South Wales Daily News

NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENTS. Contributions sent to the South. Wales Daily Netts should be plainly written in ink, and invariably on one side of the paper. We desire to urge upon our numerous correspondents the valueof conciseness and the desirability of curtailing the length of their communications. It cannot be too clearly under- stood that-brief and pointed letters receive the first attention. All communications intended for inser- tion must be authenticated by the name and address of the writer, not necessarily for pnblica tion. but as a guarantee of good faith. No notice will be taken of anonymous letters. Rejected com- munications will not be returned.

Ittrtljs, iHarriages, auti Beatljs. NUicet of Births, Marriages, ami Deaths, Is eath, x! not exceeding to woi dt. and 64 f" each extra 10 WOTIV. MARRIAGE. DAVCES —QOLDINO.—September 20th. at Ebenezer Congregational Chapel, Tylor3town, by the Rev. O. H. Hughes. Arthur Davies, Boot Stores. Tylors- town, to Lily Gelding, of Ystrad Rhondda. 3934 JONES—GBIFFTTHS.—On Sept. 24th, at St. Paul's Church, Grangeton, by the Rev. F. P. Hill, vicar, Beatrice, youngest daughter of the late Christopher Griffiths, Penarth Dock Hotel, Grangetown, to William Price, youngest son of James Jones. Bwlchyfedwen, Pontshaen, Llandyssii. 151 DEATHS. BI9COMBE.—At Abercarn, Sunday, Philip Biscombe, 68. bootmaker. Public funeral, 1.15 train Wednes- day for AbartiBery. No flowers. 182 DAVID—At her residence, near Saundersfootv Sep- tember 25th, Susannah, widow of the late Thomas David, Foundry, in her 76th year. 175

The LONDON OFFICES of the South Wales Daily New are at 46, Fleet-street (opposite Fetter-lane) where advertisements are received up to 4.45 p.tn for Insertion in the following day's issue. The South Wales Daily Netex maybe obtained immedi- ately after the arrival of the 10.15 train at tlieofficeq. 46. Fleet-street; at Messrs W. H. Smith and Sons Bookstall, Paddington Station; at Messrs Willing and Co., Ltd, 17, Royal Exchange: and at Messrs Everett and Son's, Salisbury-square. Fleet-street.

THE DECISIVE DESPATCH. W. publish to-day the despatch addressed on Friday evening to the Transvaal Government, and regard it as decisive," because, not withstanding the ominous closing sentence, it opens to the Boer Ministry a broad way out of the did- culty in which they stand. Her MAJBSTv s Government declare specifically not only that they have no desire to interfere with the independence of the Transvaal," but that they offer a complete guarantee" of that inde- pendence, and are acting only in protec. tion of British subjects resident in the Republic. Their object, they affirm, is to obtain such a substantial and imme- diate representation of the Uitlanders as would" relieve them from any necessity for further interference." This being so, her MAJESTY'S Government express profound regret at the refusal sent from the Transvaal to their former proposals. Had those former proposals been couched in terms similar to this latest despatch there would doubtless have been no rejection; and we anticipate with no small degree of confidence a new and very favourable turn to the negotiations, seeing that such specific declarations ought to suffice for removal of the fears of the Boers, and see. ing also that, given such assurances as this despatch affords, the Boers have pretty plainly intimated their willingness to come to terms. True, there is the old suzer- ainty difficulty, with some other items of disputation but there is nothing left to fight about, unless Ministers at the Cabinet next Friday should carry out their implied threat and open out new contentious matter which would once again put obstacles in the way of peace. Bat we do not believe they will do this. S<t<M!Kj indications combine to warrant expectation that they will, on the contrary, pursue a pacific course. For example, a well-informed and usually moderate writer, one whose forecasts during the Transvaal crisis have proved singularly accurate, and who evidently has had access throughout to trustworthy sources of Londcn information, stated yesterday that peace has about four days' grace "— namely, until the Cabinet meeting next Friday. Wa do not, in this instance, give credence to the forecast; but believe that just as Mr CHAMBBRLAIN'S later despatches have been surprising in moderateness of tone, so there will be yet a further exhibition of patience and moderation, an endeavourto put the Boers into the position of imprac- ticables, and so to deliver Mr CHAMBERLAIN and his colleagues from the odium attach- ing to their blunders hitherto. How far this will be accomplished, or whether it be accomplished at all, does not matter in the least: for the reputation of Ministers is of small concern so long as the intention and effect of their doings be pacific. Enormous expense has been and is being incurred in the transport of troops to Africa the shrinkage in value of 325 representative securities, occasioned by the Transvaal situation, was (according to the Bankers' Magazine) not less than 77 millions sterling during two months ended September 20, even Consols having run down to the lowest point they have touched for four years and all other Imperial concernments, as well as domestic affairs, are overshadowed by the absorbing question of South Africa. There are busi- ness men in the Cabinet, not the least keen among them being the COLONIAL SECRETARY, and they are well able to gauge public opinion as it will, in such circum- stances, form in the minds of the investing class, among whom their own supporters so largely predominate. Cheap brow- beating of the Boers might pay in the party sense but if the practice prove costly, if it engenders war and all that terrible extinction of market values which Sir R. GIFFBN has just prophesied— Consols at 85 and other securities at rela- tive depreciations—baiting the Boers will not pay the party at all. Hence we find that, yesterday, the journal popularly supposed to enjoy the benefit of Mr CHAMBBRLAIN'S inspiration was demonstratively pacific :— So long as there is a reasonable chance of settling our differences with the Boers by diplomatic means, no responsible person on this side is likely to call for war, which, however short and successful for this country. must entail a terrible sacrifice oi blood and treasure. We dc not yet despair of an amicable settlement on the basis of President KROGBR'S despatch of August 19th, with the objectionable con- ditiions eliminated, if only the Boers can be convinced of the good faith in which our moderate pioposals were made, and the sincerity of the British Government in declaring that it has no wish to interfere with the internal affairs of the Transvaal once the Uit- landers are put into a position to work out their own emancipation." Here is a marked change of tone and temper, a complete contrast to nearly all that has been published for weeks past. An amicable settlement on the basis of the August 19th proposals is quite probable, seeing that Sir WM. HARCOURT, followed by Professor WBSTLAKE (and there are no higher authorities), have, from the British side, eliminated the objectiou to the ohief of th e conditions, that based upon the alleged suzerainty." And although this is not exactly the kind of elimination that Mr CHAMBERLAIN'S Press organ refers to, it is an elimination none the less effective. The way of peace is clear. A settle- ment was offered to President KRUGER on certain terms, and he did not accept those terms but neither did he reject them, ior he made a countes-proposal after first arranging with Sir A. MILNER that it should not be considered as a rejection. The counter-proposal was not accepted. Consequently, it is open to the Transvaal to fall back upon our proffered terms of setltement and they would do so if we had not told them that these are now withdrawn. It only remains for the Boers to plead thir pre-arrangement with Sir A. MILNBR, and for the British Government to honour the High Commissioner's under- taking on their behalf and the tone both of yesterday's article in Mr CHAMBBRLAIN'S organ and of the despatch warrants the hope that this will be done. Meanwhile, there is so much jubilation, apparently concerted, over the celerity and ease with which 50,000 troops have been concentrated upon South Africa, that it suggests the idea whether this display of military readiness and power is not meant for other eyes than those of the Boers alone, the Transvaal trouble being used as an excuse for the object-lesson. At any rate, it serves for such a display; and does so at a peculiarly opportune moment.

