The Pontypridd Chronicle and Workman's News

LLANWONNO SCHOOL BOARD. i The monthly meeting of the above board was held on Wednesday, at the Llanwonno Vestry Hall. Pontvpridd, when there were present I Mr J. W. Jones (chairman), Mr Idris Williams J (vice-chairman), Revs. J. Howell, B. Lloyd, E. J Jones, and M. Lewis, Messrs H. Abraham, E. Jones (Ynysybwl), M. H. Thomas, T. H. Dowdes- I well, and H. Thomas; with Mr S. Shipton, clerk. I THE ELECTION EXPENSES. The Clerk reported that the public auditor had been unable to find time to look through the returning officers' bills for conducting the recent election of the board, and said that he would go through them in the course of the audit. The total amount continued the clerk, was JE235 1/10 for Llanwonno; and £ 29 13/- for Llanfabon.—In reply to Mr H. Abraham, the Clerk said that the returning officer's own fee for the day was £ 84 for Llanwonno, and £10 10/- for Llanfabon.—Mr Abraham—He has nothing to pay out of that?- The Clerk-NLo, nothing at all.—In the course of a lengthy discussion which followed, the various items were criticised, Mr Abraham remarking that the amounts paid to clerks and others were heavv,and he would like to know what the return- ing officer paid his men daily. (Laughter).—The Clerk—He would not take that view of it. He would not take that view of it. He would say he is only charging what the law allows him.—Mr Abraham What if we in the collieries carried on like this? (Laughter).—Various items were struck off on the suggestion of different members, and when the amount of t2 for booths was mentioned, the Rev. E. Jones asked if it was necessary that timber should have to be brought from Ponty- pridd to Llanfabon to erect the booths.—The p r," Clerk said it was entirely in Mr Spickett's hands. -The Rev. E. Jones But is it necessary ?—Mr. Abraham: I don't think so.—Mr 1. Williams Who have you gotthere?-Rev. E. Jones: Plenty in the neighbourhood, and if there were any objections to the persons in the neighbourhood, there are others in Treharris.—Mr Dowdeswell: The same booths were used for the county council election.—Ultimately it was decided to reduce the items of the bill" to £257 12s for the two arishes. FINANCE. The finance committee's report was read, and on the motion of the Rev. J. Howell, seconded by the Rev E. Jones the same was adopted. H0PKINST0WN SCHOOL QUESTION. The Clerk reported that Mr J. Towy Thomas, school attendance officer, had made a census of Hopkinstown district, and it had been said at a previous board that school accommodation was provided at Hopkinstown for 150, while the average attendance was 80. The census taken showed that there were 321 houses in the district, 11 of which were unoccupied, the latter being described as old houses giving way owing to minerals being worked under them. There were of children between 3 and 13 years of age 390, of whom 330 were attending elementary schools, and 7 attending private schools. Children not attend- ing any school, 53.—In reply to a question, the Clerk said that these were of school age, but not compulsory school age.—Entering into details, it was shown that from Hopkinstown road 121 children attended Mill Street School 31 the National School and 5 Hafod School. From Gyfeillon Road, 9 attended Mill street, 5 the National School, and 6 Hafod, with 4 at Tre- forest Roman Catholic School total 24. Ty- mawr Road, 6 at Mill Street 9 the National none at Hafod nor Treforest Schools total 15. Pantygraigwen, seventeen Mill Street and 12 the National. Hopkinstown Field, 30 at Mill Street. Foundry Road and Distillery Road, 31 Mill Street 8 the National. So that out of a in total of 397 children,214 were going to Mill Street, 87 to the National; 19 to Hafod and 0 to the Roman Catholic Schools. The remainder were not of school age.-Hev J. Howell What is the distance that they travel ?-The Clerk The best part of a mile from where it is proposed to build a school.—Rev M. Lewis To Mill Street it is not more than half a mile from the centre of Hopkins- town.—The Clerk Where is that ?—Rev M. Lewis: The post office.—Mr I. Williams: The distance from the Great Western Colliery to Pontypridd is about a mile, is it not ?—Rev M. Lewis Yes, nearly a mile. What; would you consider the between the two schools, Kaiod and Mill Street ?—The Cleik About three miles.— Rev M. Lewis It is not two miles, I understand. —The Clerk What is the distance between Pontypridd and Porth?—Mr H. Abraham About four "miles.— Mr H Thomas From Britannia Bridge to the Butchers' Arms, Pontypridd, is three miles that is what it is reckoned to be.—Mr 1. Williams said tho distance by rail to Perth was about four miles, n; d the parish read was, if anything, longer.— The Chairman said a number of the members of the board as a committee happened to visit the locality in a brake one day, and they thought thsre was a good distance between Mill Street school and where they proposed to erect the new school, and certainly the impression felt was that the accommodation there was insufficient, and he could speak for the majority of them that they were of opinion that they ought to erect an in- fants' school at Hopkinstown, although they passed no formal resolution to that etfect.