The Pontypridd Chronicle and Workman's News

LONIK)^ CLUBS AND SOCIETY. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. ) Ili, ;it- i ruiiiour to the effect that an attempt -will he in.nl. to induce the Government to close the l b IV against newspaper writers on the ground flf its oeiugtoo crowded at night. Such a s p would be very unjust and unpopular, and need 111 r br- taken. The better plan would be -onI v t" a low thfl recognised representatives of pap rs "r associations to enter. At present the lo ,iN, is crowded by people who are there only frot, I motives of curiosity. The sooner they are excluded the better. The newspaper represen- tat,v -s are there for business. Professor Baldwin and Mr. Robertson point out a r.-al danger. They were the Assistant Irish Commissioners and they report to some ex- ten' in favour of land reform. But the report als.. animadverts "upon the excessive rates of interest charged by bankers and village usurers, and gives an unfavourable account of the condition of the peasant proprietors who have t.ten settled on the Church lands in Armagh." It is necessary in avoiding Scylla not to f,L;l into Charyhdis and rapacious usurers are the greatest difficulty in the present situa- tion. The Prince of Wales was among the sleigh drivers in the streets of London. Sleigh driving .aeciiis to be growing suddenly into as great a popularity as in Scotland. The authorities Were prayed, therefore, not to clear the streets of snow. Atilan did it a few years ago at the ex- pense of £ 9,000. It would cost London ten times as much. Ordinary pedestrians would be butter off. But there would be no sleigh driving for the aristocracy. His Royal Highness, who was in capital health and spirits, drove himself, and seemed much delighted at the in- terest taken in his proceedings by the spectators. Much blame cannot be attached to our paro- chial authorities for their inability to cope with the recent emergency; most of them .seemed completely overwhelmed, and, folding their arms in Ottoman-like resignation, to have resolved to leave the invading anow to its own unpleasant self. I wish, however, to draw at- tention to two matters. In a certain dis- trict, about a mile from the river, the Testry carted the mingled snow and dirt from the main thoroughfares, and deposited the mixture in one or two small side streets. Here in at least one case which came under my notice there accumulated a long heap of this nasty conglomeration, from 8 to even 14 or m re feet high in some parts, and of equal dia- meter, the top of it being level with the first- floor windows of the houses. Now.what must be the effects of the thaw upon the residents ? And now for grumble number two. The con- tractors for clearing the City seemed to be able to find no better point of the Thames in which to ,ertipty cartloads than the centre of Black- friars Bridge. Here they erected a barriei ticross the pavement, and were shooting the anow over the railing of that structure. Crowds of passengers, most of them timid women, were brought to a standstill, unable to use the pavement, and afraid to go over to the opposite side of the bridge, as a round -doz -n or more of the carls were careering madly about, to the imminent danger of the limbs of any with tembrity sufficient to induce them to cross. The utter disregard of these people for the comfort of the public by whom they are employed has seldom been more emphati- cally demonstrated, while the language used by the men engaged wns the reverse of fljwery. On the river the tug boats have been hard at work rescuing barges which, being caught in the ice drift, were powerless to move in the direo- tion they were required to go. I see that the tugs are sufficiently strong to crush down the ice, and that no difficulty has been experienced when steam is used. But down at Gravesend a large number of small boats have been utterly destroyed, and the iee-floe was very strong in- deed. The frost and snow have had an effect upon London life, and they have stopped nearly all sales, and particularly the sales of horses. Scarcely a horse has arrived in London for a week. The owners want to dispose of tliein but they cannot be sent to London, and they could not be sold if even they were sent. Buy- ing animals (f any kind is just now out of the question. I went to see a pantomime just to find out what a theatre was like in this weather. 0, drearihead Not all the limelight in Covent Garden Theatre could make the play inspiriting. Toe solos had to be left out because the singers could not sing. The choruses could not be h ard because the voices of the choir were frozen. The people shivered during the transformation scene. The best jokes of the clown fell flat and before the harlequin- ade was half over the audience was already for the most part on the way home. The theatrical frost is almost ruinous. Only the Cup seems to draw. It is really a remark- able fact that on Wednesday night there was, as the theatrical slang is, nearly 9300 in the Lyceum Theatre. A London rector writes to the Times com- plfining of the illiberality of the water com- panies in supplying the necessary fluid during the present condition of frost. 1 can confirm the reverend complainant from my own per- sonal experiences. For some happy reason or other, I was the only householder in my street who was not frozen up, and I had to aupply my neighbours every morning. The clergyman in question states that small-pox is rife in his district, and yet the company refuse to make any concession in this very important sanitary matter. There is a great row coming on in the City. An official about whom there was a disturbance JJome time back, having quarrelled with one of his clerks again, has just had several charges mad., against him which may, of course, be quite unfounded but they are of so grave a nature that a committee of the Common Council is to hold a meeting at once to inquire into the state of the case. Inasmuch as the election of officers for the City comes on in a fortnight, there will have to be a Battlement of this diffi- culty before that time arrives. Lady Rosebery, who, as you know, has been very lately confined, and is in I el still, figured in nearly all the papers as having been present At Mr. Leopold de Rothschild's wedding. She was not there,and is excessively annoyed at being 4eiieribed minutely by nearly every writer about the wedding. I am sorry to learn from a letter In the Church Times that Bethlehem," which was repre- sented at St. Peter's, London Docks, and after- wards at St. Saviour's Hospital, by the "Sisters of the Poor," will not be given again this year. It appears that this revival of the religious plays of the Middle Ages has for some time beé n an annual institution in the parish of St. Michael's, Shoreditch, where it was originated by the Rev. H. D. Nihill. The late Mr. Lowder wrote the prologue to Bethlehem" and himself acted the part of Simeon in the tableau of the Presentation. One of the correspondents of the Church Times (for two letters appear to-day) signs himself The Former Impersonator of St. Joseph," and says: "I may add that a friend of mine, a public man and litterateur, not of our nation, Church, or faith, saw it this year, and describes It as the most beautiful and touching thing he has seen in England." Most of those who took part in the representation had carefully studied the Passion Play at Ober-Ammergau. One of the results of Mr. Sothern's invete- rate habit of joking was that nobody took him on trust when he was most serious. During his last tour in America, he was accompanied by the Bohemian Duke of Beaufort, abroad for his health, which the climate of England did not suit. Mr. Sothern would introduce my lord Duke to his friends and they would at once begin to make fun of him, calling him Grace" so comically, and with such mock reverence, that when they found the reality of his rank they were ready to eat Mr. Sothern for telling them the truth. The actor enjoyed the joke; but not 10 much as the Duke.