DOCTRINE OF A PRIEST- HOOD. BISHOP HEDLEY'S LATEST PASTORAL. Is all the Roman Catholic churchea in the diocese on Sunday was read a pastoral letter by the Right Rev. Dr.Hedley, Roman Catholic Bis- hop of Newport, the subject of the letter being the priesthood of the Church of Christ, and par- taking of the nature of an appeal for contribu- tions, on Sunday next, to the fund for the educa- tion of students for the priesthood His Lordship cites the prerogatives and powers which Catholics believe Jesus Christ conferred upon the priestly order. It was objected that these pretensions were sacrilegious and injurious to Christ, that they brought human interference between a. man and his Saviour, and that they were the source and root of that pride and love of power which, it was alleged, had characterised the clergy io all ageq. Bat, says Bishop Hedley :— If anything, however, is absolutely certain from history and experience, it is that the Catholic priesthood, so far from coming between men and their Redeemer, have been the moat effective means which it is possible to conceive of bringing man and his God together. By the Word of God, by the authority of office, by the ministry of penance, by the use of the Blessed Sacrament, Catholic priests have, everywhere and always, done what no other agency could do in drawing men and women—not merely to sub- scribe to a creed, to give their names to a sect, or to practise an external ordinance —but to renoance sio, to turn to God, to love Him, and to serve Him. We who have experience in this matter cannot possibly be deceived. Those who de- nounce the priestly ministry without ever having, tried it are at the least rash and imprudent; or, what is more probable, they do not know what is really meant by devout love, by piety, or by sorrow br sin, but a.ct as if spiritual Christianity consisted in a. man's assuming that Christ has saved him, and then neglecting Christ in every I other respect." It is urged that a priesthood must necessarily be proud and domineering but it is wrong tto confuse pride with the moderate exercise of lawful authority. Perhaps," his Lordship re- marks in this connection, there is no body of pro- fessional men of our own times who have evinced more self-suiffciency, more tyrannical interference with their neighbours, and a more haughty spirit of dictation than the ministers of the Anglican Evangelical school, and of the Non- conformist bodies—all of whom most Btrenuously reject tho doctrine of a priesthood. As for the Catholic priest, his training makes him humble, because he is trained to devote bimsslf to the Divine truth of Christ's revelation. To this holy word of his Master he learns to have the loyalty and fidelity of a chosen disciple. When ho prea.che3 it to the world he is not thinking cf leadIUK intelligences captive or of forging fetters for human beings, but of spreading that blessed light which it is tbe grandest privilege of men to accept and to obey."

INTERMEDIATE EDUCATION IN MONMOUTHSHIRE. A meeting of the Monmouth Oonaty Govern- ing Body should have been held at Newport on Monday, but there was not a quorum present. The Welsh Central Board reported that the following were the results of the examination for the county exhibitions;—R. E. Williams, Ebbw Yale S. E. Evans a.nd Gwenda. Evans, and M. Lewis, Abertillery. Two exhibitions were of the value of JESO < each, and the other two of main- tenance at the Cardiff University College.

HORSES KILLED ON THE RAILWAY AT YSTALYFERA. On Monday morning two horses were found on the Midland line near Ystalyfera, one cut to pieces and the other badly injured. It is sur- mised that the crossing gate was left open', and that the early luggage train passed over the two horses. One was the property of Mr David Thomas, grocer, Graig, and the other belonged to Mr 8ryao, tinman, Ystalylara.

RICKYARD. FIRE IN GOWER. On Saturday the rickyard of a. large farm called Lunon (or, more properly, Llwynon), in the Gower, not many miles from Penclawdd, was found, ablaze. The fire raged fiercely'for a long time, and almost the whole of the large quantity, of corn and hay therein wan consumed.. The origin of the file is as yet a. mystery.

chiefly to the large number of com- mittals of immigrant hop-pickers daring the past three weeks, Maidstone Prison has become so crowded that it has been found necessary to transfer some of the prieoneril to Chelmsford Gaol. DR. DE JOMSH'S LIGHT-BROWN Con LXYBB OIL- IN THE WASTING BISEASJES OF CHUJJBEN ITS EFFTCACX is UNiajnAUJBD.—Dr. R. C. Croft, author of Handbook for the Nursery," writes: I have tried Dr. do Joagh's Light-Blown Cod Idver Oil, and find that it contains all the properties which render the Oil so efficacious. Dr. de Jongh's Oil Is almost a specific In rnaay of the Diseases peculiar to inlancy and Childhood, aad I have seen marked benefit pro duced by its an. Patients prefer it tn tha VateOiis and Me able to retain It more blv. So d only in capsuled Imperial Half-pints, Jis. i»l.; Pi- 4s. 9d.; Quarts, 9s.; bv aD chemists. Sole Consign, Ansar, Harford, and Oo^ Limited, 210, High Holbom ItfWdo nqaiB