-Rev B. Lloyd asked if it had been decided whether they could bnild a school on that site.—The Clerk said that rliad not written to him on tho subject.—j'HV B. Lloyd Would it not be better to ii that fact first ?—The Chair- man said it they decided upon building they c-oi:ld fix upon another site if they wished.—How- ever, 51 r Abraham proposed that they defer the ] question until they a: certained as to the site.— l ev Ih Llovci Recoi.ded. and it was agreed to. SCHOOL ATTENDANCE COHMITTI'I' Morsvs Junes ana tau.u.l waited upon the lo-.rd as a deputation ire in the head teachers w.th I'ei'cicr.ce .-0 the order which had beer, given jor the payment by the teachers of arrears of c jcoi fees which the beard had not allowed to be FLeck off. In the course of explanation it was -id that the late Mr Chimp?, relieving officer for Lianv. (r.no, 3:ad j.dven verbal insLiU'Ctior.s that par per children he admitted, sr:d been admitted for along time on such instructions, no objection being raif.ed until alter 15r Phillips' i death. Then the beard of guardians declined to sa: cfion the payment of fees. Ihere w. r four applications for the two- vacant posts of ass t ,lJt m ktress at Trollerbsrt A Mill .tieec Schools.— On the motion of Mr Abra- Lam, seconded by the Rev B. Lloyd, E. L. Thomas was appointed tor the one school, mid on the motion of Mr E. Jones, seconded by Mr Dowdtsweil, Mit s Morgan was appointed to the olhur. Both were teachers employe. 1 by the Lcm d. NOT CE:, 0<' I'. OTION. Tdr II. Ab: ahaoi gave notice of motion to con- s:d<v '.he ixuViS-ablky of establishing a higher gia.ie In tho Lhondda. i ke Charm.aji gave not ce of a motion to the same :YL'ct ..L. ve. ai'».s lno 01 the i-clioo.s u.u Moun- Jam A-ih. I'Oi.TH .Tl'Tl0" The Cleik, in accordance with instructions /• wn at the previous meeting, presented a report :inoil the cost of the rccent alteration of Portl: S-. hv which had boon carried oao utnUr the oiipcrv ?ion ot Mr Idris Williams an t Mr ±1. A bruin m. It appeared that Mr W. W. Phillips nad, in conuett Ull Lhe recent c,i.t:un;issueci a cheuiar stating that the alterations had cost more than if they luvl been carried out by con- hart, and that, therefore, there had been a waste sf money. Mr Williams, consequently, brought forward the matter with the view of getting in- formation on the subject. The cleik's report ,vi.ii- to show that j! April, 1888, Messrs Wiihains and Abraham were empowered to take down and ro-erect P01 th Boys' School, and in September I tlio whole Board inspected the works, and ex- pressed there-elves highly sa tisfied with the work, and specially thanked the gentlemen named "(,r the time and care they had taken to carry out si;oh excellent alterations. The amour.c paid for wo: k done was £ 789 03 lid wh.le £ (32 10s worth f p-'joined wo k was estimated to remain uncom- .etx!,making a total only of £ 851 10s Gt]. Anum- r f extras not mentioned in the specifications /.»• 1 -i ■! j-vn at, £ 233 15s. Mr Siiipton pro- cced'ng said From the total expended, -45189 < v, t, duct extras, £ '33 l.is that leaves a;i expenditure of JE545 5s 6d to this, add £40 for I cementing not yet done, that brings up the cost to £595 5s 6d, or 9204 13s 6d less than the original estimate of architect. In the opinion of practical gentlemen, £ 233 15s might seem a large sum for extras upon one school. To meet that case, I beg to quote extras upon the two last new schools erected. Trerobart, tender of Messrs Jenkins and Son, j:2300 total cost, £ 2700. Aberllechau, tender of Messrs Davies and Mathias, JE1364 total cost, £ 1598. If,upon two new schools, about £ (>50 is paid in extras, who really can guess the extras to take down and re-erect an old building, and to extend the same for 130 more children ? I really believe that if the Vice-chairman and Mr Abraham bad referred the matter to an expert, they would have come to the conclusion that such an excellent extention could not be carried out at a less cost than from £ 1100 to £ 1200,whereas up to the present barely ESOO has been expended. As you £ make your clerk attempt everything, I must ask you to accept this report in that light, and if you compare the old and new schools, you will all come to the conclusion that those gentlemen have devoted a great deal of their valuable time to the special interests of the ratepayers, and an excell- ent and commodious school is the result of their labotirs. Yours obediently, S. SHIPTON, Clerk." The Chairman said that Mr Williams and Mr Abraham had devoted a great deal of time and attention to the carrying out of the work at that school, and there was no doubt they had been exceedingly successful. He suggested that a vote of thanks be given to them for what they had done.—This was agreed to.-Rev M. Lewis moved, and Mr H. Thomas seconded, that the report be adopted.—Mr H. Thomas said that if Mr Phillips was present he (the speaker) was going to move a vote of censure on him for taking such a course, for some people would believe anything, and he thought it was very wrong of Mr Phillips to do as he had done. THE NEW EDUCATION CODE. It was decided to hold a special meeting to con- sider the new education code, and that the teachers he asked to attend the same with a view of con- ferring with the board on the subject.