NODION CYMREIG. AT Y BEIRDD. Luosg gyfeillion, dymunaf eich cefnogaeth er mwyn gwneyd y Golofn hon mor ddyddorol ag sydd bosibl. Darnau byrion, ar destynau o nod- wedd gyffredinol fydd yn fwyaf derbyniol, eto, ni chauir allan ddarnau 0 nodwedd lleol, os byddant yn meddu teilyngdod dironol. Hefyd, rhoddir pob cynorthwy i rai fyddo yn dechreu os can- fyddir yn eu cynyrchion arwyddion o dalent ac athrylith. Bydd yn dda genym roddi lie i ohebiaethau cymreig, ond rhaid i'r cyfryw fod yn dal pertbynas a'n gwlad, a'n hiaith, ein llen- yddiaeth, ein cenedl, a'n defodau; llythyrau byrion, eglur, cryno, a phwrpasol, fydd fwyaf cymeradwy; ond ni chaiff un math o gecraeth, a difriaeth ddangos eu bigyn yn y Golofn Gymreig. Hyfrydwch fydd fenym roddi lie i ambell feir- niadaeth yn y Golofn, os bydd y cyfryw yn fyr ac addysgiadol, a byny er mvyn amrywiaeth. Gwir nad ydym yn credu y gallwll foddloni pawb, ond ymdrechwn wneyd y Golofn mor ddyddorol a darllenadwy ag y caniata yr adnodau hyny a ymddiriedir i'n gofal. Yr eiddoch, &c., CARNELIAN. Y DANCHWA. A gawn ni alw sylw neillduol ein glowyr trwy yr ardaloedd at ysgrifau gwerthfawr Mr H. W. Hughes yn y Pontypridd Chronicle, ar Fferylliaeth Tanchwa," (Chemistry of explosion). Mae yn llawn bryd newid cyfeiriad ein hymchwiliadau er cael allan gynllun i with-weithio ac i atal elfenau tanllyd dan y ddaear i suddo cynifer i dragwyddoldeb yn ddirybydd. Digon o awyr yw lief y glowr, digon o awyr yw unig ddyfais pob swyddog yn ein glofeydd. Ond y mae yn ffaith gyda'r boll welliantau i awyru y gweithiau y mae y danchwa yn cynyddu o byd. Er ys deugain mlynedd yn ol nid oedd un cynllun i awyru, ac anamliawn y dygwyddaielfenau tanllyd llosgnwy dori allan. Mae hyn yn ddigon i gymell ein glowyr i fyfyrio y pwnc, a hyny yn drylwyr. Nid oes dim ag y mae pob gweithiwr yn dal y fath gyfrifoldeb a'r gweithiwr tanddaearol. Mae peryglon y morwr yn fawr; ond y mae y llong dan lywyddiaeth y cadben, neu ei is-awyddogion. Ond y mae dyogelwch y lofa i gyd yn ymddi- bynu ar y bachgenyn mwyaf anwybodus ac anys- tyriol. Gall un hogyn trwy ei ryfyg fod yn achlysur i'r danchwa yn yr holl lofa. Tybiwn yn sicr na ddylai neb gael dechreu dan y ddaear heb ei fod wedi dysgu rhyw gymaint am yr elfenau a'r nwyon a fodolant yno; ie, dylasai ein hysgolion roddi gwersi mewn fferylliaeth yn gystal arhifydd- iaith. Defnydiier yr oriau hamddenol i fyfyrio hyn. Yn lie treilio'r amser ar gonglau heolydd, a pben y bont, gallai glowyr ddefnyddio'r adeg i gyfoethogi eu meddyliau yn y wybodaeth hono sydd yn dal y fath gysylltiad a'u goruchwylion bydol." Byddai hyn yn ddyrchaifadpwysig iddynt yn ddeallol a nioesol. BEDDARGRAFFY PARCH. JAMES THOMAS, I C KRMEL. Buddugol yn Eisteddfod Tresimwn, Nadolig 1880. Gwas Iesu yn y gwys isel-huna.'n Awr henoed ger Carmel, Dyn o foes a doniau fel 0 awchiad y Nef uchel. ETO I'R TYLOTTY," Buddugol. Ty cyhoedd rhengoedd gwir angen,-ydyw'r Rheidiol Dlotty cymen; Glanwaith yw-rhagluniaeth wèn, r_1 Urdda'i les-Lwrdcl elusen. n. ETO I'R DIWEDDAR JENKINS, YSW., LLANHARAN. Buddugol. Aer hael Pantnawael* yw -nod-hylonaf Olynwyr hen Nimrod: Tarian i feirdd, tirion fod, A llewaidd a.r faes llywod. Uwch sirydd, parchus wron,-a difalch Bendefig, car Tlodion; Yn fur fu i'n harferion, A gwyliai les gwalia Ion. AP RHYDDBBCH. .PantDawaeI, ei le genedigol. RHEOLAU CYMDEITHAS YMFUDOL Y CYMRY. 1. ENW.—" Cymdeithas Ymfudol y Cymry." 2. Fod amcan y Gymdeithas i roddi cynorthwy i'r Cymry i ymfudo i'r un man, sef Patagonia, ac nid cynorthwy y genedl Gymreig i ymwasgaru i bob cwr o'r byd. 3. Cylch y Gymdeithas i fod dros holl Gymru, a rbanau o drefi Lloegr lle mae Cymry yn trigianu, a sefydlir eanghenau trwy bob rhan o'r dywys- ogaeth, a manau eraill. 