ENGINEMEN'S WAGES. ANOTHER JOINT CONFERENCE. PROTRACTED SITTING. PROGRESS OF NEGOTIATIONS. NOTICES EXTENDED FOR A MONTH. EMPLOYERS SUBMIT AMENDED OFFERS. Slowly—but, let it be hoped, surely—the pro- tracted negotiations between the coalowners and the enginsmen, stokers, and outside fitters employed in collieries in the Monmouthshire, Merthyr, and Dowlais districts are approaching towards a settlement. A'diatinct step in advance was taken on Monday at a. joint conference held in Cardiff between representatives of employers and workmen, when the latter agreed to extend until the 31st of October the notices which the men had given to terminate contracts at the end of the current month. The gravity of the situa- tion which existed before this suspension was agreed to may be better gauged from the fact that, had the notices tendered been acted upon, fully 20,000 men would on Monday next have bsen compelled to suspend work, for without the engiuemen colli&rias could not have continued operations. That evil day, if it comes to pass, has now been put off for a month. It will be remembered that when the parties previously met it was upon this question of sus- pension of notices that the negotiations came to a deadlosk, the workmen's representatives not being in a position to agree to such suspension without consulting their constituents. Since then the workmen concerned have been ballotted, and their decision, by a large majority, was adverse either to the withdrawing or the extending of the notices referred to. M: W. Hopkins, the men's agent, in communicating this decision to Mr Gascoyne Dalziel, the owners' secretary, stated that, notwithstanding this un- favourable result, another meeting with the coal- owners' representatives might possibly lead to good results. The owners agreed to this sugges- tion. and so Monday's conference came about. That the men's representatives, the ballot not- withstanding, were empowered to suspend the notices under certain conditions has now been made manifest by Monday's proceedings. What were those conditions ? The employers at the prevtous conference had intimated their readiness to submit for discussion an amended schedule of rates of wages, and it would appear that before extending the notices the men desired to know what those amended terms would amount to. The employers on Monday at the joint conference.over which Mr Hopkins presided, complied with this very natural request, and accordingly submitted a schedule, the chief feature in which seemed to be that winding enginemon should be paid "011 qnantities "—that is to say that their earnings would be made dependent npon the quantity of coal raised by them. The workmen's section, however, unhesitatingly declined to have any- thing to do with this principle, and so the schema was rejected. The workmen's section harked back to the original schedule of ratas, which they had previously asked the owners to adopt, so as:to level up the standards of the men's earnings, and at the same time reduce their hours of labour. The owners made counter offers, and so the dis- cussion proceeded for many weary hours, con- sultations, joint and separate, succeeding each other monotonously. The conference commenced at 3 p.m., and went on without intermission until 8 o'clock had been well passed. The offers of the owners were all unsatisfactory, and so the men asked for a better and more comprehensive scheme. The owners retorted with a demand for a suspension of notices, so that time be given for the continuation of negotiations and the full consideration of the issues involved. At last the workmen's section agreed to such a suspension on two conditions-first, that an amended schedule be forthwith submitted secondly, that the settlement, whatever it may be, shall date as and from the 1st of October. The amended schedule which the owners at last submitted is a complicated document, and necessarily so, dealing as it does with largely differing circumstances in the several collieries concerned. It seema clear, however, that in what are known as the lowest paid districts the new schedule provides for an advance of Ed I" day in the wages of stokers. This 6d will be plus percentages, say 25 per cent., so that the ad- vance offered in thiscase amounts to 7d per day, or 3s 9d per week of six days. The men asked that the wages of winding enginemon should be raised to 4a 6d per day plus percentages. The new schedule offers to the winding men who now receive 4s per day and under an advance of4d per day. Thus a man now receiving 3s 6d would receive 3" lOd and so on, plus percentages, while I men who now receive more than 4s would still retain that higher wage. In no case is it proposed to reduce the high rates where they are now paid. In the case of fin man the advance offered in the lower paid districts is equivalent to 5d per day and in the case of haulage men in the aame districts an advance of 3d per day. The schedule as it now stands deaI. only with four classes—winding enginemen, fanmen, haul- age men, and stokers—and does not propose any reduction of hours. The question of hours, how- ever, is held in suspense, and was not on Monday touched upon. These new terms will now be submitted to the workmen concerned for their consideration, and a further meeting of the Joint Committee will be held in dae course to further proceed w ¡: II the negotiations. OFFICIAL REPORT. A joint meeting of the committee by the Monmouthshire and South Wales Coal- owners' Association and of the representatives of the enginemen, stokers, and outside fitters in the Monmouthshire, Merthyr, and Dowlais districts was held at Cardiff on Monday on the subject of the natices given by the letter classes at a number of associated collieries to ter minate contracts on the 30th inst. Mr T. H. Deakin was in the chair and Mr W. Hopkins in the vice- chair. The Chairman at the commencement of the meeting explained that the meeting was called in response to a letter which Mr Dalziel bad received from Mr Hopkins stating that although the voting had been adverse to the suggested suspension of the notices the representatives of these classes were hopeful that if the employers would grant them a further interview possibly a settlement might result. After a discussion which practically occupied the whole of the afternoon and until 8 p.m., and the respective parties had repeatedly separated for consultation amongst themselves, the representatives of the enginemen, stokers, and outside fitters consented to a suspension of the notices until the 31st of October, upon the understanding that the em- ployers would submit forthwith an amended schedule of wages for their consideraton and also upon the condition that any change in wages that might be agreed upon in fnrtber discussion shall date as and from the 1st of October. In response to this arrangement the employers at the close of the meeting handed in the promised amended schedule, and this is now in I the bands of the workmen's representatives, and will be placed by them before the workmen aneoted,it being understood that further meetings between the parties will take place shortly.

CO-OPERATION IN THE WESTERN VALLEYS. AN INTERESTING RECORD. OPENING OF NEW CENTRAL STORES AT BLAINA. On Monday a demonstration of Western Valley co-operators took place at Ble.ina. on the occasion of the opening of the new central pre- mises of the Blaina Industrial and Provident Society, which has branches at Brynmawr, Abertillery, and Cross Keys. A large and repre- sentative procession from these districts, headed by the Blaina Lancaster Town Band, paraded the principal thoroughfares, after which Mr George Whitmarah, a member of the society since its formation in 1872, opened the buildings in the unavoidable absence of Mr M. Wolsten- holme, J.P., managing director to Messrs John Lancaster and Co. The premises were then thrown open for inspection, and subsequently tea was provided at five different schoolrooms, &o. In the evening a public meetiag was held at Hermoa Chapel, Nantyglo, presided over by Councillor John Price, president of the society, to whose interest and energy much of the success of the undertaking is due. Addresses on the co-operative movement were dellivered by Mr G. Hawkins, Oxford, and Mr T. Clay, Glouces- ter, and the Blaina Glee Party and other artistes rendered several musical selections. DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW STORES. The new baildings will occupy the site of the old premises, and are being built upon She arcade principle. The frontage is 60 feet, and from tbe arcade entrance there is ;> depth cf 156 feet covered with buildings on either side, pro- viding 30 spacious rooms, which afford accommo- dation for distribution and production. Five commodious arid well fitted shops occupy the ground floor. On theiiriit floor are millinery, mantle, and lnrniture showrooms, while covering a large portion of the second floor is a spacious assembly hall. At the rear are blocks consisting of warehouses, workshops. bakehouses (fitted with machinery), electric light plant, stables, &c. In carrying out the work no contractor has been employed, the Building Committee acting in that capacity on behalf of the society. An excellent building foreman was found in Mr Indge, with Mr Page as master carpenter. The electric light arrangements have been carried out by the society's own engineer, Mr Rogers, who has himself completed the whole installation. A RETROSPECT. The co-operative movement at Blaina waa inaugurated under very singular au apices. Early in the seventies Mr Richardson, then general man- ager of the Nantyglo and Blaina Iron Works Co.. suggested tho possibility of wages being increased 10 per cent. by workmen becoming their own shopkeepers, and about 60 persons joined together aud in 1872 formed a co-operative society. The increase in trade or membership was not very marked daring the first ten years. In 1881 the late Mr George Bennett was appointed manager, which position he filled until bis death in 1893. In Mr Bennett the society was fortunate in securing a thorough co-operator and a. splendid man of business. In 1882 sign3 of improvement Councillor J. Price, Mr T. W. Allen. became apparent, and tho society rapidly flourished under his management. In 1888 a co- operative society sprang into existence in Aber- tillery, but was feebly supported, other attempts and failures telling against the new venture. This society decided to become a branch of the Blaina Society. From 125 per week the trade trebled. Building operations commenced, stores" were erected at a cost of RZ,000, and the business done now reached E400 per week. In 1893, on the death of Mr Bennett, Mr T. W. Allen was appointed general manager and secre- tary. For years the Blain.% establishment had done a large trade with members living at a dis- tance, and when, in 1892, a second branch was started at Brynmawr, transfers from Blaina took place which represented £ 1,000 per quarter. There had been large increases to this guaran- teed business," and the present average is Z300 per week. The taking over of the Kisca snd Cross Kays Society as a branch was perhans the greatest undertaking. The buildings bad been estimated at a cost of £ 3,000. In 1893 trade de- clined. Negotiations took place which in 1895 resulted in the amalgamation of Cross Keys with the Blaina Society. Trade soon doubled, and there is every prospect of prosperity. HISTOHY IN FIGURES. Since coming into existence in 1872 a total trade has been done amounting to £ 646,977. Profits have been divided amounting to E72,900, of which P,66,340 have been devoted to dividend and interest alone. Property which is valned at £ 17,597 has been written down Ito £ 12,953, thus giving a reserve in buildipgs of £ 4,626, which, added to reserves otherwise invested, makes s\ total reserve fund of S.6,560, on a share capital of £26,263, and would, if divided, make each member's £1 share worth 25s. The society has lent its members over £9,000 on cottage property, and altogether has helped 83 persons to become possessors of their own dwellings. Some seven years ago the "COtniog of age celebrations were held. Since then the growth has beenc phenomenal. When the society had been in existence 21 years it had done a trade of £ 255,464. During the past seven years it has done a trade of JE551,513, i1. larger business for the last seven years than for the 21 years previously. At the .1 coming of age shares in the Wholesale Society stood at JE808, now they stand at X2,776, an increase in seven years of £ 1,970. Then the reserve stood at jEl,267, out of which 11,000 was voted towards depreciation, leaving a balance of £ 267. In seven years the Z267 bae nearly reached iC2,000 The share capital has also grown con- siderably, standing now at iE26,2,63, as against X15,684 seventy ears ago, while in the same period no less than 1,881 new members have been added to the society. Some five years ago a oenny bank" was started to encourage children in thrifty habits, and the savings now total £ 1,578, the i&enberghiP, being; aver &5Q0.