MINERS DELEGATE MEETING AT ABERDABE. THE SLIDING SCALE TO BE REVISED. A delegate meeting, at which 160 delegates attend- ed, representing npwards of 60,000 of the steam, house, and Anthracite miners of South Wales and Moniiior.tlisbite was held on Monday, at the Bute Aims, Aburdart. wbeo a resolution was passed to consider the desirability of having only one sliding scale for the whole of the wcikmen rmbraeerl with- in that area. After a lengthy discussion it was agreed to appoint a comniittje of twelve 10 co opt r- ate with the members of the sliding scale committee (woikrrtn's section) in adjusting and considering the .intendments upon the 2cllle with a view to its thorough revision. The house coal section, led by Mr Isaac Evans, stronply appealed for separate basis tor the v p»es of the bonsy coal men, contending that (but would mean one sClIle with two basis or stani- i r is. It was. however, agreed that the whole matter Lhonld be reUor. d to the revision committee already mentioned. Tho present members of the sliding scale committee were re-elected.

A DISilONLST YOUNG WOMAN AT MARDY. STEALING ARTICLES OF CLOTHING FROM NEIGHBOURS' HOUSES. PRISONER COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. At the Rhondda Police Court, on Monday, (before the Stipendiary and Mr T. P. Jenkins), Mary Ann Rcbern was charged with stealing a handkerchief from James Fr»nui^. Prosecutor, a dipper, said on the 16th of March he lost a kerchief, and missed it next day from his cut poi ket. His sister tcld him only defendant had hp. n in theroiMn. The ccat was hanging on the fo., t uf hid o-cl. The handkerchief prcdueed by P.S. ]J. -llyu WMS the one he lost. Defendant went bckwardaud farward to hissi tel'a house. Last -v i)i;i,t wet it he met defendant, and said to hvr \1!, 11*ry Ann, do you think to give the liai.dkei cuief hio n." She said she had Hctgotit. Ho ti.'id her siie hud. She said she would buy him am th. r. Tie ti 11 her it jt would not be returned ^••moiK-dy wou d be utter L-. r. On the following Thursday be e< nu--m.icaud with the police. Mr Phillip*' (AlnHaiv) tor ihe defence. Cross « xmnii.T D It is a HM nth since it was lost. Ilevas uot courting with deiendai.t tho previous evening. She sva.s in thtir house on the Sunday evening. She did not then s-ay "I have it, and tman so ketp ir." S-imii Ann Main, s'ster of the prosecutor, said de- fendant cunie to tln-ir 1 onse on Satuidriy, the 16th uf Mulch, a>.d to.d h.rto <<o ioto the bedroom to see th baty's iitw bonnet. She (bought &be was a l'.i.y time. Hnd M-ked iinr whot -e was doing. She ,i,,i J .an orry opening the paper to see the little bonnet." p.8. 1- cw< byn said Le i-rrested the prisoner on Friday nn.rnin^ >a8t ut Ltr lather's hou^e, 84. M.irdy Kuad, .MHMIV, AND charged her v ith the thi it. She s.iid "No, I di"l not steal m;y hmulkercbie", and don't know unythinn xhoi.t one. ile tuld her he should -hnrch the hoiibC. Sbo the in said "Do you mean I've not it." SI1" went to a drawer, and took it out. Sbo tttu f ade 1 out. 1J. !t-nihnit ckctcd to ><o lor trial t3 the quarter sessions. ANOTHER CHARGE. Dafeudant was farther churned with stealing a Pl. t,1 ..r:kiu_ Jane Willi-in-. Mardy Road, Mardy, said on Friday, tlJ" :1tÍi of M-irch, she saw a pair of stock- ings ,fe. On tho fuilowing Thursday she missed them ft m a bundle with a belt round. They were her husband's stui kings. The bnndle was in a cup- boaid in tho kitelieii. Defe:-id«int vvaa coming to her house to see Mis %Yli.) live(i in the same home as witnes?. The atocklugs produced were the ones she ml"st:'d. P,S, LlcwePyu ¡¡",i.] when bo arrested prisoner on the previous cnar«c he Cold her .-be was suspected of nt* tiling a p«ir of ^t "ikings troni next doer. She denied it. tie noticed sh« bad no shoes on, and noticed a pair of steckinga >>n her feet like the pair ioft. A>ked her about them. Shesa)d"Theyaro oiyown." At his request siie took them off. Blie said "I did't sit nl them. I found tbem on the rail- ings of tho garden." Commiit d on this charge also. Admitted to bail, herself in £ 10 and two in B-20 oach.