4. Fod un swyddfa gyffredinol i'r Gymdeithas mown lie a benodir eto gan y Pwyllgor Cyffredinol. BWYDDOGIOK. 5. Fod pedwar o ddynion cyfrifol i fod yn ym- ddiriedolwyr y Gymdeithas. 6. Llywydd, Is-Iywydd, Trysorydd, ac Ysgrifen- ydd Cyffredinol,-y swyddogion uchod i'w hethol yn flynyddol gan y Pwyllgor Cyffredinol. 7. Fod Arolygydd Cyffredinol parhaol i fod ar holl fuddianau y Gymdeithas, ac fod pob Gweith- redoedd, Cytundebau, Cheques, &c., i gael eu harwyddo ganddo ef gyda sel y Gymdeithas. 8. Hefyd fod Llywydd, Is-lywydd, dau Drysor- wyr, ac Ysgrifenydd i fod yn swyddogion pob adran leol o'r Gymdeithas, ac i'w hethol yn flynyddol gan bwyllgorau lleol. ARIANWYB. 9. North & South Wales Bank. CYTBIFON. 10. Fod pob cangen leol i anfon ei chyfrifon i Swyddfa Gyffredinol y Gymdeithas a.r ddiwedd pob mis. Cyfrifon y Gymdeithas i gael eu gwneyd i fyny bob blwyddyn, a bod dau yn cael eu nodi i archwilio holl lyfrau a chyfrifon y Gymdeithas, ac i wneyd adroddiad o sefyllfa y cyllid, &c., ar ddiwedd pob blwyddyn. Diwedd blwyddyn gyllidol y Gymdeithas i derfynu gyda thaliad Rhagfyr. TALIADAU 11. Blaendaliadau Is.; taliadau misol 6c. ac uchod. Bydd rhyddid i'r aelodau dalu unrhyw swm uwchlaw 6c. y mis, gan y bwriedir i'r Gym- deithas roddi cefnogaeth i ddarbodaeth yn ei haelodau, yn gystal a chynorthwyo i ymfudo. Ond dealler na bydd neb yn aelod os na bydd yn talu 6c. yn fisol. 12. Pob aelod fydd mewn dyled i'r Gymdeithas o dri mis fo 1 dirwy o 6c.; ac os mewn dyled o chwe' mis, Is.; ac os heb dalu am flwyddyn coUir hawl o'r Gymdeitbas. 13. Gan y bwriedir i'r Gymdeithas gefnogi dar- bodaeth, ymrwymir i dalu yn ol i bob aelod (os na bydd yn ymfudo) y swm dyledug iddo dros 6c, y mis, gyda llog y Bank arnynt am bob blwyddyn y byddont wedi bod yn y Gymdeithas. Pob aelod i roddi mis o rybudd am ei arian. 14. Os digwydd i aelod farw, ac yntau wedi talu i mewn i'r cyllid swm uwchlaw 6c. y mis. gyda'r bwriad o ymfudo, neu gynilo, dychwelir ei holl arian a fydd dros 6c. yn fisol i'w berthynasau agosaf. 15. Cyfarfodydd y Gymdeithas i'w cjnal yn flaol mewn lie canolog yn mhob ardal, pryd y derbynir y taliadau misol, ao yr hysbysir unrhyw newyddion o bwys mewn cysylltiad a'r Gymdeithas ac a'r Wladfa, Ac.. 16. Fed pob ceisiadau am gynorthwy 1 ymfudo 1 w hanfon i'r pwyligor Ileol lie y byddo yr ymgeiswyr yn aelodau, pa rai fydd ganddynt bawl i bender- fynu, wedi ystyrie.i y ceisiadau gan bwy o'r ym- geiswyr y bydd yr bawl flaenaf, ac i hysbysu hyny i'r Pwyllgor Cyffredinol. 17. Fod cynorthwy i ymfudo i'w ganiatau i bob cangen leol, yn ol safle y cyUid fyddis wedi ei dalu i'r drysorfa gyffredinol. 18. Fod undeb rhwng y Gymdeithas hon a'r Cyngor yn y Wladfa; a chyn y cynorthwyir neb, gofynir i bob ymfudwr, neu benteulu, i ymrwymo yn gyfreithiol i ad-dalu yr hyn a roddir iddo o arian dros ben yr hyn a dalasai ef i mewn i'r Gymdeithas. a hyny yn mhen chwe' mlynedd wedi ei laniad yn y Wladfa, gyda Hog yn ol X5 y cant am y pedair blynedd diweddaf o'r chwech, a bod y Cyngor yn y Wladfa yn derbyn yr ad-daliadau, a'n trosglwyddo drosodd i'r Gymdeithas, fel y byddont yn gynorthwy i anfon ereill. 19. Cynryohiolaeth i'r Pwyllgor Cyffredinol fel y canlyn.-Am 50 ao isod o aelodau, un cynrych. iolydd am 100, 2 3 am 200 4 am 300 5 am 400, &c. 20. Fod gan fwyafrif yn cynwys dwy ran o dair o'r aelodau, trwy gydsyniad mwyafrif y Pwyllgor Cyffredinol, hawl i gyfnewid trwy dynn oddiwrth, neu roddi at, unrhyw un o'r rheolau uchod, yn ot fel y byddo yr amgylchiadau ar y pryd. 'L' Rhoddir 240 Erw o dir da i bob tenia o an. Pawb a ddymunent ymuno gyda'r Gymdeithas uchod anfonent at WATCYN AT M. GWILYM, Pontypridd.