A VENERABLE NEWPORT MAGISTRATE. CONGRATULATIONS FROM THE BENCH. The Newport borough magistrates held a special meeting on Monday and passed a reso- lution congratulating Dr. Morgan, who is a borough magistrate, upon the attainment of his 90th birthday, which he reached on Sunday, Dr. Morgan up to a few years ago took an active part in the public life of Newport, and consider- ing hia great age is in good health. A FREEMASON FOR 60 YEARS. On Sunday afternoon a deputation of Free- masons waited upon Dr. Morgan at his residence, Penrhiw, Newport,when Colonel Charles Lync, P.G.M. of the Province of Momouth, on behalf of the three Newport lodges, presented the venerable brother with an illuminated address extending to him hearty fraternal greetings on his 90th birthday. Dr. Morgan, who has been a member of the ancient Order for over 60 years, in thanking the deputation and the members of the three lodges, said he had had a long innings in life, bnt he still hoped to be at the wicket bat in hand for a long time to come.

SWANSEA CLUBS RAIDED. On Sunday the Swallsea. police, armed with the recessary warrant, raided the Poppett Hill Working^Men's Club and the Bath Club and In- stitute. The first club raided was the Poppett Hill Club, where between 20 and 30 men were found. This was in the early hours of the morn- ing. The police were unable to enter quietly, though much surprise was depicted on the faces of those present, and on tbe warrant being read the steward gave information and produced the books,with the object of 3howing that the club is a bona fide one. The police, however, took the names of all present, and then took formal pos- Hoasion of the books and of the beer on the pre- mises. They then went to the other club in Orchard street, which was entered with equal ease. The manager again gave the information required, but the police seized the books and carted off some barrels of beer, some bottles of beer, and some spirits. Altogether two wagon loads of liquor were carried off from the two clubs.

WELSH GOSSIP. An old inn at Llanrwst is now a botcher shop. The old name has been retained, and Ie appropriate enough—The Bull. The London Musical Courier singles out Mr W. Trevor Evans, the Welsh tenor, tiS the possessor of a. brilliant voice of rare quality." The officers of the Presbyterian Church, Rhos. tyllen, Wrexham, have received a, private giftoi £300 towards liquidating the chapel debt. The Executive Committee of the Gwynedd Provincial Eisteddfod, to be held at LUndndno next year, have chosen" Kruger as the subject for the englyn. Mr Roberts-Jones, Cardiff, who is counsel to the Baptist Union of Wales, was appointed on Saturday legal adviser to the National Com- mittee of Organised Labour for Old Age Pen. sions. The John Thomas Welsh Scholarship at the Royal Academy of Music has been awarded to Miss Beatrice Evelin Jones, a native of Crick* howell, Sonth Wales. Miss Paulina Marion Draper was highly commended. Among the orators announced to address the great winter meetings at St. Andrew's Hall, Glasgow, this year appear the names of two Welshmen, namely, the Revs. J. B. Gibbon, of Bloomsbury, London, and Elwya Thomas, of Newport. When Mr Ellis Jones Griffith. M.P. re- marks the Oymro, was charged by his London compatriots with habitually sitting on the fence, he became very indignant. On tbe Transvaal question he has done worse-he has come down on the wrong side." The Rev. Dr. Owen Evans, minister of tht Tabernacle Welsh Congregational Church, King's Cross, has informed that church of his intention to retire from the pastorate early in 1901, when he will have completed 50 years of active ministerial work. Last week a Welsh minister contemplating house-moving was afraid that owing to certain obstacles he would not be able to do so fox some time. A brother counselled him with a pas- sage of Scripture But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the Sabbatll Day." Some weeks ago a couple of paragraphs appeared in a popular London weekly extolling the liberality and wealth of the gallant—and bachelor Mayor of a South Wales county town. Since that day offers of marriage ha.ve formed a con. siderable proportion of hia Worship's letter bagl one billet-doux having arrived all the way from Russia.. The Rev. J. L!. Thomas, F.R.G.S., vicar of Aberpergw-m, will attend the International Geographical Congress, which is to be hold this week in Berlin. Sir Clements Markham, Sir John Murray, and Dr. Seott Keltic will be among the English readers of papers. Dr. Nausen will treat in German of Arctic exploration. Ttw congress will last six days. The Rev. Eynon Davies, of Beckenham, who recently raised ,£5.000 to liquidate the debt on his church in a fortnight, takes a prominent position among the organisers of the Congrega- tional Twentieth Century Fund. He has been chosen to write one of the tracts by means of which the fund is to be commended to the young people of the denomination. The members of the Exeentive Committee of the Gwynedd (N6rth Wales) Provincial Eistedd- fod, to be held next year at Llandudno, have chosen the same subject for their bardic chair prize as the Liverpool National Eisteddfod Com- mittee, viz., Y Bugail (" The Shepherd "), bat the chair at Llandudno is to be given for pryddest, while ac Liverpool it ia to be awarded for an awdl. It was noticed at the Calvinistic Methodist Conference at Abergavenny last week that two young ministers, like Saul, o'ertopped all their brethren. Those were the Revs. J. Stephens Rhoose, B.A., Pontypridd, and E. P. Jones, 13.A., Bangor. Another Longfellow was expected to read a paper at the conference, namely, the Rev. W. O. Jones, B.A., Liverpool, but was PlQ", eluded by a domestic trouble from attending. II I always make it a point to encourage young preachers," blasted a Glamorgan deacon to a Pontypridd minister the other day. How do you do it ?" queried the latter. ru tell yon," responded the eider; Mr A. B. preached with us on Sunday, and I noticed that be looked vory glum after the service. What's the matter ?' I asked, are you ill ?' No,' said he, but I had a very flat service.' Cheer np,' said I, you were twice as flat as that last time you were here.' Yea, I always believe in encouraging a preacher." The Rev. Owen 8. Watkins, now of Malta, whe has jest been appointed Wesleyan Methodist acting chaplain to the forces going out to the Transvaal to be stationed at Natal, is a son of the Rev. Owen Watkins, who recently removed from Llandndno to Cardiff to be the superinten- dent of the first Wesleyan Methodist circuit in the Welsh Metropolis. Mr Watkins, senior, waa for many years a missionary labouring under the auspices of the Wealeyan Methodist Foreign Missionary Society in the Transvaal, and Mr Watkins, jun., was chaplain of the forces in the Battle of Omdurman. He is to leave Malta for Natal on Saturday next. The union of the Theological College of Wales, of which Principal Rowlands, the Memorial College, Brecon, is president, and Professor Young Evans, Trefeica, secretary, will not take steps this year to appeal to the Court of the University of Wales against the rejection by the Theological Board of the pro- posal to include thoelolity in the faculty of arts, as provided by the charter. A proposal to modify the present syllabus for the degree of B.D. still remains from the last meeting on the agenda of the Theological Board, and will be discussed when the board meets in May. In the meantime the agitation in favour of making degrees in theology more accessible to Welsh students is proceeding. It is well known that the present requirements for the degree of B.D. in the University of Wales is largely due to the high ideals and powerful influence of Dr. Fairbairn, who not Iong ago published a pamphlet showing his dissatisfaction even with the Oxford theo- logical coarse. Evidently the eminent divine hopes to realise iu Wales what even Oxford-fails to aocompllsh.. By the way, the Scotch element on the Welsh Theological Board is very strong- nay, the board may be said to have owed its very existence to a Cardiff Scot, the late Rev. J. Douglas Waiters, and as it was a.t the first meet- ing of the Court at Westminster that the initial steps towards the establishment of the board were taken it has aptly nicknamed by a Welsh professor, The Westminster Assembly." It is hoped its yoke will not be as heavy as that of its historic parallel. The Rev. B. Humphreys, Felinfoel, Llanelly, writes In Saturday's Welsh Gossip you quote tae well-known saying of Gurnos abont eaving the Militia and joining the and state that it was the witty answer to a. Baptist minister who asked him why he returned to the fold of Iudepandia. This is a, mistake. Gurnos himself, while yet with tbe Baptists, related to me that he addressed tha words to an eminent Congregational minister who accosted him rather reproachfully for casting in hislot with the Baptist denomination. It is well ta be correct even in small mattera. May I add that the wit is not original to Gurnos ? It belongs to the late Rev. Arthur Jones, D.D., Bangor, who, after he left the Calvinistic Methodists to join the Independent body, was taunted with being a deserter, and his reply was, ydwyf, ni wnaethwn ddim ond gadael y Militia a joinio y Regulars.' (See Hyuodion Hen Bregethwyr Cymru,' page 152.)" The Rev. Maurice Griffith, M.A., Llanelly, th« new secretary of the English Calvinistic Methodist Conference, is a native at Machynlleth, where he began to preach under the direetion of an old Cwmavon boy, the Rev. John Hughes, M.A., now of Fitzclareuce-street, Liverpool. He was edu- cated at Oswestry High School, then kept by Mr Owen Owen, M.A., the present inspector under the Central Board, and from the University Col. lege, Cardiff, he proceeded to Exeter College, Oxford, where he graduated in theology in 1889, obtaining in the same year one of the fint places in the synodical examination. From that time to his removal last year to take charge of the English Calvinistic Methodist Chapel at Llanelly he had been pastor at Llanidloes. Last year he made an American tour, in company with the Rev. T. C. Jones, Welshpool, and returned, unlike many Welsh divines, with no increment of acadewto honours. \Ú :&I