/^lONSUll PTlOX CLTUSD.V Person Cnred of' VJ CiiP8Uu.pt.ioii. >?r- noi itia. C-.tairb.and Nervriua j De1 ility, by a aimple liemedy, will setd a deecrip- ti .n f it. Fim. t' a y p< r-« >n w>o applies to JrP. L 5I<>rvrAmf GI Ch nfCi-ry i.a .0, London. AV.O. •

Rhondda Police Court. MONDAY.—Before Mr J. Ignatius Williams (Stipen- diary Magistrate), and Mr T. P. Jenkins. STEALING MONEY AT TREALAW.—Charles Clives. of Trealaw, was charged with stealing 4s 6d.—Idris Thomas, landlord of the Trealaw Inn, said on the 28th 1 of March the defendant, a boiler maker, was at the inn having some beer in the bar. While there he re: ceived a note which caused him to examine his till. He missed 4s 6d from the till. He then said to defen- dant "Give me my money." He said he had no money belonging to him. He sent for the police, and saw defendant's hand fall of coppers which he took from his pocket. Coppers and small silver were missed from the till. Just before he saw the coppers prisoner was short of money, as he asked to have the beer on trust. He sold his knife to a man for Is.—P.O. Mar- combe proved arresting prisoner on the charge. He said, in answer to the charge, "I'd no money this morning to spend." On searching him he foana3s4d. -Fined 20s. SUNDA Y CLOSING ACT AT DINAs.-Thomas Jones and Morgan Rosser were charged with pretending to be travellers.—P.O. Weeks said on Sunday afternoon he visited the Uolliers Arms, Dinas, and saw defendants, who said they lived at Ynysybwl. He took them to Porth. At the police station Jones said ho lived at Hafod, and was released. The other defendant still persisted in his firet statement. He also lived at Hafod. He was fined two months ago for a similar offence,-Rosser was fined 15s, and Jones 10s. SURETIES OF THE PEACE AT TREOKKY.—Rees Edmunds was charged with using threats to Mary Ann Morgan, wife of Rice Morgan.—Complainant said last Satur- day week she went to defendant's honse to ask for the settlement ef an old account. Defendant same from a public-house, and meeting her on the road said he would murder her. Her husband kept a butcher's sbop.-Selina Jane Jonn said she heard defendant ask where the woman was. Complainant was in her house, and went out through the back way. She did not hear defendant say anything else, because she went into the back kitchen.—Dismissed for want of corroborative evidence. ALLEGED ASSAULT AT FERNDALE.—John Williams, innkeeper, was charged with assaulting Robert Thomas. Mr Rhys for the complainant, and Mr Phillips (Aberdare) for defendant.—Mr Phillips said the summons was not served until Friday evening, at 10 o'clock. He telegraphed to Mr Rhys on Saturday to ask for a remand till Wednesday. He applied for a remand now, as one witness could not attend.—Mr Rliys oppoeed.—Adjourned for a week en defendant paying 15s for complainant's witnesses attending that d iy.—A cross-summons was granted at the request of Mr Phillips. "BONA FIDES" AT PENYGRAIG.—Thomas Morris, landlord of the Swan Inn, Owen Morris, William Evans .and David Powell were charged with a breach of the Sunday Closing Act.-P,O. White said be visited the Swan Inn, Penygraig, kept bp defendant Thomas Mcrris, on Sunday. On entering at tha front door he saw the landlord beckoning someone to leave by the back door. He went up to the landlord, and saw two of the defendants go out at the ba<;k door. On looking out he saw Powell and Evans in the yard drinking. The other defendant waa in the kitchen with a blue in his hand. He asked defendant why he supplied them with beer. He replied ¡'I am wrong." Evans lived 20 yards, Morris 100 yards, and the other half a mile from the house.—The landlord was fined 203; Powell and Evans 10s each; Owen Morris, who was carter at the inn, was discharged. THE DRUNKARDS' LIST.-Evan Hughes, Clydach Vale, was fined 10s, and Morris Lewis 103 for being drunk on the 31st of March.—John Williams,Trealaw, was fined 15s for being druak on the 30th March.— Robert Parry, Blaenclydach, was fined 5s for being drunk on #tbe 30th March.—John Jones, Richard Pritcbard, and John Lewis, Heolfach, were fined 10s each, the two former for being drunk on the 1st inst., and the latter for being drank on the 30th March. WOMEN "AT IT AGAIN" AT LLWYNPIA.—Caroline Morgan and Elizabeth Gilson were charged with assaulting Augusta Jones."Mr J. Phillips prose uled. -Auguata Jones said Gilson formerly lodged with her. On the 26th of March she was at her door. Morgan said come on, and I'll do for you." Gilson then came out, and said Send your husband out, and we will do for him too." That same afternoon she went out, and just after passing defendant's house they came out. Gilson caught her by the hair of her head, and Morgan struck her on the chest with a stone, which she held in her band. Her husband came to her help.-Sarah Ann Turner said she saw the assault.—Charles Harries, haulier, said he saw Mrs Jones going down the road, and the two do- fendants rushed out at her. Gilson seized her by the hair, and Morgan struck her with a stone.—For Morgan, Elizabeth Ann Howells was called, and said she saw Mrs Gilson and Mrs Jones scratching one another. Morgan did not touch complainant.- Bound over in f 5 each to keep the peace for six months, aud t3 pay costs.

