons m each case, aud the deadwork and other charges were aiso going on. The damage was put at 5s. Witness had suggested that the men should stop on the Monday at 1 o'clock to attend the meeting proposed, and that they should work it back during the week. Cross-examined Some of the men might have » signed book 2jbefore the item of checkweigher' was expunged. This bad been done without con- sulting those who might have signed it; but it was not the custom to stop checkweighers' money at the company's collieries, and the Coalowners' Association had instructed that this clause only applied to collieries where it had been previously in force. By the Clerk: The signing of contract 2 was optional, and did not bind the men to No. 1 book or vice versa. David Lewis, under manager, posted notices at Maerdy and New Duffryn Pits at 4.30 p.m. on Saturday, October 1st, setting forth that if the workmen absented themselves on the Monday wiiiioat reasonable excuse they would be pro- ceeded against. The men left work a 2 o'clock, but Yiitness knew that several men had seen the notices Mr Evans addressed the Bench at length, and pointed out that the customs of December, 1879, were included in 9:-1. of the Scale agreement of 1892, and although Mabon's Day was abolished as a holiday by the 1898 agreement,jit was not intended by any of the agreements to deprive the men of having a day off for the transaction of their.business. There was no proof of any signa- ture on the part of the company to boolc No. 1. If the Bench were not with him on the legal point, he appealed to them to consider the moral bearings, which were distinctly in favour of the damages being small, having regard to the fact that the men gave notice to absent themselves on this particular day, after which the company did not put up their notices until the previous Saturday afternoon, some two and a half hours after the men had left work. The company agreed to withdraw the sum- monses against Daniel Jones on a medical certifi- cate, and Thomas J. John, who presented him. self at the colliery, but for whom there was no work. The Bench retired, and upon returning into Court the Chairmau said they considered there had been a breach of contract, and the persons summoned would have to pay 53 damages and the Court fees. The summonses against William Howells and 47 other employees of the Ebbw Vale Company were then called. Mr T. G. Powell, Brynmawr, represented the plaintiffs and Mr D. Evans again; defended. Mr T. Richards, miners' agent for the. Ebbw Vale district, also watched the proceedings. Two of the summonses were withdrawn owing to' exceptional circumstances, Mr Evans admitted the breach, and said he only intended to deal with the question of damages on the general grounds that the company had been able to tul- fil all their contracts, that they were now short of contracts, and that the men were not fully em- ployed, which went to show that little or no damage had been sustained. He remarked that the Ebbw Vale Company had acted in a manner highly praiseworthy, and he did not think they would have instituted these proceedings uuless forced to do so. He wished to acknowledge on behalf of the men the conciliatory spirit shown by Mr Tallis, the general manager. After consulta- tion the cases were adjourned until the 6th December by the consent of both parties. AW MORE SUMMONSES. At Aberdare Police Court on Tuesday Mr C Kenshole applied for another batch of sum-, mouses agaiust 12 workmen at the Cwmamau Colliery,who had absented themselves from work on Tuesday last on the occasion of the hearing of the summonses against some workmen who were!-a,bsent on Mabon's Day. The summonses were granted and made returnable for next Tues- day.

SUICIDE AT CARDIFF. James Spital McKelvia (30) was found hanging to his bedpost at his lodgings, 34, Talbot-stceet, Canton, on Tuesday. Deceased, who was a member of the firm of Messrs Kyte, Atlas Iron Foundry Works, Atlas-road, Canton, had lodged in Talbot-street for the past five years, and when on Monday evening about 10 o'clock he retired to bed he was observed to be in his usual good health and spirits. About 10 a.m. on Tuesday the land- lady's little girl, while passing Mt McKelvia's bedroom door, thought she heard him snoring rather heavily,, and communicated the fact to her mother. Shortly afterwards Mr Kyte called at the house to see deceased on some business. Mrs Ford (the landlady) went upstairs to wake .Mr McKelvia, but on knocking at the door she rer-eived no answer. She then summoned Mr Kyte, who-on entering found deceased hang- ing by a strap to the bedpost. Dr. J. R. James, who was called in, cut the body down but life was then extinct. No explanation is forthcoming as to the motives which led deceased to the commission of the act beyond the bare fact that he was nor- mally of a melancholy disposition, and especially depressed on Monday. Mr McKelvie, who was unmarried, was temperate in his.habits,.and as far as is known, free from financial embarrass- ments. He joined Mr Kyte in the Canton engi- neering business about four years ago, and was a member of the Cardiff detw mento tilc Gbriior- ganshfre Yeomanry.