WORKMEN AND THEIR WASTE OF TIME. Mr C. B. MCLARBN, M.P., addressing the shareholders in the great undertakng of PALMER'S Shipbuilding and Iron Company, stated on Saturday that though the profits had been large they had been much less than in the preceding year. He said that increase of wages had been attended by greatly slackened work The men wasted a good deal of time the directors had been looking into the figures, and they found that in the shipyard the men were losing something like 28 per cent. of the time they might work. He believed the men on the Tyne wasted as much as 40 per cent. and, on the Clyde, things were much the same as at PALMBR'S. Not even a strike was quite as bad as such a waste of time, because in this case the employer was unprotected from penalties." This is a very serious indictment of the wage- earners, the more serious because it applies "to several different classes of work- men, and because Mr MCLAREN linked the Clyde with the Tyne in his allegation, thus showing that the evil is widespread. It is even more serious because similar allega- tions are made against South Wales colliers, and if there be this failure to take advantage of a high wage-rate, if workmen generally do not seize an opportunity of increasing their income, but rest content with earnings that approximate to an average, they destroy one of the strongest incentives to the struggle for improved rates. It is easy to understand the eager- ness of miners to escape as quickly as possible from the heavy strain and confined atmosphere of a colliery but it is not so easy to understand the reluctance of out- door workers to enlarge their income by, working full time, and working energetic- ally the whole time they are in the yard. The allegation now made by Mr MCLAREN, who is chairman of the Tredegar Com- pany as well as of PALMER'S, does not stand alone. During recent discussions upon the relative efficiency of American and British manufacturing establishments, a strong point has been made that, besides having the very best machinery and using machinery to a far larger extent, the American employer has the advantage of a far greater intensity of application ou the part of his employees. it has been accepted as a commonplace of discussion that the quality of American help is so superior to British that the higher wages j paid in the United States yield a larger return. This matter is of grave concern, when the growing competition of America and Germany are borne in mind. Workmen have as deep an interest in the relative cost of production as their employers have; for if orders are lost because a greater cost is entailed here, and that cost should be, in any large degree, the outcome of waste of time, the workmen lose their employment without ensuring any advantage at all. In oases of undue competition, in any matter, of upholding a reasonable wage-rate or proper conditions of labour, the men would not be blameworthy if they occa- sioned loss of orders. But where there is a good wage-rate and conditions so satis- factory as to induce acceptance of employ. ment, there is a community of interest which should make the men serve the employer's ends to the full. When any considerable number of them lose a quarter," or the piece hands fail to turn out their accustomed quantum, the full ex- pense of the whole establishment has to be spread over a smaller total output, thus raising its cost considerably, and enfeeb. ling the employers in that competition with foreign manufacturers which it is the workman's interest to raise to the highest power.