THE OUTBREAK OF TYPHOID FEVER AT MCUHTAIN ASH. REPORT OF THE LOCAL GOVERN- MENT BOARD. A supplement containing the report of the medical officer, Dr George Buchanan, to the seventeenth annual report of the Local Government Board for 1887-8, has just been issued. Among other matters with which it deals considerable reference is made to the outbreak of enteric fever at Mountain Ash in 1887. Mr John Spear yrefixes bis special report with a des- cription of the locality, and an acknowledgment of the assistance given him by the medical officer of health, the inspector of nuisances, and Dr Jones. The total number of persons attacked were 518,these cases all occurring within four monthf. A postmortem examination made in one case by Dra Jones and Bates disclosed the characteristic lesions of euteric fever. There was a marked preponderance of the disease in the mate sex, the proportion being 315 male sufferers to 203 female. The localisation of the di- sease, which was very marked, deserves the greatest attention. Of the 91 cases iu the Mountain Ash division, 57 occurred in houses situated just at the bottom of the village going towards Miskin, and of the 41 cares in Peorhiwceiber, 30occurred on that part of the Penrhiwceiber road leading from Miskin to the village of Penrhiwceiber. There was thus, on the right bank of the ri^er, a well-defined area extending sor about a mile and a quarter in which the disease i raged as an epidemic. The sewers had, in local esti- mation, been regarded as the source of mischief. Especially, there was a defect in the Miskin main district sewer, resulting in the diversion of the sewage from its proper outfall channel), and ith discharge, near the entrance of the village, into the river Cynon, which was thonght to have had some causative rela- tion to the outbreak. Concerning this it is to be re- marked that the whole ot the infected district is well elevated above the river, a, lino of railway separating the two throughout. The commissioner inclines to the belief that the water supply was the cause of the disease. After stating that the provision of new water service was undoubtedly coincident with the commencement of she epidemic prevalence of the fever, he goes on to say :The facts now recorded show that the water, in its passage through the Oxford-street main, has,for some time pabt, on variou3 occasions, been contamin- ated with the specific poison of enteric fever. I pass now to the evidence that can be found as to the mau- ner in which this recurring infection of the water was brought about. Cousideiing, first, the entrauce of the infective material into the water pipes, it is more reasonable to regard this entrance as taking place on various occasions at various places, or as naviug been effected at some one definable place, from one and the most external source, the oppor- tunity for water contamination remaining constant, but the quality of the contaminating material varying so as at one time to produce fever, and at another time I to be harmless. The question is of importance in the detection of the physical circumstances competent to explain the observed listribution of fever, and the answtr would II ppear to be this: -that. while mufttpte admissions of infective matter (each infecting the water ior awhile and then ceasing to effect it) are not I to W* altogether set aside, such conditions are in nowise necessary for the production of the observed reauit These could quite as well have b«en brought I about uy a single external focas of infection,and tbt-ra do indeed appear soma weighty reason, for preferring the latter view."

WOUNDING AT GELLT. HE STOOD OVER HIS WIFE WITH A POKER AND FENDER. At the Rhondda Police Court,on Monday. William I Lloyd was charged with wounding William Evans. Complainant said on the 30th of March he came down titairs upon beating screams. Defendant lodged in thostme boase. Found him standing over his wiie with a poker in one hand and with a fender in the other, lie received a blow from defendant giving him a black eye, and cutting him under the eyf. Ttie blov> Tiuocked Kim "down. P.O. Richards said hn was called in, and found tho complainant bleeding very freely, and took him to' the doctor, who stitched the woand. Fi cd 408 ir a mouth.