CARDIFF CABBIE REPROVED. At Cardiff Police Court on Tuesday William Ellis, cabman, was charged wi th leaving his horse and vehicle unattended outside the Dorothy in High-street. The little cabby came up smiling, with the remark to the Stipendiary, You know it's a quiet horse, sir you used to hftrelt." The Stipendiary I never yet had a horse that could be safely left unattended. Such a statement only aggravates your offence.—Defendant was fined 29 6d and costs.

-=-=- PURLMPS AND Co., TEA SPECIALIST* sell a, tea. at is 4d per lb. which they guarantee to be superior ill all respects to that sold at present-giving shops up to 2s 6d per lb. Buy Jib. of Phillips's ls4dand compare it with the present-giving tea. It will at least be in- structive, and will open your eyes as to bow the thing is done." There is really no mystery about it It's a mere commercial trick.after all. 7460 GEORGE NAxEj["s is the title of Miss Braddon's latest story, which is a romance of life in high places,, has been seenxed for publication ia the Cardiff Timts mnd Smith W-aies Wt-eJdy Ntass. The test in.tahuent, wfll appear on October 23th. HAVE You TBISD PHTX.T.TT>S'S IS 6D TEA ? It a Triumph of the Tea Blending Art^&ncl is diSttuclily superiortotfte so-called?'^ifnest teas"

THE STEAM COAL TRADE. AMERICAN COMPETITION WITH SOUTH WALES. A REPLY TO MR D. A. THOMAS, M.P., TO THE EDITOR. Sm,On my return to this country after an absence of some weeks in the United States, my attention has been called to a report in your issue of August 22nd last of a speech delivered by Mr D. A. Thomas, M.P., at Dowlais, in which my firm is alluded to in connection with our position as European agents for the Pocahontas steam coal of Virginia, U.S.A. The aim of Mr Thomas's remarks was to throw ridicule upon what he has upon every previous occasion described as the bogey of foreign competition in relation to Cardiff coal. It is to be regretted that a gentleman aspiring to lead and advise the miners of South Wales should persistently not only close his eyes to im- portant existing facts, but mislead his constitu- ents by loose arguments based on entirely incor- rect data. Mr Thomas refers to a letter of my firm's in the Times in August last calling the attention of the miners of South Wales to the unprece- dented incident of our having, owing to the strike, been able to import cargoes of Pocahontas steam coal into London for the supply of one of our most important steamship companies (to wit, the Castle Royal Mail Steam Packet Company, running be- tween this country and South Africa). Our object in making this known is not to intimi- date the Welsh miners, as stated, but to make known to -them and those in a position to advise them, a very important and significant fact directly bearing upon their then course of action, so that it might come home to them that there were other steam coals in the world which would not merely take the place of Cardiff coal during a temporary suspension of supplies of the latter description, but successfully compete with it in ordinary times at something approaching ordin- ary cost in South Wales. Now, sir, when I tell you that not only did my Now, sir, when I tell you that not only did my firm import the cargoes referred to into London, .and that at shillings below the cost stated by Mr Thomas, which was merely an incorrect estimate .on his part (and whom it will, moreover, relieve, to learn that we were able to make a reasonable profit on the transaction), but further during the, last-six weeks of the strike about 100,000 tons of Pocahontas coal were shipped from Norfolk to markets previously supplied from Cardiff, some important orders being actually filled for the Far East, and that had the strike lasted another two or three weeks we should probably have well nigh doubled; the above quantity, I think you will admit that it was a friendly act on our part to our friends the miners of South Wales to tell admit that it was a friendly act on our part to our friends the miners of South Wales to tell them what