CAERWENT EXPLORATION. During the last week or mpre the site of a square building at Caerwent has been explored under the directions of Mr A. T. Martin, F.S.A., of Clifton, and Mr John Ward, F.S.A., of Cardiff. This edifice was abont 90ft. square, a large house or public building of the courtyard type, that is, it con- sisted of a range of rooms around a central coort. The exploration so far has been of a purely pre- liminary nature, just sufficient to bring out the general plan and character of the buildinsr. The complete excavation will probably be left until next spring, after which the site would be kept open until the following autumn. The court is of great interest, and although the trenching has been only slight it is quite sufficient to furnish a tolerably vivid glimpse of this part of a large private or public building of the liomano-British period. The courtyard was about 32 by 22it., and it was, of course, open to the sky. Its floor was of concrete or hardened rubble. The rain water was conveyed by a. half-round channel carved out of large stones around its margin into a sub- stantial drain in the south-west angle. Surround- ing this was a covered ambulatory or walk, into which the various chambers opened and which formed a means of communication between them. Its floor was of red tesseral, and alon(ito its edge ran a step of ponderous atones which carried the pillars which supported the roof. 'these pillars were of the ordinary Roman Doric order, well tamed and massive. There was one at each corner of the yard, with two intervening ones on each of the long sides, and probably one on each of the short sides. As no remains of a. stone entablature were found, it is probable that these columns were spanned by wooden beams. The roof was of pointed stone slates, which in combination would have a pleasing lozengy pattern like the diamond panes of a Gothic window. The cold stone colour of the roof and columns wis relieved by tho bright red pavement of the ambulatory and the colouring of the wall frescc. Considering how slight are the excavations on the 3ite of this court, it is surprising they should have furnishedjjsafficient materials for so complete a restoration but these materials are in them- selves slight, and only to be appreciated by a trained eye. When, however, this court is cleared next spring we may reasonably expect the evidences to be plain enough for anyone to follow, and of aach interest as to attract large nnmbers of people. The discovery is an earnest of what is to follow if only public support i sufficient to enable the Caerwent exploratio n to be fully carried out. We hope the Caerwent Committee will not rest with merely publishing reports, drawings, and plans of these ancient buildings, but will also have exact models made to definite scales, such as that of tha Roman wall at Cardiff recently exhibited in tueMusunm. Our knowledge of Roman Britain is aUZtoo small; and if the exploration of Veuta Silurum is carried out as its ponroters hope to carry it, it cannot but throw a flood of new light upon the city life of the period of the occupation. <

MINLATS' DEMONSTRATION AT MAESTEG. MR S. T. EVANS, M.P., ON THE COMPENSATION ACT. ADDRESSES BY MABON AND MR BRACE. On Monday afternoon the members of the Maesteg Branch of the Miners' Federation held a successful demonstration at Maesteg. Rain marred to.a great extent the outdoor part of the proceedings. Contingents from Abergwynh, Caerau (which is by far the largest lodge), Cwm- feUn, and Bryn met in the open space in the front of the Town Hall, accompanied by three bands—the Volunteer, the Town, and the Roman Catholic. There they wore joined by Maboa, M.P., Mr S. T. Evans, M.P., Mr W. Brace, and Mr Wilfrid Rowlands, the solicitor to the branch, who, seated in an open carriage, headed the pro- cession, anout 3,000 to 3,500 strong, which paraded some of the principal streets of the tow-J. The marshals were the officers of the different lodges, and the whole of the arrangements wera capably carried oat by Mr David Beynon, the miners' agent. It had bean intended to hold the public meeting which was to follow in a field, but owing to the wet it was decided to resort to the spacious Town Hall, capable of holding about 2,000 people. On return- ing bare the ball was speedily filled. Mr David Boynon occupied the chair. On the platform were Mt S- T. Evans, M.P., Mr W. Abraham (Mabon), M.P., Mr W. Brace, and some of the officers of the local lodges. The Chairman, in his opening address, referred with satisfaction to the presence of two members of Parliament, one a direct representative of laboor and the other an indirect representative. Mr Evans was in the House of Commons at all hoars watching the interests of the working classes. (Cheers.) He congratulated the district on its position, observing that out of a possible 4,000 moo, according to the Government returns, working in this district they had got nearly 3,800 I financial mmnbers. (Cheers.) Although they had only- auHicd 12 inontha they were worth upou £500. (Cheecs.) Mr S. T. Evaua, M.P.. said he hoped they would continue to fostor their orgaoteatfcn, because by so doing they would be able to secure the rights which ought to be theirs in the indu3- trial world. (Applause.) No one on that platform would try to bring about any dispute between workmen and their employers but at the same time it was necessary for the workmen to keep together and to have trnst in their leaders. Dealing with the Compensation Act, Mr Evans said that whilst he did not think the Act so bad as a London County Court Judge had described it, he did not thmk it was as good all Mr Chamberlain promised it would be. The Act was framed in such a way as to make it very difficult to know what it meant on many points. Since the measure had been in operation he (Mr Evans) was glad to tind that the Court of Appeal had dealt with it in as liberal a spirit as possible, and had allowed the workmen to have full advantage of the benefits which it was intended to confer upon them. (Hear, hear.) A very important case was coming on from this dis- trict. It had already passea the Court of Appeal, and it was on its way tc the House of Loris. The question was as to what constituted a dependent. A young boy was killed he had been earning 9s a week, which he paid into the common fund of the family. It was argued by the employers that because the father was a healthy man he was not dependent upon tie boy. Fortunately the County Court Judge and the Conrt of Appeal held that the family were dependent upon the lad and he hoped the House of Lords would be of the same opinion. (Hear, hear.) It had been said by some people that the very fact of compensation being given for accidents compelled employers to insure and thus caused a lack of care ou the part of employers in providing against injury to the lives and limbs of workmen. He did not think,howcver, that this charge had been proved from the statis- tics which had been put forward. With regard to the cost of the Act to employers, it had been said by Sir William Thomas Lewis and others that the cost would be 3d per ton be kMr Evans) had it on excelknt authority that so far the cost bad been three-farthings, and the cost did not promise to go above a penny. (Applause.) The amendment required in the Act was to enable a workman to be entitled to compensation as soon its he was injured. At present for the first fort- night a man received nothing at all. He also advo- cated the extension of the privileges of the Act to seamen and agricultural labourers. (Applause.) The clause dealing with serious and wilful mis- conduct had caused a lot of difficulty. It was nonsense to think of a workman inviting an acci- dent to himself. The speaker also alluded to the need of safety lamps being used in collieries that were in any way dangerous, and hoped the men's organisations would force the management to pay the increased price to which they were entitled when using these lamps. In conclusion the hon. member referred to the right which the men possessed under the Coal Mines Regulation Act of appointing colliers from amongst them- selves to make periodical inspections of the work- ings. (Applause.) Mr Wilfred Rowlands having spoken, Mabon addressed the audience in the vernacular, dealing chiefly with the Eight Hours Bill. By joining the Minera' Federation of Great Britain the miners of South Wales accepted this part of their programme, and they must be loyal to the Federation. (Applanse.) Mr Brace dealt with the difference in the position of the miners of South Wales to-day from what it was; last year. One amendment needed in tbe Companation Act was that com- pensation should be paid within a certain limit of time. (Hear, hear.) As to the suggestions by the inspectors of mines that there should be continuous timbering in collieries, if this were carried out there would have to be an alteration in the prices. He did not oppose any system for protecting the lives of the workmen, but such a system must not be intorduced at the expense of the men's wages. (Applause.) A vote of thanks to the speakers was heartily accorded, on the proposition of Mr Dayid Jones, seconded by Mr j. Watts.