FOUND NEAR THE ROCKING (STONE. TALES TOLD BY MY GRANDFATHER. [BY LLEWELLYN LLOYD.] Everyone of my readers, I dare wager, have seen the wonderful Rocking-Stone within the Druid's Temple on Pontypridd Common. One day last summer, during an occasional visit to the dear old town, grandfather and I walked together to the Common for a breath of clear mountain air. The old man was rather tired, of course, but found breath to speak of the many beauties that spread out to the view below. Grandfather pointed to a very pretty house almost hidden by the trees, just belcw the bridge over the canal on the Ynysang- harad road. This house has long been occupied by the popular Lenox family. "A terrible murder was committed on the lawn in front of that house, and an innocent man was nearly hanged for it," said my Grandad, "And, strangely enough, a dog of mine found a clue to the real murderer, and where do 3 ou think he I found it. There, just under that Rocking-stone." Of course, he had roused my curiosity, and I I asked him to tell me the story. "Gently, gently," said the old man "Wait till we get home. I I am an old man and must not expose myself too much to these mountain breezes. Come along, my boy." I stopped a few minutes trying to decipher the letters on the memorial stone, but my Grand- father was impatient. "Come, come, Llew Bach, I'll tell you all about the stcne some day," said he, and I liked my dear old grandad too well not to obey him. Well, when the old man was comfort- ably seated in his chair, smoking his long church- warden, I asked him to tell me the story of the murder on the Ynysangharad road. The old man cleared his throat, took a sip of his favourite liquor, and then told me the storyA great many years ago, I cannot tell you the exact date, but I was only a youngster at the time, Squire Evans, who once lived in YNYSANGHARAD HOUSE, which I pointed out to you this afternoon, brought home a wife, a handsome woman, tall and stately in carriage, evidently of foreign extraction. The gossiping old women of the place shook their heads knowingly, and said to each other that Squire Evans would soon repent this marriage, for if the bride did not belie her looks she had a temper of her own, and if she would not have everything her own way, she would soon astonish Squire Evans. But these generous-minded old women were dis- appointed, for the squire idolised his wife, and she, to all appearances, worshipped her quiet grey- haired husband. Did I mention the squire's sister? No, I thought not. Miss Myfanwy was a slight slip of a girl, with long golden hair, a very pale face, and large dark eyes, but there was no light in those beautiful looking eyes. Miss Myfanwy was blind! It was a pretty sight to see these two women driving through the village of Pontypridd, Mrs Evans looking as handsome, as full of life and fire,and poorM'ss Myfanwy rohelpless and beauti- ful, leaning her head in loving trustfulness on the shoulder of her brother's wife. The Squire and his family were happy, and they I deserved their happiness, for they made poor people in the village little presents of wine, cake, and jellies, and won blessings from the hearts of all. About twelve months after the marriage, a stranger, but an old friend of the squire's, visited Pontypridd, and was, of course, the guest of the squire. There were grand balls and parties every night, and everything went as "merry as a mar- riage bell," until one night, about a fortnight after the arrival of Mr Mostyn (that was the stranger's name), a thrill of horror convulsed Pontypridd, for Mrs Evans, the squire's handsome wife, was FOUND MURDERED ON THE LAWN, not twenty paces from the ball room, where the young gentry of the district were dancing. Miss Myfanwy discovered the body the poor blind girl was distracted with fear, and gave a wild incoher- ent account of the discovery. She came out on the lawn to get a breath of fresh air, when a man brushed past her. Something, she could not ex- plain what, unless an instinct cf coming evil, made her clutch this man's coat, and demand who he was, and why was he there at that hour. The man wrenched his coat from her grasp, and in doing so left a button in her hand. This button was a peculiar one, a kind of a gilt one. We wore swallow-tailed coats, with brass buttons, in those days, and the dandies of that time took great pains in their choice of buttons. This button had a rose stamped on it. Everyone was horrified. *WHO COULD HAVE DONE IT ? The body was carried into the house,and laid genlly on a bed. Mr Mostyn, who had gone to Merthyr early that morning in the dog cart, on business, returned about an hour after the discovery of the crime. The poor fellow was almost speechless with horror. He was told of the slight clue left in Miss Myfanwy's hand. 11 "We must find this coward murderer," said he, "Mr Evans, of couise, is prostrated with grief,aud cannot help us. But it is our duty to unravel this mystery." Of course all the gentlemen volun- teered to assist him. The servants were all called and questioned, and from them these facts were gathered. Early that morning a disreputable-looking fel- low called at the servants' door and begged for something to eat. The girl who answered his knock was so frightened by the man's wild appear- ance that she called the groom and gardener, who told the fellow to go about his business, or the constable would be called, and he would be sent to the Round House—threats the servants believed— but they heard him distinctly say that if he could not get what he wanted at the back door he would ask for it at the front. He was seen going down the road, but another servant saw him lurking about the house, and later re-enter the grounds. "Ah, that reminds me," said Mr Mostyn; "before leaving for Merthyr this morning, such a man spoke to me on the lawn, and was so importunate that I had to threaten the fellow with the police before I could get rid of him." "That's very