was being done, and that we were not merely consulting our own immediate selfish I' interests in making the fact public. It is recognised oy every business man that a new aorticle displacing an old one, even tempor- arily, not infrequently displaces the latter per- manently and fortgood, and there are undoubtedly Hin the present case evidences that the introduc- tion of Pocahontas coal in certain markets during the past few months is likely if not certain to displace Cardiff coal to a very large extent. I may perhaps be allowed to state that our own interests are not entirely bound up in or depen- dent upon Pocahontas coal. As a, matter of fact, we are in reality more largely interested in Car- diff coal by three'or four tunes, and consequently we may at once be exonerated from any feeling -of hostility or antagonism to the interests of the South Wales coal market. But there is nothing to be gained by deliberately ignoring facts, ana this Mr Thomas seems to be desirous of doing in the present case. Not only is he very far ont in his guess at the cost of the cargoes of Pocahontas into London, but this arises from a deliberate want of know ledge of the f.o.b. cost of Pocahontas coal cargoes at Norfolk, Va. (Hampton Roads). Now, had Mr Thomas taken the trouble to ask the question my firm would have at once quoted him our price, which at the time he was speaking was not 139 6d as stated in his speech, but nearer 8s, at which it is obtainable to an unlimited extent, so that we could without hesitation contract at once for hundreds of thousands of tons for delivery within a short period at this price, guaranteeing at the same time quicker despatch in loading cargoes at ,our piers in Hampton Roads than could be con- templated at Cardiff or Barry. One cargo of about '6,000 tons was loaded recently in 27 hours. Now, as to the quality of Pocahontas coal as ■ compaared with Cardiff. Mr Thomas tells the Welsh miners that it is "really inferior to second class Rhondda coal and "only a bit better than best Welsh small." Well, sir, in reply to this I may state as a definite fact that the White Star and Cunard Companies, which have made their record eastward passages on Pocahontas coal, and have used nothing else from New York for the past five years, besides many other firms and companies which have used the coal for years, could and no doubt if asked would tell Mr Thomas a very different tale. Quite recently I have been personally informed by the chief engineers of the Liucania and the Teutonic, by both of which steamers I was a passenger, that the results-ob- tained from Pocahontas ware just about the same, both in respect of consumption and steaming, as from bast Cardiff, while infinitely superior to those obtained from North Wales and other descrip- tions which they were compelled to use during the recent strike. One of these gentlemen further stated that the surplus in bunkers on arrival in Liverpool is generally in excess of what had been calculated on. I could even cite cases in which Pocahontas coal has been found to be actually superior to Cardiff coal. According to chemical analyses it is about the same in carbon, sulphur, and ash. Now, sir, these are facts, and I think I have said enough to prove that Mr Thomas is ill-advised to persist in his ostrich-like policy of hiding his eyes in the sand to shut out unpleasant truths, and is assuming a serious responsibility in addressing the South Wales miners on erroneous data on matters so closely affecting their welfare. I trust you will see your way to do me the favour of insertiug this letter, although so long a time has unavoidably been allowed to pass since the date of Mr Thomas's speech. Before closing allow me to express my satisfac- ,tion on personal grounds that a struggle which has been the cause of so much distress and suffering to so many thousands in South Wales has been brought to an end, and the hope that such another calamity to the district may never. again occur.-I am, &c., E. C. P. HULL. 4, Fenchurch-avenue, E.C., and at Cardiff.