LOCAL ITEMS. PONTYPUDD. SUDDEN DEATH.—Mrs. Hvies: wife of Mr Davies, sexton of Glyntaff Church died on Tuesday after but a few hours' illness. Through the severity of he weather a great num- ber of navvies have been thrown out of work, by the forced stoppage on the Clydach Valley Railway. It is expected, however, a tart will again be made shortly. DEATH OF MR. qeoTT.-N ,illiani Scott, the plate- layer, who while at PontyMJd Station, on the Tall Vale Railway, was knocke( down by the Abeidare pilot engine, on the 13th just., died on Tuesday afternoon in consequence If the injuries which he received. DEATH OF MR J. JCKES, BUTCHERS' ARMS, PONTYPRIDD. We are sorty to have to record the death of our neighbour Mr Jones on Thursday mor- ning after long and protracted illness. He was 68 years of age, and had resided in Pontypridd for 33 years. He came here first in 1848 as time keeper on the Rhondda Branch of the Taff ValJ Railway; but was married to Mrs. Morgans of the Butchers' Arms it 1849; from which time up to his decease he kept the above Inn. He was much esteemed in the town and obtained a position of influence in the neighbourhood. MEETING OF THE TAJrr VALE SIGNALMEN.—On Sunday last, a number of delegates representing about 100 signalmen was held at the Pontypridd Coffee Tavern, to hear the results of the interview which the appointed deputation had abmt a week s'nee with the officials of the Taff Vale Railway company. Although the answer to their petition was recognised by the sigoilcnen as a very kindly one, and in some measure in accordantte with their wishes, yet they unanimously indulged in the hope that the managers would again kiudly♦direct their attention to the appeal ninde to them, and that after renewed consideration they Vould grant even more than they have already proluised. The meeting closed with a vote of thanka to the deputation for their services, and to Miss Williams, the manageress of the coffee-tavern, for her great kindness. Go to OLIVER'S, 80, Tflff'street, Pontypridd, for your boots and shoes. Colliers' strong boots at 6s. lid. Mens' light ending boots, 5s lid and 6s lid. Women's nailed boots, 4s, 4a. 6d. Boy's and girls nailed boots, Is lid, 2s 4d, 2s 8d, 3s aild 3s 6d. i -— pora. On Sunday Morning January the 23rd two persons were baptised by immersion at Salem Baptist Chapel by the Rev. G. Thomas, Pastor. One of a series of papular entertainments was held Tuesday evening JaD. 25th, at Salem Vestry, consisting of reading, recitations, competition and singing. Mr J. Walters And Miss E. Thomas pre- sided at the harmonium. Chairman, Rev. G. Thoma?. Th' se meetings have proved very popular and entertaining in the past, and they are to be continued foitnightly Juring the ensuing winter months. .1 PEftfGRAIG. THE PENYGRAIG EXPKJSION RELIEF FUND.—Mr Gwilym Williams, ^tiskiu Manor, chairman of the Penygraig Relief Committee, has received 917 Os 3d, as the contribution of t)e men employed by Messrs Insole, Sons, and Co., 2ymmer Colliery, towards this fanq. TRSORKY. THE READINQ R001-—By the untiring efforts of a few benevolent anl philanthropic gentlemen this much needed ins,itution was established in this populous town, upwards of three years ago. During the first year,notwithstanding the large amount expended on the conversion of suitable premises, and the firnishing of the room with the necessary apparatus to accommodate those who would avail ttemselves of the readables provided for them, suficient money was raised to pay the rent and other incidentals. To that the treasurer received, inthe year 1878-79 the sum of .£468s 4d, which, colsidering the depression that prevailed in that year was, to say the least, very satisfactory, and au/uring well for the future of the Treorky Readhg Room. But, since then, owing to some reasons, or combination of cir- cumstances, the institution has not been as well patronised in the slape of subscriptions. The attendance continues admirably, and is increasing, which shows that efforts to provide for the intel- lectual of the man at appreciated in the town, and the needs of SUc'1 a boon remains the same. Consequent upon a ry material falling off in the snbscriptions, and at existing debt, amounting to nearly.250, a very inportant Committee meeting was held last Friday, Jan. 21, to consider the pre- sent position and future prospects of the Reading Room; and several rlembers entertained strongly the opinion that itwould be necessary to close the room very sofa. Others thought that it would be a disgrale to the churches, ministers, tradesmen, and all the inhabitants of the town generallywere this useful light extin- guished in their mflst. But two points pressed themselves upon thf Committee—" How to meet the existing burden and how to meet the inci- dental expenses in future." Considerable surprise was evinced at the total absence of the names of colliery proprietors of the district from the sub- scription list; and Pt the cold shoulder shown to it by men who re opposed and profess to be de- sirous of ameliorating their fellow men, and to draw them from the public-house. It is only fair to say that the licensed victuallers of Treorky have done more for this institution than some who are in high J>lM3es, whom we would expect to be present in evefy movement tending to better mankind. However, it was decided by the Com- mittee at that meeting to continue their exertions and renew their zeal in future. A Committee, loudly representative, was appointed to organise and carry out" a building concert," the proceeds to be devoted towards the extinction of the debt We trust that their labours will be crowned with success. Why cauaot the subscription list be en- larged, and contain the names and subscriptions of all the colliery proprietors in the neighbour- hood; and though the noble head of the Ocean Steam Coal Conway has already shown his readi- ness and liberality in this direction by providing a splendid coffee-rodu and reading-room for his workmen, at Cwmlark, yet I have no doubt when a proper application is made to him that he will not forget or refuse a little for Treorky. He has done nobly towards our chapels and school, and stands a beautiful exception to the rule. The other gentlemen may well imitate his example. Let the ministers of the town, as a body, come out in its support as well. Some of them have worked energetically with the institution from the commencement- Where are the Good Temp- lars ? Where ere the Sons of Temperance? Where are the deacons of the various churches in the town ? Where are the members of the same ? Echo answers-Wliere ? They are conspicuous by their absence from the meetings and subscription list, and from a.tnoDg the supporters of this move- ment. It will reflect very derogatively on the town if the bitfor end of closing the reading-room be reached. The Treorkyites must be up and doing, I was very glad to find that the workmen in.the lower Pait of this valley had taken the mat- ter of providing a reading-room into their own hands; could tl.>t the workmen of T oorky rouse themselves and see for their ,;i es that the Trorky Reading Boom shall not be c-i -;ed for want of support. Wherever the fault hib lain, let the past be buried, and let the future ".lOW that we are the true fj-ieDds of humanity, morality, edu- cation and religion. LLWYNPIA. ANNIVERSARY SERVICES were held at Jerusalem Baptist Chapel on Sunday and Monday last, when the following minioterir officiated Revs. J. Jones, Felinfoel; W.C. Williams (Cenlanydd), Merthyr; R. Roberta, Llvtyuhendy. The meetings were well attended, and very good collections were made towards the rhopol Fund. LLANTRISANT. THE IDA —It is rumoured in this district that a new company is about being formed to work the Ida Pits situate between Tynant «nd Gelynog Collieries, in tLe parish of Llantrisant, being part of Powell's Llantyjt jCoIleries, and lately worked by the Powell's Llaotwit Colliery Compauy (Limited). This property* in the parish of Llantrisant, together with the adjoining properties in the parish of Llan. twit Vardre, are of great value and very important, having upward. of 400 acres of the No; 1, 2, and 3 seams of the Llgdtwit house and gas coal-there un- worked—which is available and can be worked from there to a gree.t advantage. The fact of all suitable machinery having been erected, and in good work- iug order will, I hope, be a guarantee for an early start; besides there are many other properties in close proxiaaitfthe extent of several hundred « acres of the same seams, that can be procured upon very advantageous terms a very small outlay is required to make a branch railway to the colliery from the Llantrisant branch Taff Vale Railway, over land which could be obtained on very reasonable terms, by which a through communication would be m )de direct with the ports of Cardiff and Penarth. We wish the company every suecess in its under- taking.