true, sir," said the groom, "I heard you threaten him with the constable, and after you drove away in the dog cart, the fellow turned to me; and said "I'll have something to eat to-night, if I am hanged for it. It is better to be hanged than die of starva- tion. He then walked out of the grounds." Of course there was no doubt in anyone's mind now that they were ON THE TRACK OF THE JIURDE'.IK' Being on the track and hunting do vn the man, were two very different things, but in this case it was not so very difficult. I have already told you that Pontypridd was only a village at that time, and the inhabitants would be regarded nowadays as painfully respectable, so the task of tracing a stranger, especially such a ruffianly-looking fellow, would be comparatively easy, with the help of dogs, for even the dogs of the place were respectable, and were all ready to hunt down this disreputable- looking man. They at last FOUND HIM ON CILFYNYDD MOUNTAIN. The fellow made a. desperate resistance, but he was overpowered by Lumbers. The button left in j Miss Myfanwy's hand was compared with the but- tons on this fellow's ragged coat, and found to be precisely alike. One gentleman remarked that several buttons were missing from his coat. Of course the constable took possession of that article of wearing apparel at once. In his pocket they found half-a-crown, and this was stained with blood. In trying to take this from the man, his struggles were terrible. He was taken to the Round 11 House at Pontypridd. When brought before the magistrates, the only account he could give of the money being in his possession was that a lady of the big house had given it to him. Asked how the blood stains came on it, he said that a dog bit him on the hand after he came through the gates. The prisoner was committed for trial on a charge of lvilful murder." There seen ei to be no doubt in anyone's mind that the murderer of MrsEvanswasnow in prison and lie would, in all probability, suffer the ut- most penalty of the law. There lived in Ponty- pridd at that time a. very eccentric old gentleman, a lawyer Jjy profession, named William Rhys, and this old gentleman took up the cudgel in defence of the prisoner. Everyone said he took up a los- ing case, but the old gentleman rubbed his hands aud laugUed his short dry laugh, and said "While (' there is life there is hope," and his client should not hang if he could help it. The day of the trial was approaching fast, and nothing new hadtrans- pired. The day dawned, and nothing fresh in the shape of evidence turned up. The excitement in the neighbourhood of Ynysangharad, Pentrebach. I and the Trallwn was particulary intense. I shall never forget the picture in the court at Cardiff on the day of the trial. There was the judge looking solemn and white, in his robe and wig; the coun- sellors in their gowns and wigs; the prosecutor for the crown looking solemn, but seeming confident about the verdict; eccentric William Rhys, white with nervous excitement, but determined to fight., the battle inch by inch. THE PRISONER HOW CAN I DESCRIBE HIM? He had washed and shaved, and looked anything but ruffianly now. I imagine a young fellow, of about five and twenty years of age, about five feet ten inches in height, with raven black hair that hung in curls over his forehead, a pair of eyes as. black as coal, and a face as white as the paper I am now holding in my hand—a handsome brave- looking young fellow-he looked the jury full in the face without a quiver, the only evidence of fear being the deathly pallor of his face; I suppose the bravest mortal who ever lived paled when face to face with death, and this young fellow was only human. (To be continued.)

POSTYPRIDD BOARD OF GUARDIANS. At the fortnightly meeting of the Guardians of the Pontvpridd Union, held on Wednesday, there were present: Rev. D. W. Williams, M.A., in the chair; Mr J. Lewis, i,n the vice-chair; His Honour Judge G. Williams Messrs E. John, P. Dunn, E. Thomas, P. Phillips, E. Williams, D. Thomas, T. Morgan (Fron), T. Howells, T. Morgan (Tonteg), J. Richards, W. John, W. Morgan, W. Prichara, D. Lewis, D. John, E. Edwards, E. H. Davies, D. Evans, W. L. Herbert, W. Davies, E. Evans, E. Jenkins, H. Anthony, D. Jones, W. Jones (Navi. gation), A. Cule, D. Llewellyn, T. H. Thomas, D. W. Davies, Dr. Llewellyn, and Rev. W. Morris. THE TREASURERSHIP OF THE UNION. In regard to the treasurership of the Union, the Clerk explained that although they had advertised, he had not yet received the resignation of Mr M. R. Williams.—Mr Williams was called into the room, and explained that he had a conversation with the vice-chairman on the matter, and at that time he intended resigning in favour of the local manager of the London and Provincial Bank if it was the wish of the majority of the Board. Find- ing that it was not so, he did not intend resigning. -His Honour Judge Gwilym Williams strongly commented upon the inconvenience which the board had been put to.-After a warm discussion, the Rev. W. Morris gave notice of motion to bring,, the matter before the next meeting. INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL OR COTTAGE HOMES. Mr Bircham, Local Government Board Inspec- tor, hoped the question of providing accommoda- tion for the Workhouse children in some place where they would be far from the usual work- house surroundings would be again taken up, and that a resolution would be passed approving of some such project before details were gone into. He saw tl e chairman of the Merthyr Board of Guardians there, said hoped that gentleman would tell this board what benefits they had derived from such a scheme in Merthyr. Mr W. Jones, in the course of an interesting speech, gave an outline of the benefits which Merthyr had derived from the establishment of Industrial Schools at Aberdare. His Honour Judge Williams said that after the explanation of Mr Jones it appeared to him they should not hesitate to adopt some scheme on the basis suggested. What the details were to be must, of course, be fully discussed and vefitilated. It wall- perfectly clear they would have to provide accom- modation somewhere, and the money necessary to carry out some such scheme as was suggested would be infinitesimally small that he felt cer- tain the ratepayers would not object. He was told that the cost would not be more than one-fifth of a farthing in the £ .