UNPROFITABLE COAL WORKING. BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS AT PONTYPRIDD. At the Pontypridd Bankruptcy Court on Tues- day (before the Registrar, Mr E. C. Spickett), Samuel Griffiths, senior, brake-driver, 12, Mor- gan's-terrace, Eirw, Porth, and Samuel Griffiths, junior, 2, Brvnderwen-villas, colliery proprietor, carrying on business as S. Griffiths and Son, at the Cilfynydd Colliery, came up for their public examination. Mr W. L. Daniel, official receiver, was present, and Mr J. Bryant, solicitor, appeared for the debtors, and Mr W. R. Davies, •solicitor, for creditors. The statement of affairs showed that the gross liabilities amounted to R275 13s 7d, of which £200 16a lid were expected to rank. The deficiency was S200 16s lid, and the assets were returned as nil. The failure was attri- butable to legal proceedings against the debtors by Thomas James, a former partner, who obtained judgment last July for 1116 10s. Accord- ing to the Official Receiver's observations, the bankrupt^ with Thomas James, commenced busi- ness at the level, which stands alongside the main road at Cilfynydd in January, 1894, each putting Y,20 into the concern. The connection with James was severed in Juno, 1894, and the bank- rupts stated that they became aware of their insolvency three years ago. They, however, continued to work the colliery in the hope that they would prosper. The high bailiff was in possession in respect of the judgment obtained by the former partner at the date oi the receiving order, and on the 1st ult. the debtors gave a bill of sale on their effects to a firm that were creditors for £22, the consideration being a sum of RPL advanced at the time, and the amount now due in respect of that bill of sale was XW. Debtors had no separate estates, and only kept a receipts and payments book. The junior debtor stated that his wages for the last twelve months amounted to £78 10s. Asked by the Official Receiver what led to the staring of the colliery, Griffiths, jun., stated that James and himself were working as colliers, but as they concluded they were being victimised about the valley and could not get work always, he found the level. James wanted to join him, :and his father afterwards joined them. Whan James, who was paid 5s a day after coal had been struck smd 3s 4d before then. left in June, 1894, he (debtor) offered to pay him out for £20, but he refused and asked for Z30. This they declined to pay him unless he bought the other two out.- The Official Receiver asked how debtor came to allow this debt to go on.—Debtor contended it yvas not an honest debt, though he would not say it was illegal. It was valued on a wrong basis.- The Official Receiver Say it is excessive—don't sav it is dishonest. Debtor could not say what he had done with the £ 25 on the bill of sale, but he had to keep the colliery open. He owed < £ 16 Is for royalty upon 602 tons, at the rate of .6d a ton. from the 27th May to the 19th August.—Mr Daniel observed that he did not think sufficient assets would be realised to pay the high bailiff, without thinking of r,DY-SltiCS-- Cross-examined by Mr W. R. Davies, debtor said he sold his property to his brother-in-law, Mr Edmund Evans, schoolmaster, Aber, for iClOo. He admitted that he informed Mr Evans of the judgment against him at the time. Mr .Uavies stated that there was nothing iu 'hecash book produced with reference to the ZlOO. Debtor stated that of the amount he received about £30 or R40. He owed £30 to Mr Evans for money borrowed. X50 was paid to Mr Bryant, and £.30 to Mr Evans. He would rather see him paid than 8. stranger. He offered E25 to James before filing his petition. He made up his mind that he would not pay more than James had spent. He couldn't pay the amount of the judg- ment. The remaining £ 20 had gone somewhere," but where he could not say. He went to Mr Lewis, from whose firm he had bought corn, and asked for a, loan of R25 on a bill of sale to carry on the business, although a writ had been served upon him previously by the Same firm. Mr Davies stated that the money received on the bill of sale had not been accounted for in any way, and eventually the examination was adjourned to-enable the debtors to give the required particulars with reference to that and the disposal of the S.100-a transaction rioeb.ux 1?4 wbjcb Mr Q.eWQe.