DISTRICT INTELLIGENCE. ON SATURDAY night or early on Sunday morning, a very respectable woman named Jones, the wife of a Commercial Traveller, at Cardiff, committed suicide by cutting her throat. It appeared that she had lately been low-spirited. THERE is a great pcarity of water in Cardiff owing to the cold weather having frozen up the small supply pipes of the Water Works. Ox SATURDAY, William Lewis, a child of four years, met with a fatal accident in Mill-street, Aber- dare. Deceased, who was the son of Thomas Lewis residing at 62, Mill-street, Trecynon, was playing on Saturday afternoon with some other little ones, and fell down on the road just as a coal cart was passing. The wheel passed over the child, dis- locating its neck; and it died soon afterwards. THE following letter has been received by Ser- jeant Simon, of Dewsbury, from the Right Hon.A. J' Mundella, V'ce-President of the Council of Educa- tion, in referenee to the Jewish young ladies, the Misses Hart, monitresses in connection with the Aberdare School Boarl Privy Council Office, 21st Jan., 1881. Dear Simon,—The inspector has had special in- struouong to examin i the two airls named Hart on a day other than Saturday, and this will be done next month at the inspection of the schools. STRANGE INCIDENT AT PENYGRAIG.—On Thurs- day, 20th inst. two sparrows flew down the shaft of Penrhiwfer Colliery and not only reached the bottom, but penetrated for about a 100 yards into the workings. This curious freak can hardly be accounted for, except by the severe weather. THE BUILDER who was remanded at Cardiff on a charge of false pretences, has been committed for trial at the forthcoming Assizes. THB ELECTION of a councillor to represent the Sonth Ward in the Cardiff Town Council, in the place of the late Councillor John Evans, took place on Monday, with the following result :— John Gunn 451 W. H. Martin 386

PONTYPRIDD MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION The ordinary meeting of the abave association was held in the Wesleyan Vestry on Wednesday, the 26th in it. After the dispatch of the usual preli- minary business an entertainment of readings and recitations was hovrtily er j >yed, the programme being as follows.-Recit, Alarm," (Anon), Mr John Grant; reading, My Study," Mr Arthur Evans; reading, .e Absalom (Willis), Mr H. Porcher; reading, Blind Old Milton," (Aytoun," Mr D. McGregor reading, "Speech by Lord Chat- ham, on the American War," Mr W. Jones. Each recitation and reading being given by the members. The association now consists of 36 members, and promises to be a sjurce of healthy and very instruc- tive amusement for young men during the Winter evenings. It is to ba hoped the mumber of mem- bers will steadily increase. and that the Association will be a permanent institution in the town. flOn Wednesday evening next Nir W. A. McMurray, Post-office, wiil read a paper on Telegraphy, to be illustrated By telegraphic instruments. A grand concert will be held shortly in connec- tion with the Association, and under the auspices of the Penygraig Relief Fund Committee, the pro- ceeds to be for the benefit of the widows and orphans of the men killed in the recent deplotable explosion. Such worthy efforts of the Association at e deserv- ing the general support of the public.. 'I h:

WIGAN ELECTION. I" ::1-- The vacancy caused in the Parliamentary repre- sentation of Wigan by the accession of Lord Lindsay to the Peerage on the death of Lord Crawford of Bal- carres has been filled by the election of Mr. F. S. Powell, the Conservative candidate, who obtained 469 votes more than his Liberal opponent, Mr. John Lancaster, the numbers being-Mr. Powell, 3,005 Mr. Lancaster, 2,536. Lord Lindsay being also a Conservative, the result of the election makes no difference in the position of either party. It should be stated, however, that at the general election Lord Lindsay only polled 66 more than Mr. Lanjaster. There has, therefore, been a considerable increase in the Conservative majority,

MUTINY AT SEA. On the arrival of the ship Superior at Scilly, from Moulmein, the captain reported that on December 13, in lat. 12 deg. 10 sec. N., long. 28 deg. W., she sighted a barque, hove to, flying signals of distress, and requiring immediate assistance. The mate and four men went on board and found that she was the barque Petunia, of London, bound from Swansea for Algoa Bay. The master stated that a Ruseian uailor, Erik Nailk, had mutinied, and attempted to murder the crew. On their endeavour- ing to secure him, the master, mate, and three of the crew were seriously wounded by him. Nailk had taken refuge in the hold, having # cut the pipe of the tank, depriving the ship of a supply of water. The mate of the Superior volun- teered to secure Nailk, with the help of hie men. After cutting a hole on deck to give light, they went down in the hold and Nailk imme- diately made an onslaught upon them with an iron bar. The mate, in order to save one of his men who stood in imminent peril, was compelled to shoot Nailk with his revolver, but the shot was aimed so as to wound, and not to kill. Nailk was then over- powered and placed in irons. The mate and crew of the Petunia afterwards returned to their vessel, and the ships proceeded on their respective voyages.

SUSPENSION OF A BANK. The Southport and West Lancashire Banking Company (Limited), has closed its doors. The im- mediate cause of its suspension is that during the pre- vious week, owing to the rumours that the bank was Ihaky. there was a heavy run upon it. This strain occurring at a time when customers had been allowed to overdraw their accounts was more than the bank could stand. The bank commenced business four years ago with a capital of half a million sterling in £ 10 shares, of which £ 150,000 has been paid up, as well as a reserve fund of £ 22,000. The bank has since lost a quarter of a million, and last years losses are estimated at £ 60,000. Their last dividend was at the rate of 5^ per cent. There being more than half of the capital still to be called up, it is expected that the shareholders will have their claims paid m full; still the temporary inconvenience will be great. Ihe West Lancashire Railway Company is constructing a new line to Preston, and recently issued preference shares to the amount of £ 200,000 but whether the undertaking will be impeded it is impossible to say. The Southport corporation have £ 27,000 deposited iu the bank, and it was only a week !ago that Mr. Councillor Gregory proposed to withdraw 210,000 to invest in Consols, but the proposal was not carried. The suspension of the bank will place the corpora- tion in a very difficult position, as they are now incurring large expenditure in the extension of the promenade and the erection of a new market, which together will cost £ 90,000. A notice has been issued by the secretary of the bank stating that the register of transfers will be closed until the 14th day of February next. The petition for winding up the bank has been presented to the Lord Chancellor by Messrs. Chadwick and Co., Queen Insurance-build- ings, Liverpool, commission agents, and creditors of the said company. The petition is directed to be heard befcre his lordship,Vice-Chancellor Sir Richard Malins, on Friday, the 28th inst.