IS A COAL TRADE CRISIS IMPENDING ? WILD RUMOURS REFUTED. A REPLY AND A WARNING. (By MABON, M.P.) "Is there a. Crisis impending in South Wales ?" is the spurious text of an illiberal and un- justifiable editorial note in the Shipping World of last waek. The writer inferentially im- peached the miners of Monmouthshire and South Wales and their leaders with having in view a general plan of action for making an attack in line upon the Sliding Scale and the settle- ment ratified a year ago such as was never seen in South Wales colliery crises before," which will commence about the beginning of November next, and if not then at the endof an unspecified period." My only reason for noticing this string of unwarranted deductions is the desirability of giving them a direct contradiction, so as to pre- vent the perpetuation of this slander on the miners of Wales and their leaders, and also pre- vent any ill effect that this perversion of the truth may have caused. The writer admits that there is no overt indi- cation of impending trouble or of any other dis- putes that are incident to all great industries, and crop up for consideration when the periodical conferences of masters' and men's representatives are held." But he contends that shrewd observers of fact that take a bird's eye view of the whole coalfield decline to share thatoptimistic view,that they mass the scattered facta and when they are brought together individual and innocaut-looking incidents are capable of a construction quite at variance with the easy-going assurance that because there is no flame there can be no explosive material about." There can bo very little doubt indeed, after the performances of this unscrupu- lous writer, that any pessimist ia quite able to place upon all disputes that are incident to all great industries a construction that is completely at variance with the truth, Next in rotation comes the astounding announcement that" most of the Monmouthshire miners and two districts in Glamorganshire have determined to tender notices on the 1st of October terminating contracts at the end of an unspeci- fied period." A more unqualified untruth than this statement scarcely ever appeared in print, and the following is like unto it, viz., that There can be little doubt the employers are right in their contention that this is a breach of the four years agreement signed in September last." The Sliding Scale Committee met on Thursday last, and no employer uttered a word about im- pending notices being a breach of the Sliding Scale agreement or otherwise, and for the simple reason that neither they nor the workmen's representatives knew or contemplated giving any such notices that would be a breach of the agreement. The notices tendered on the 1st of September, for the reasons given by the miners' leaders, were spoken of, but these having brought about the end desired any contemplated stoppage of work is obviated. But should a stoppage have resulted, the disputes did uot arise from the agreement, and such stoppage could not have been a breach of the agreement. The indictment yet is not complete. The writer asserts that there is a widely-spread impression that the notices indicate an attack in line upon the Sliding Scale and the settlement ratified a year ago that the campaign this timo would not be fought on the former strategy and he says, The issue is being raised whether a Wages Board or a, Board of Conciliation regulating wages is not a more satisfactory working arrange- ment for masters and men than any arrangement based upon the Sliding Scale principle. It is also significant of all this mischief that Mabon, most cautious of leaders, has latterly been urging the superiority of a Wagos Board, both on the plat- form and in the Press, and that it is notorious that the Miners' Federation is opposed to Sliding Scales root and branch." In building up the proof of this supposed con- spiracy among the Welsh miners and their leaders, the writer says, But it must not be admitted as a consideration (in this affair of course) that there is not complete unity among the aoalowners, and of course the miners know it," etc., etc. But the most artful of these inuendos is the one where he says :—" Nor should the fact be overlooked that the date for tendering notices coincides with that to which a settlement of the Swansea dispute has been postponed, which is construed (by the writer himself, of course) as pointing to a general plan of action such as was never seen in South Wales colliery crises before." This ends a pretty complete indictment of the miners of South Wales, does it not, ingenious to a. degree, but faise to the extreme ? If we reduce the general charge to its abstract nakedness, it means nothing less than tuat the miners of South Wales contemplate instructing or allowing the miners of Monmouthshire, with the connivance of the Miners' Federation of Great Britain, to tender pretended notices to ter. minate contracts at an unspecified period, so as to enable them to take action contemporaneously with the miners of Swansea district, and also bring out on strike without notice at least some 75 per cent. of the colliery workmen in this coal- field, so as to dishonourably put an end to the Sliding Scale and substitute therefor a Wages Board, and an a favourable consideration to carrying out this ruinous plot they will take advantage of the fact that there is not complete unity among the coalowners," the deplorable resignation of Sir W. T. Lewis, and the drawal of his own and Lord Bute's collieries from the association,"and the apprehended further withdrawal of the colliery proprietors from the same association in consequence of the Cambrian and other colliery proprietors seeking to be allowed to enter. One would like to know what Major Jones thinks ot this sly denun- ciation of his fellow countrymen. For me the plan has been too cunningly invented and the reasons alleged are too far-fetched for aayontf acquainted with tho ways of workmen to believe that they are capable of taking and acting upon the hishonour- able hints. I have read somewhere of the whh beiug father to the thought," and I am beginning to wonder if it is possible in this case. There are obvious reasons for believing there are a few among colliery owners, and possibly among owners, editors, and corre- spondents of a few periodicals" that would not feel aggrieved at such a calamity as suggested above if it somehow would but justify Sir William Thomas Lewis's ill-advised withdrawal from the Coalowners' Association, though Sir William himself may be the last man to encourage such an idea. As to the workmen, however, let me, on their behalf, assure the public that they have not the slightest notion of bringing the Sliding Scale to an untimely end—that there exists no plan for such concerted action as is hinted above, and that during the lifetime of the Sliding Scale they will be gnilty of no unconstitutional action that they are not driven to by the other side such as does occasionally take place. But when the proper time comes there is not the slightest doubt but that thsy will take constitu- tional means of bringing the Sliding Scale to an end, and to have it replaced by a Conciliation Board on the same plan and basis as the one that now exists between the coalowners in England and the Minors' Federation of Great Britain. On the other hand, and while I am at it, allow me. without offence or interference, to say this, that if the Coalowners' Association is anxious to have the Sliding Scale preserved let them see that their representatives thereon attend the joint meetings, and also that those appointed on their behalf to do work do it, else they must uot be surprised to see it suddenly collapse for the want of attention on their part.

DEATH OF A SOUTH WALES COLLIERY DIRECTOR. Mr James Harrison, one of the directors of the Bwllfa and Merthyr Dare Collieries, died sud- denly on Monday. Deceased, who was a native of the North of England, came down about 40 years ago with Messrs Brogden to Tondu, near Bridgend, and when Messrs Brogden bought the Bwllfa Colliery Mr Harrison came to /Vberdare and became cashier to the company. When the Bwllfa and Merthyr Dare Company was reor- ganised some few years ago Mr Harrison became one of the directors, a position which he held at the time of his death in addition to that of chief cashier of the company. Deceased appeared to be in his ordinary health on Sunday, but he com- plained of feeling somewhat unwell on Monday morning, and did not leave his house. He was attended by Dr. Bankes, bat no serious result was feared until 4 o'clock, when he suddenly grew worse and expired from apoplexy at 5 o'clock. Deceased was about 60 years of age, and W9,$ a prominent Wealeyan Methodist, being tho trustee of their English chapel at Trecynon, which he had been largely instrumental in erecting. He had from time to time held all the offices open to I a layman in the Aberdaro ciicuit. He was extremely generous to all eonnexional fnnds, one 01 his contributions being 25 guineas to the 1,000 guineas fund. He leaves a widow and a large family. He was for six years a member of the Aberdare School Board.