WELSH GOSSIP. The name of Mr LI. B. Atkinson, electrical v engineer, Cardiff, appears in the prize list of the Institution of Civil Engineers for 1897-8 as the recipient of a Telford Premium. There is to be no Welsh test piece in the chief choral competition at the Cardiff National Eisteddfod next year. Writing of this in the Ctrddor, Mr D. Jenkins, MuB. Bac.. declares that the Cardiff Committee have thus broken a custom that has been in existence for fifteen years. Mr Trevor Evans, the well-known tenor from Morris (ton, is seeking other worlds to conquer Havings established a high reputation as a vocalist, he now joins the ranks of the com- posers, and his first effort, the settin to music of Dewi Peris's words Ruy'n Myn'd," gives promise of great things. The visitors'book in one of the Llandrindod boarding-houses contains the following apos. trophe of the town by a lady hailing froa Corwen :— Mae llawr o lanau yn hen Walia lonydd, Hen lanau a'u henwau yn anwjl i ni; Llangollen, Llanrhaidr. Llanbadarnodwyn, Llandderfel, Llandrillo, a Llanfair P. G., Does un Llan yn Nghymru na Lloegr'ran hynj Mor awfully jollf am wythuos o wyl A Llan tlws Llandrindod, v nae ynlle hynod Am chwareu a chanu a digon o hwyl. The Hon. Walter Fitz-Urien Rice, son and heir of Lord Dynevor, who was married last week to Lady Margaret Child Villiers, is a scion of one of the most illustrious houses of Walea, being descended from Sir Rhys ap Thomas, who more than any other man of the period facili- tated the accession of Harry, Earl of Richmond, to the English Throne. Tradition relates that it was by the hand of this valiant Welsh chieftain that Richard III. met his doom on Bosworth Field. At any rate. Richmond gave the glory of the day to Iyr Rbys, and on his accession to the throne showered favours ou his ,hea.d and made him governor of all Wales. Jaws have for centuries been cosmopolitan "of very nation under heaven," as tho writer of the Acts of the Apostles truly describes them.. Yet can we say that there are, or ever has been, such people as Welsh Jews ? There was once a Welsh Nonconformist minister of the highest eminence, whose mother was a Jewess. He himself had a very striking and venerable appearance, possessing to the full that type of features which we commonly associate with the chosen people, and would have passed for a Jew anywhere. Still he was only half a son of Abraham. The man who is full Jew and full Cvmro-at the same time has yet to be met. The Calvinistic Methodists have just completed their arrangements for the 1899 synodical exami- nation of candidates for the ministry. The sub- jects selected are—1. General knowledge of the Scripture examiner, the Rev. Dr. J. Cynddylan Jones, of Whitchurch. 2. The Gospel of St. John examiner, the Rev. Dr, Thomas Raes, of Cefncoedycymer. 3. The doctrine of the Atonement; examiner, the Rev. David Evans,M.A ,of Barmouth. 4. Church history from the year 70 A.D. to 312 A.D. ex- aminer, the Rev. Edward Parry, M.A., Newtown, Mont. This year's examination is to be held this week—in North Wales at Mold. and in South Wales at Tylorstown. The Cymru for October has just been issued, and like its predecessors is replete with matter of great interest to lovers of Welsh literature. Mr O. M. Edwards has a commendable partiality for illustrations, and the number under notice is, in this respect, one of the best we have yet seen. Welsh editors has a rule are overfond of borrow- ing old blocks from English publishers The editor of Cymru on the other hand believes in encouraging native talent, and one of the many charms of his various magazines is that the sketches are original, and made to illustrate the articles, a welcome change from the old custom of writing artioles to illustrate the blocks. Mr S. Maurice Jones, the Welsh artist, con- tributes to the current number of Cymru an excellently written description of David Cox's Welsh landscapes, with special reference to his connections with the Conway Valley. The neighbourhood of Bettws-y-Coed is, in the summer months, the haunts of countless painters, axxd Mr Manric0 Jones, while welcoming his brother artists to Wales, has nothing but un- diluted contempt to pour upon those of his countrymen who in their eagerness to welcome John Bull aid and abet the said John in his slaughter of old Welsh place-names. It would seem," declares Mr Maurice Jones, that such names as Pont ty Nyll, Pont y Pair, Llyn y Bod, Ffrith Goch, and many others are among the things of the past, and that, according to the latest revised rendering, we must henceforth inquire for Uglyhouse Bridge, Liniebod, Pont Pare, and Betsi Coed 1" Mr David Jenkins, Mus. Bac., in the October number of the Ccrddor laments the valuable time lost over the choral contests at our National Eisteddfodau. He pictures the crowded condi- tion of the Festiniog pavilion and the prevailing excitement during those contests, and pertinently asks whether the results justified that excitement, and the waste of time and patience that followed. In the course of three hours," he adds, we had but two choruses and one part song, and an important part of the ehoruses—the instrumental accompaniment—had been left out. In that space of time we might have had a complete performance of some of the chief oratorios." He fears, and rightly so, that the great crowds assembled not so much for love of music