Consequent upon the departure of the Inniskilling Dragoons to South Africa, the 5th Dragoon Guarda are ordered from Brighton to replace them at Leeds. The 69th Regiment, from Portsmouth, will occupy the new barracks at York, which have just been com- It is the intention of Mr. Cubitt, M.P., to move for a Select Committee to consider to what extent the fogs of London are injurious to life, health, and property; whether they have increased and are in. creasing from causes which are controllable whether the existing Acts of Parliament relative to the con. sumption of smoke are applicable to the present state of the Metropolis and can still be enforced; and whether alteration or extension of this legislation would be beneficial. Barbara Macintosh, who now lies in Edinburgh prison, will be brought up on the 31st instant on four charges of culpable homicide, or, alternatively, of wilfully neglecting children of a tender age, with whose care she had been entrusted, in consequence of which they died. A contemporary states that a comprehensive scheme for dealing with the Turkish debt is in course of negotiation between the German financiers who have lately taken office at Stamboul and various banking firms at Constantinople, but no definite result has as yet been a-rived at. Arrangements have just been complet d with the British Electric Light Company for the experi- mental lighting of certain important parts of the General Post Office, St. Maxtins-le-Grana. The first series of the experiments will be oottducUd ia the telegraph instrument galleri*.

IMPEKIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF LORDS.—THURSDAY. There was no business entered fur consideration, and Earl Fortescue having given notice of a matter he intended to bring before the House at the next sitting, their lordships adjourned. HOUSE OF COMMONS.—THUKSDAT. Mr. Ashmead-Bartlett, who had given notice of an amendment on the Address, being appealed to by Sir R. Cross, consented not to proceed with it.—Mr. T. Rogers inquired on a point of order, with reference to Mr. Dawson's amendment to the Address, whether any member could suggest that the House should ask, her Majesty to submit a measure to Par- liament.—The Speaker admitted that the phrase- ology was inaccurate. The Government permitted the amendment to be withdrawn and a similar amend- ment with a coirectad wording substituted iu its place. —After a little further discussion, it was negatived by 274 to 34.-Mr.O'Kelly thereupon moved an amend- ment praying her Majesty to guarantee to the people of Ireland their constitutional right of public meeting.— Mr. Gladstone declined to be drawn into the c'.ebate on the subject raised in the distinct circumstances, and, after some attempts on the part of Irish mem- bers to prolong the debate, a division was taken, when the amendment was rejected by 173 votei to 34.— The Address was then agreed to.—Upon the Report, Sir W. Lawson moved an amendment, calling upon her Majesty to take immediate steps, either by com- munication with the Government of Cape Colony or by proposing mediation between the contending parties to prevent further destruction of life and property in Basutoland.—Sir H. Holland and Mr. Gorst justi- tied the Imperial policy.—Mr. Grant Duff opposed the amendment, and reminded the mover that her Ma- jesty had in her speech opening the session stated that it would cause her much satisfaction if a suitable occasion should present itself for friendly action on her part with a view to the restoration of peace. He pointed to the great danger to the South African Colonies of allowing the Basutos to be armed while there was such a vast disparity between whites and blacks in their territory.—Sir W. Lawson with- drew his motion, and the Report was agreed to amid cheers.—Mr. Healy obtained leave to bring in a bill relating to Irish coroners.—Mr. McLiver obtained leave to introduce a bill to amend the Employerit Liability Act, 1880. HOUSE OF LORDS.-FRMAY. Lord Fortescue called attention to a precedent for introducing in that Chamber a bill for the better pro- tection of life and property in Ireland.—Lord Gran- ville did not consider this convincing and after a short conversation their lordships adjourned. HOUSE OF COMMONS —FBIDAT. On the order for going into committee of Supply, Mr. Rylands xsalled attention to the state of affairs in the Transvaal, and moved that the annexation of that territory was impolitic and unjustifiable, and that the House would view with regret any measures ta ;en by her Majesty's Government with the object of enforcing British supremacy over its inhabitants, who rightfully claimed their national independence. —Mr. Gladntone admitted that he had expressed dis- approval of the annexation of the Transvaal, as well as that of Cyprus and Afghanistan, but to disap- prove of an annexation was one thing and to abandon it was another. So far as the annexation in South Africa was concerned, the Government could not forget that new obligations had arisen out of it which could not be disregarded. He deplored the existence of hostilities, but toped that the in- structions given to Sir Hercules Robinson would tend to restore order, and bring the working of the Dew colony into harmony. The Government would act with firmness, temper and promptitude in re- e>tablishing tho authority of the Crown, and, having accomplished that object, pursue a policy which would be for the benefit of the inhabitants.—Sir S. North- cote thought this a very inopportune moment for raising this question, and especiaily deprecated the use of language which, while war was actually going on, might lead the Boers to suppose that we thought them in the right. Mr. Ry. lands's account of the P .nexation, he shewed was altogether incorrect, and so far from it beirg a deliberate act of the late Government, they acquiesced in it as an inevitable measure of self-protection. -Eventually Mr. Rylands offered to withdraw his motion, but the House refu-ed its permission, and uron dividing negatived the motion by 129 to 33, or a majority of 96.—Mr. Fendel brought in a bill to amend the law relating to distress for rent. ——————————— HOUSE OF LORDS.—MONDAY. The Duke of Richmond and Gordon called attention to the provisional order made by the Secretary of State relating to Burnett's Literary Fund (which was bequeathed to Aberdeen University in 1783), and moved that the House should disagree with the same. —Lord Granville intimated that the Government assented to the proposal. HOUSE OF COMMONS.-MOND.