SMOKE LAMBERT AND BVTMSB'S FLAKED GOLD IIBAP HOMHTDJSW, in packets and tins of all Tobacco nists and dealers throogt-oat the Kingdom 1575 GOING TO JERUSALEM.—Travelling has arrived at a high pitch of perfection in the German Emperor's visit to the Holy Land I But still there will be a lot of walking to do, and corns are no respecter of persons. An absolute necessity in these travelling days, in order to ensure comfort for the feet, is MunAn>'n Viridine," the marvellous, corn core. You si ould never travel without it, In bottles. Is post txf* lfUmday, Chemist, HJgh-si>reet rOMtftf 011 .R

r THREATENING A KEEPER. TWO :LOCAL MINERS BOUND OVER. On Monday at the Pentre Police Court (before Messrs D. W. Davies, in the chair, E. H. Davies, and D. Thomas) Alexander Powell, collier, and William Powell, sinker, Senghenydd, Aber Valley, were brought up in custody and charged with threatening to kill Donald Harris, game- keeper in the employ of Dr. Hamlin Williams, Fairfield, by shooting him. Mr James Phillips, Pontypridd, prosecuted, while MrW. P. Nicholas, Pontypridd, defended. Dr. Hamlin Williams, who waa the first wit- ness, deposed that on Friday, the 15th inst., between 1 and 2 o'clock in the afternoon, the pro- secutor (Harris) and himself were on the Mynydd Mayo Mountain, near Eglwyailao, being oat shooting. Information was given to him that shots bad been heard in another part of the ground, and that two men and two dogs had been seen there. He himself went in that direction, and saw the men and the dogs. They were evidently in search of game. He told his gamekeeper Harris to divest himself of his belts and go in pursait of the men, who had just started running away. Witness used a binocular glass, and was about 250 yards away. The taller defendant, William, was carrying a gun, and Alexander had a stick. William was attired in a tweed suit. His keeper returned in about ten minutes, and appeared to he in an exhausted condition and alarmed. The prosecutor in his evidence stated that imme- diately he was told to go after the men he slipped off his cartridge bag and the dog chains and went m pursuit of them. The two men had a fox terrier and a sheep dog with them. He followed them to Pontydrain House, and on arriving at the crossroads there he saw one Abraham Morgan, roadman, who bad recognisetjl the two men. Prosecutor got to the bottom of another meadow, and saw the prisoner William carrying a gun and the other prisoner a stick. He asked the prisoners who had given them authority to be there in search of game. William muttered something in reply, and prosecutor then seized William, but he jumped back, pulled up the trigger of his double-barrelled gun, and rais- ing it to his shoulder pointed it at him, exclaiming, at the same time, I'll blow your ——— brains out if you touch me." Prosecutor put his hand up. and asked the prisoner not to shoot him. Prisoner still held the gun to his shoulder while the prosecutor walked away from him. The other prisoner had held up the stick he had in a threatening attitude, but did not strike him. Prosecutor was frightened a little. He was positive the prisoners were the men whom he saw there. A warrant was after- wards issued for their arrest. Cross examined by Mr Nicholas: Prosecutor had no difficulty in finding Alexander Powell He had not left his home at White Cross, On the following Tuesday Alexander was brought to the colliery office after he had come out of the pit. Prosecutor at once remarked, He is not the man that pointed the gun at me." PC. Stibbs was present at the time. Abraham Morgan gave evidence identi- fying the prisoners. P.C. Stibbs, Treforest, stated that the prisoners were brothers, both being married and living together in the same ,honse. Alexander was arrested on Thursday. In reply to the charge he said he was not guilty. The officer then went to their hoaso and obtained th odonble-barrelled gun and the coat produced. Williams had since admitted the gun was hia. own. P.C. Summerhill said he arrested Williams at tbe Graig Ddu Hotel. Dinas, on Wednesday evening. Replying to the charge he said, I never was there 1 know nothing about it." Mr Nicholas having addressed the Bench the prisoner Alexander was examined by him. He said he was in bed on the Friday in question from 6 o'clock in the morning until 5 o'clock in the evening. Corroborative evidence was given by hia wife and his sister-in-law. The Bench remarked they were quite conviuoed the defendants were the offenders, and bonnd them over in the sum of £20 each to keep the peace for six months and two sureties of £10 each.

-lg LOCAL GRIEVANCES AT MAESYCWMMER. PUBLIC MEETING. At the Maesycwmmer Board Schools on Satur- day evening a publio meeting was held under the chairmanship of Mr Richard Edwards, Cwmdu Farm, to consider the present inadequate train service on the Great Western Kailway from Pontypool to Mountain Ash and Aberdare. An earlier train, it was shown, would be a decided gain to the farmers of this district in that it would enable them to place their milk at Moun- tain Ash and fliberdare at an hour requisite to the demand of their customers. In addition to this the necessity for an earlier train was very clearly shown by a number of commercial gentle- men present. With the present service it is im- possible to reach the Rhondda Valleys before noon, and having regard to the importance of this field of commercial enterprise they find themselves very much handicapped and fre- quently outrun by competitors enjoying better railway facilities. It was unanimously resolved that the secretary should communicate with the proper authorities setting forth local grievances and asking that a deputation be received on the subject of the present train service. The secre- tary was also instructed to write the Rhymney Railway Company asking that the 9.45 p.m. train from Cardiff for Merthyr should be reinstated as a stopping train a.t Ystrad Mynach Station. Up to this stage tho meeting had been in a very suppliant mood, when its whole tenonr was com- pletely changed by a reference to the Rhymney and Aber Valley Gas and Water Company's gross negligence in failing to provide an adequate supply of water for the dis- trict. This question quickly moved every- one to a feeling of indignation, and strong ex- pressions were used against the manner in which the company has ignored the increasing wants of tho community. After further discussion, the meeting resolved to call the attention of the Dis- trict Councils of St. Mellon's and Gelligaer to this lamentable state of things, requesting them to instruct their sanitary inspector to take such steps as would afford relief and protection to the inhabitants.

FARM FIRE NEAR SWANSEA. On Sunday a disastrous farm are broke out at Kittle, near Swansea. The scene was Great Kittle Farm, and the outbreak originated in the rickyard, spreading till no less than 17 racks were ablaze. The labourers and such volunteers as could be obtained did their best to prevent the spread of the flames, and they were able to save the farm buildings and the house. It was not. however, tili night that the fire was extinguished, and then it was seen that only two small ricks had been saved. The loss is estimated at between JE300 a.nd£400. and it is not covered by insurance. The farm is the property of Admiral Lyons, and the tenant is Mr Abraham Jones. Careless smoking by a tramp is believed to be the cause.

-h_ MUZZLING ORDER AT MERTHYR. A long train of defendants attended tbe Merthyr Police Court on Monday to be fiued for allowing their dogs no muzzles. Fines of 5s each were inflicted upon those who appeared, and those who did not attend were fined 79 6d, costs included in each case. Two dogs captured by the police proved to be unlicensed as well aa unmuzzled, About 16 cases under the new muzzling order were heard.

"SCORCHING" IN THE RHONDDA. On Monday at the Pentre Police Court (before Messrs D. W. Davies and E. H. Davies and Councillor Thomas) Charles Evans, assistant auctioneer, Pentre, was fined 20s and costs for riding a bicycle at the rate of about 13 miles an hour. John Henry Thomas, Heolfach, was also fined .£1 for a sitrilar offence.

CRITICAL ILLNESS OF MR ISMAY. The condition of Mr T. H. Ismay, head of the White Star Line, who recently underwent a severe operation, was on Monday reported as critical, and little hope is now entertained of his recovery. Mr Ismay is lying at his residence, Dawpoel, CtiWuce. '). nrfr