as be- cause of a desire to see the fight," and he points out regretfully that so far all attempts made in Wales to create a desire to hear the chief musical compositions of the world at a national musical festival have utterly failed. A Newquay man writes asking for a liat ot Welsh proper names. The following short list may be interesting and useful:—For males suit. able »nd appropriate names would be Alun, Aneurin, Madog, Dewi, Gwyddno, Tegid, Glyn, Emrys, Taliesin, Morfan, Llywarch, Gwion, Llewelyn, Eniou, Idris.Merddin.Tudur, Gruffydd, Hywel, Cai. Bedwyr, Gareth, Merlin, Gwyn, Eiddon, Sandde, Morgant, Modred, Eidol, Meurig, Caradoc, Iorwerth, Owain, Rhiwallon, Meilir, Dyfan, Elfan, Cynog, Cledwyn, Ger- wyn, Dyfrig, Rhuw, Cadog, Bryehan, Bleddyn, while suitable names for females would ba Tanglwst, Gwladys. Arianwen, Nefyn, Gwawr, Eleri, Lleian, Ceridwen, Morfydd. Goleu- ddydd, Elined, Dwynwen, Ceinwen, Rhonwen, Eurfyl, Eurgain, Luned, Gwyneth. Non, Meinirr Earonwy, Eigen, Gaynor, Angharad, Olwen, Branwen, Gwenddydd, Enid, Bciddug. Eurdydfylt Gwenhywfar, Gwenllian, Megan, Gwenonwy, Nest, Mabli, Mailt. American papers to hand show that Dr. Joseph Parry, of Cardiff, safely reached Salt Lake City, Utah, on the afternoon of Monday, the 26th of September. The doctor, declares the Deseret Evening News, looked none the worse for the long journey. He was met at the railway station by ex-Governor Thomas and a committee of repre- sentative Welshmen, who extended to him a warm welcome and escorted hm to the Kenyan. Interviewed by the Do* Mt Tribune reporter of Salt Lake City, Dr. Parry said :—" I am not a stranger to America, although this is the first time I hrfve been in the United States for very many years. Nor have I ever been so far west before. I have been into Iowa and Minnesota years ago, but never came further west. Your Rocky Mountains are wonderful, a-bit like the Alps, but-so much more colossal, and it was sur- prising to me to see how this part of the country is advancing, i orty years ago there was nothing onthere but mountains and deserts, and now- the change is wonderful. I came over to America solely at the request of my Utah friends to attend ls^ I spent several weeks in Ohio and Tennessee visiting relatives that I had not seen for twenty.seven years. I shall remain here only during the Eisteddfod and shall return immediately to Wales to take up my work in the niversity of South Wales and Monmouthshire at Cardiff, where my home is." Dr, Joseph Parry, of Cardiff, is the lion of the season in Suit Lake City. The local papers pub- lished hoge portraits and long biographies of the Welsh celebrity, and the leaders of Utah society rush to do him honour. One Salt Lake journalist describes him as a dietingcisLeu looking gentleman who would be picked out among a thousand as a personage of distinction. His hair, somewhat long, and sprinkled thickly with gray, he wears brushed back from his fore- head, and a pair of very jolly gray eyes twinkla behind his glasses." President Joseph F. Smith, of Utah, vice-president of Salt Lake and Los Angelos Railway, ran a special train to convey the doctor and his friends to Saltain, and tl-o party included President Smith, the Hon. Erig- ham Young, and other aristocrats of the Mor- mon persuasion. Several receptions and enter- tainments were also held in honour of the visitor.

"AT LABOT," a new story by E. W. HorttW»g, le now appearing In the "Cardiff Times and South One ^aty'two CPlwans

%xxthx> .fIarrÍngt5, anh Duatfrs. Notices of Births, Marriages, and Deaths. Is each, if not exceeding fO words. and 6d for each extra 10 words. MARRIAGE. JENKINS—WALTERS—On the 18th October, at Penuel (C.M.) Chapel, Ferndale, by the Rev. B. Wat kins (pastor), James J. Jenkins. secretary of the Ferndale Co-operative Society, to Elizabeth Walters, of North-street. Ferndale. 7573 DEATHS. Jomsa—On Saturday, John Jones, Roberts' Arms, Aberdare, aged 40, "after a very brief illness. Deeply regretted. Funeral at Aberclare Cemetery on Wednesday, at 3.30 pan. Gentlemen only. x225 THOMAS.—On Monday, at Panteg House, Bedwas Bridge, Bedwas, Thomas, second son of Mrs Prances Thomas. Funeral to take place on Thnrs- day, 2.30 P.m. Friends please accept this intima- tion. WrcLiAirs.—Oct. 18th, at PoplarCottage, Porthcawl, Alice Williams, aged 96 years. Private funeral Friday. No flowers by request. IN MEMORIAM. HtrtVLKY.—In loving memory of Fanny, beloved wife of Walter James Hurley, Whitworth-terrace, Tredegar, who died October 19th, 1897. Gone, but not forgotten." 52 LLEWELLYN.—Mrs Edwin Llewellyn and family having been made the recipients of a very large number of messages and letters condoling with them in their sad hoar of trial and sorrow, beg to thmir all for their kind wishe3 and words, also those who kindly sent wreaths. The large number precludes a reply being sent to each.