&T. After questions had been answered, Mr. Forster rose to move for leave to bring in his Bill for the Better Protection of Person and Property in Ireland. At the outset he cited statistics to shew that the condition of Ireland was more alai ming than some people were aware of. Durirg last year there had been 1,253 cases of agrarian outrage exclusive of threatening letters, against 950 in 1845, the worst year pre- viously known. The greatest increase had been in the last three months of the year, iu which two- thirds of the whole had been perpetrated, and there had been more crime in December than in October and November put together. The chief object of the outrages was intimidation with a view to securing obe. dience to the mandates of the Land League The League had struck terror into the people. Parliament must strike terror into them, and the outrages would stop. He asked for power to enable the Lord-Lieutenant, by his warrant, to arrest any person whom he might reasonably suspect to be guilty, either as principal or accessory, of treason or treasonable practices, or of any offence against law and order in proclaimed districts, and to detain him as a person accused of crime and not convicted the Act to continue in force for 18 months, until the 30th of September next year.—Dr. Lyons moved an amendment in favour of giving precedence to remedial legislation, and asking the Government to reconsider their decision.—The amendment having been seconded by Mr. Givan, the debate was continued by Mr. Dillon, and several other hon. rnembers.-Sir S. Northcote held that Mr. Forster's speech bad amply proved his case, and promised the Government the full support of the Opposition in passing the bill into law.—On the motion of Mr. Labouchere, the debate was adjourned.—A bill to amend the law respecting the obtaining of corn returns was brought in by Mr. E. Ashley, and read a first time. HOUSE OF COMMONS.—TUESDAY. The debate on Mr Forster's measure was con- tinued throughout Tuesday and Tuesday night, the sitting of the House continuing without interval through Wedensday. HOUSE OF COMMONS.—WEDNESDAY. The conduct of the Irish members was most dis- graceful when we consider the present state of Ireland. The Government, however, was well supported. Mr Biggar. one of the obstructionists, was suspended by 164 against 30, after which he withdrew. An effort was then made by the ob- structionists to adjourn the debate. This was also negatived by a majority of 135. At 10 minutes to 2 o'clock a final division was taken, when Mr Gladstone's motion was carried by 218 majority. Only 33 having voted against it. The House then adjourned until 4 o'clock to-day (Thursday).

COLLIERS' MEETING IN THE RHONDDA VALLEY. On Monday the meeting of colliers' delegates for the various collieries in the Rhondda Valley was held at; Dinas, when the following resolution was passed:— "That this meeting of Rhondda miners' delegates wholly Tejects under the circumstances the proposed miners' permanent relief fund until the matter comes formally before the mining delegates of South Wales and Monmouthshire in the usual course also that the meeting express the strongest disapproval and censure of the method adopted by the employers of forcing the fund upon the workmen individually. The meeting further desires to intimate to men who may have given their names in this way to the em- ployers, as supporters of the fund, that there is no compulsion upon them to adhere to what they then promised. The meeting further hopes that no more names will be given by ar-y of the workmen to the employers as promoters of the fund that there will be unanimous action in conformity with the resolution now passed." The following resolution also was passed :— "That this meeting wishes to express its deepest gratitude to the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Sir W. Harcourt, for appointing Mr Wright, barrister, to attend at the Penygraig in- quiry on his behalf, and also wishes to evince equal gratitude to Mr Wright for his able services whilst present at the inquiry—the skill with which he con- ducted the case in seeking for the true cause of the explosion. The meeting legretted that Mr Wright failed to attend on the last days of the inquiry and also feelilits obligation towards the Coroners and the jury for allowing every facility for ascertaining the circumstances of the explosion."

THE WAR IN THE TRANSVAAL.' THURSDAY, JAKUABT 20TH. The Cape Town correspondent of the cl telegraphs The account d the unprovoked murder of Captain Elliott by his escort has created great and gei.eral indignation in the colony, and hn.s great alienated the sympathy which was felt in many quarteis for the B..ers. No tidings whatever have reached Kituberley of the stste of things prevailing at Potchefstroom. This is a certain indication that no success has, so far, attended the efforts of the Boers, as every fact of an encouraging nature to their cause would have been speedily circu- lated in tlj e Fiee State. From its representative at the Ha;J.e ti e paper learns that the address proposed by Profe-sor Halting on the affairs of the Transvaal ha- now received its full complement of signature-so total number is 0.082, and they incude 81 univer- sity pLofesj-ors, 327 State officials, 144 local offi- cials, 12 men.bers of the Netherlands Parliament, 228 lawyers, bG5 doctors of law, medicine, or divinity, 570 teachers, S'.S students, 374 clergymen of the Evangelical Church, and 335 lieatenai ts of the Dutch army or navy. A BcrUn telegram states that some D itch gentle- men fr, in South Africa have arrived at AmsU-rdstm to claim the protection of the Netherlands for the Transvaal and the Orange Free State. The Dutch Government, it is believed, are suie to refrain from all action in the matter, but private and pecuniary assistance is likely to be rendered. The Cape mail steamer Warwick Castle, which left Cape Town on December :?UI. has arrived at Plymouth, bringing the first despatches subsequent to the ciiti r' ak of hostilities in the Transvaal. From these it eems that the Boers had assembled in two camps, one at 1'ardekraal, where there were 2,000 men, ai d another at Pretoria, where the.e v. eie about 2.500 men. Their hospital was at Grun- beeks, where Dr. Poortman was ik com pu: -ory alt-.nd- anc-e. The Boers gained possession of the town of Pretoria, but failed to take the fort. Paul Kruger then left Pretoria and came on to Potchefstrootn. A party of Boers went to the Court House of Pot- chefstroom to haul down the British flag end substitute the Republican. Commandant Raaf aud others were on the step of the Court Honse and expostulated without avail. Captain Lambert, in charge, had no alternative but to protect the flag, and wounded the Boer who was proceeding to haul it down in the arm, where- unon a vdley was fired on Raat and others, re-sult. ing in the death of one. The others were shot, l.ut whether mortally or not was not known. The tuili- tary encampment is outside the town, and the Boers kept up a continued firing on the fort, garrisoned by about 300 soldiers,under command of Colonel Bel airs, and well fortifh d. On Tuesday, the 21st December, they attacked the fort 1,000 strong-200 mounted. The troops on footcame up within 200 yards, lmt