The LONDON OFFICES of the South Wales Daily News are at 46, Fleet-street (opposite Fetter-lane), where advertisements are received up to 4.45 p.m. for insertion in the following day's issue. The Sooth Wales Daily Netos may be obtained immedi- ately after the arrival of the 10.15 train at the Offices, 46, Fleet-street; at Messrs W. H. Smith and Sons Bookstall, Paddington Station; at Messrs Everett and Son's, 17, Royal Exchange; and at Messrs, Everett and Son's, Salisbury-square, Fleet-street.

TINPLATE TRADE. FOXHOLE DISPUTE. Tha men at the three big mills at the Foxhole Works are still idle but have been offered the price paid at neighbouring works, this to be made retrospective. There is reason to be- lieve that the men will accept these terms, and that actions they have instituted for money with- held will be abandoned. CONSUMPTION OF TINPLATES IN THE STATES. The consumption of tinplates in,the United States for the year ending June 30th, 1898,is said to have been 713.724>1541bs., a considerablei increase over the same period ending June 30th, 1897, which W8.3 553,273,4161bs. Whether this increase of consumption will contmae'this year ia doubtful, as advices show that the salmon pack; on the Pacific coast will be one third less it was in 1897, and as regards the consumption: of coke plates in the South, ifc^has-hsen -very dis- 1 appointing. The hopes of those who ,baiI given; large orders.for cans have not been-realised, and, it is understood that as a result many of the can' makers are carrying over large-stocks of unused cans and tinplate. The tomato' pack in Mary- land is said to be forty psr cent. below the; average. All this will check consumption of tinplates. In the United'States to-day thare.are 43 works with a total of 251 mills, with the capacity to produce seven and a half million. boxes per annum. In active operation in Wales there are only 59 works with 286 mills, with a capacity for producing some 7,600,000 boxes per annum. In December, 1897, the Americans exported 4,1441bs. In August last they exported 10,444 boxes. ALLEGED DANGERS OF FLUX. A MANUFACTURER'S OPINION. Years ago a conflict took.place in the tinplate trade as to the poisonous nature of the chemical, known as "flux," which is usedin-the coating of tinplates. Specialists were brought down from London, and scientific analysis gave the. verdict in favour of the employers. To this day,, however, a large section of the men are con- vinced that dux is poisonous, and iiold that tin- plates coated with flux are not half as good as those manufactured in the old fashioned way with the aid of grease pots. A-correspondent has interviewed a Llanelly manufacturer about it. He said the.pl.^tes«were axs good as if roa>nu- 'factured by the old process, and the question of the poisonous nature of the flux had been settled, long ago. Grease was now used in conjunction with flux. The question of poisoning from tinned meats was introduced in connection with the matter, and on this point the emjJtoyer observed, If you can trace the increase in. such cases of Doisoning to have .commenced from 1891.1 shrill be quite prepared to believe that it is due to the inferior quality of the plates manufactured by the Americans. It is their plates that would mostly be used for tinned meats, and as a con- firmation of this remark you may have noticed that a short time ago it was reported in an American journal,.and reproduced in tUe Welsh papers, that terne plates for roofing purposes were being discarded in America because of their want of durability, and it was admitted in the same newspaper that the Welsh plates suited the purpose weiL

PRINCESS CHRISTIAN AT RIPON. AN ALARMING ACCERENT. An alanaing accident occurred at Ripon to a carriaige in which Princess Christian-was driving. The horse of Lieutenant Butler, an officer of the escort of the Yorkshire Hussars (Yeomanry), < suddenly plunged and caught its hind leg in the; back whesl of the carriage. The officer was. thrown, but not badly injured. The Princess alighted aaad walked to the hall with the bishop.