were re- pu'st<d, first by a volley from the soldiers, then by two shellr. and two cannon balls, leaving seven d»ad, five badly wounded, and many more slightly wou.;dod. How many dead they managed to carry away is not known, for they bury their dead with all despa'cb, conveying them in covered waggons to their caiiir,, out of town, and intering them there. In this a belt on the fort the Boers managed to secure 45 h-Tses and three span of mules, which the Co' nel had diiven out of the fort in order to save provisions. On the 18th the besieged in the Court-house resolv- d to surrender, finding all hope off escape cut off, and being without food or \va:er. Three of their number, viz., Captain Falls, Mr. Woods, a civilian, ana one soldier had been kiile!, and one native wounded. Mr. Hale was wounded in the thigh. An attempt, which almost succeeded, was made to set fire to the thatched roof of the Court-house by a young man, who was killed. So Major Clarke and Commandant Raaf, with 30 others, gave themselves up, and were marched down to camp. The Boers then tent a message to the fort, giving the Colonel time up to 4 p.m. to surrender. At 4 p.m. the answer csme in the shape of two well-aini-d can- non balls right on the market square. On the 22nd the Boers held a meeting, and determined to starve the garrison out. They also threatened to shcot Com- mandant Raaf and Inspector Collins. The latest news when the Warwick Castle left was that the 94th Regiment had been waylaid ami 150 men killed. Intense excitement prevailed at CapeTown. On the 24th Decem- bertwodeputations,onerepresentiog more especially the Dutch Africanders, and the second composed of mem- bers of Parliament, Cape merchants, &c., waited ou the Administrator of Cape Colony to urge a reeoaciiia- tory policy, and his Excellency promised to forward their suggestions by telegraph to the Secretary of State. FRIDAY, JANUARY 21ST. CHARGES AGAINST SIR W. O. LANYON. The Durban correspondent of the Times tele- graphs The Bloemfdntein Express publishes a second long proclamation from the Triumvirate. It is a bitter document, abusing Sir W. O. Lanyon and charging him with the sole responsibility for all that has occurred. It says that his proclamations forced the troops to fire the first shot at Potchefstroom and Pretoria declares that 18 soldiers at Pot- chefstroom fired on ei^ht Boers without provo- cation or warning; asserts that the Bronker's Sin nit affair was a fair fight, and says that Colonel An- struther shook hands with Joulert, presented him with his arms, and describe:! the war as unjust. This, however, is not be'iev.-d. The Triumvirate finally charge Sir W. O. Lanyon before the whole world with commencing the war without notice. with carrying it on in an uncivilised manner, and with shelling Potchefstroom without warning. It is believed that all their charges can be confuted. Pretoriushas visited President Bra.id at Bloemfont.e5n to solicit mediation and to get permission for am- munition to leave Winburg for the Transvaal. It is understood that Mr. Brand said that the first request should have come earlier, and the last he refused. Pretorius has returned. Five hundred of the Free State Boers are said to have gone to the Transvaal. The Potchefstroom, Pretoria, Standcrt n, and Rustenburg garrisons all hold out. There are hundreds of loyal Boers in Pretoria. It is said they can muster there 2,000 ail told. Hundreds of Boers may desert to us when the Governor approaches the Boer commando. The Queen's speech, with its fi; 111 declaration, has altered the tone of the Boers around Pretoria. News comes from Delagoa Bay that the Boers have endeavoured to induce the Swazi king to join them. He positively refused to desert the English, and has prepared to attack the Boers if ihey enter his country. The naval brigade has reached Newcastle. Screams have been heard near the Buffalo river. They are supposed to have proceeded from fugitives who were being shot. According to the Pietermaritzburg representative of the Daily Telegraph, Sir George Pomeroy Co! ley announces his intention to use the Natal forces in the war against the Boers. The Union Steamship Company's Royal Mail Iteamer, which sails onthe26th, will take out totheCape of Good Hope 11 officers, five staff sergeants, 155 men of the Army Service and Hospital Corps, 50 seamen, and one naval officer. SATURDAY, JANUARY 224D. SURRENDER OF THE GARRISON OF LYDENBERG. The following telegram has been received at the War Office from the General Officer Commanding, Natal and Transvaal, and is dated Ntwcastle, 21st January, 1881: Report from Delagoa Bay Garrison Lydenberg surrendered 7th instant. Weather here unfavourable. The garrison of Lydenberg is supposed to consist of one company 91th Regiment. MONDAY, JANUARY 24. Telegraphing under date of the 22nd inst., the Dur- bau correspondent of the Times says Sir H. Robin- sou has arrived at Cape Town and assumed office. Sir G. C. Strahan leaves in the Grantully Castle, Horses and mules are being purchased for the Transvaal. President Brand has issued a pro- clamation requiring the Free State burghers to strictly abstain from interfering in Transvaal affairs. The troops and the Nc aval Brigade are at Newcastle. The editor of the Volks,tnn, of Pretoria, has been sentenced to a mortb's imprisonment and fined E25. He has appealed, and was allowed bail in 24,000. It i reported that Major Raaf and Commandant Collins were to b6 shot on the 20th inst. The Daily Chronicle's correspondent in the same town states that the Lydenberg garrison consisted of 50 men of the 94th, under command of Lienteuant Long. He adds that the British troops are expected to advance into the Transvaal in a fortnight's tune, and that the Government are declining offers of assistance from native chiefs and tribes. A telegram has been received at the War Office from the Cape announcing the arrival at Cape Town of her Majesty ship Dido with reinforcements, her captain having embarked at St. Helena a detachment of Royal Artillery stationed at the island. The Dido will probably go to Port Durban to land the troops, and also to send some of her men to join the naval brigade landed by the Boadicea. =====

The fishing smack, Star of Peace, of Brixhatu, has foundered with all hands off Lowestoft. She was seen to be driving towards the sands, and then suddenly disappeared. Several pieces of wreckage marked S.P." have already been picked up, and the owner has identified a pump and binnacle-box as belonging to the vessel named. A reward of J2500 is offered by the Government to any person giving information which shall lead to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator or perpe- trators of the outrage at the Salford barracks on the night of the 14th inst., and a reward of £100 and a free pardon to any accomplice not being the actual perpetrator of the outrage who shall give sucr information.