—Mr Bircham: Less than that.—Judge Williams then gave notice that he would, that day month, move a resolution that the guardians finding it necessary to provide additional accommodation for indoor paupers, were of opinion that it could be best met by taking the children ) from the Workhouse and erecting a separate estab- lishment for them elsewhere, That, he added, did not pledge the Board to the Industrial School sys- tem or Cottage Homes. RE-APPOINT ME XT OF MEDICAL OFFICER FOR LLANFABON I: THE" PLUHALITIES" RESOLUTION DECLARED FANTASTIC. On the motion of Mr E. Edwards, seconded by Mr Prichard, Dr Leigh was re-appointed medical officer for Llanfabon parish. The Clerk (Mr E. C. Spickett) remarked that now the resolution was passed he must draw the attention of the board to the fact that it was in contravention of the resolution passed at the pre- vious meeting to tha effect that no officer should hold move than one appointment. That was the r of hastily passing fantastic resolutions, and lie thought it would be well for someone to give notice to rescind that resolution.—Mr Prichard asked what other appointment Mr Leigh held under the guardians.—The Clerk: Public vacci- nator.—Mr D. Evans: I beg to give notice that I will move tha rescinding of that resolution as far as concerns medical oSiosrs.—The Clerk said that relieving officers acted as inquiry officers as well, and it was important they should.—A voice: What other officers in this union?—The Chairman: What about the clerk ?-Mr D. Evans gave notice to move the rescinding of the resolution entirely. RAILWAY APPEAL. At the suggestion of the Clerk, it was decided to defend the appeal of the Pontypridd and Caer- philly Railway Company, which had been res- pited until the next qnarter Sessions. MR E. EDWARDS' SEAT. I ^jjA deputation from Llanfabon waited upon the board, and stated that it was the wish of the rate- payers that Mr Edwards should remain a repre- sent ativa guardian of that parish although he had b jen mads a magistrate.-Hev. E. Jones, Berth- ;wyd, acted as spokesman.—The Clerk said the appointment could not be filled unless Mr Edwards. signed a resignation, and all they had to do was to endeavour to prevail upon that gentleman not to sign it.—Mr George Osborne, Nelson, said that it was the unanimous wish of a large meeting of ratepayers that Mr Edwards should continue in office.—The Chairman asked Mr Edwards what he would do in the matter.—Mr Edwards said he was in the hands of the Board and the ratepayers, and he would comply with the request. LLANTHISANT PAHISII TO BE DIVIDED INTO WAKD3. The Clerk read a series of resolutions passed at a vestry meeting held on a recent date,. at Llantrisant on the motion of Mr Taliesin Morgan, seconded by Mr W. Rees, to ask the guar- dians to memorialise the Local Government Board for power to divide the parish into three wards* and to increase the number of guardians to seven.—Mr E. John moved that the resolution be complied with. — The Vice-chair- man said there could be no harm in it, and the resolution was agreed to.

COrVL WINNING AT CAERPHILLY. A HOPEFUL PROSPECT. A new seam has been struck at the new pits, Caerphilly. It was found about 4ft. below the level to which the pit had been sunk. Two "riders" of about 6in. in depth were cut through some time back, and it is confidently anticipated by many experienced workmen that the seam will prove to be the long-sought "Little Rock." Should these surmises prove correct the future of the historic town is assured, as pits would be immediately sunk in the Aber Valley. Indeed, we understand that land has already been secured by a few influ- ential Welsh colliery proprietors.

THE JUBILEE YEAR Is alre&ily, and yet will be, cefebr»*ad~by the core of ha ldreds of thousands of poor sufferers from various Bl <od, Skin, and Nerve diseases, which are most mar- vellously affected by the use of the world's renowned reojedy, viz -Hughes' Bldod Pills. ":1 iI

+nr. i • »y rn-'for lias seenred t l»e services Ot ill f..t a stm.hi in Now York. New |<iinicf-.i have been erected for t.he Alii" I,li|ii|.»:er COl JW si c fa cosli of i:t.500, inclmit-l'«a re|iiinit.e lilting^ and f11r11iI.tiro. The C iir In*-1 oilered a uiimiLo enquiry to bo maiie into tlio AtulniiolF expedition and the S»«g»ll*» incident. Tho Hi ituli a. Iiimner Gleaner lias been seized in Eo«.tl» Bay, Maine, for non-entry, the tins for which is i ,o<)0 .IuIh. The death is announced from pneumonia Qf Dr. Ssmkey, i ho lunacy expert of Boueatou Hall Asylum, Salop. Asylum, Salop. A lelegwnii from Pii is sn),s Tlio (Ifflri'(tl JOUTIHU h»i s published a .lecreo anllnuising ilie re- j turn of tliu Due I) Aumale lo France. A fund i* being raised for llio purpose of erecb- i ingit moniime"L to the late Emperor Frederick oil the battle Held at W^itli. Henry Isaac Hunfc, while watching a football i match at Bradford, was taken ill probably owing lio excitement, and died in a few minules. At New Yoik the death is announced of Mr. Richard W. Townshend, member of tho House of Representatives for Illinois. Lieutenant-Colonel Wynne, commanding tie Royal Engineers in Natal, has died suddenly of apoplexy. A- mail train overturned within about three milel of Honfieur, killing the engine driver and stoker, And injuring several oilier people. Abaureinadwe)!ing))ouseinBoot)o(;wo Chitdrenwereserioustyburntbeforobeingrescued. They were removed to the hospital, where they lie 111 a critical condition. The will of the late Richard Bradshaw, of Stan- liope Streeb, Hyde Park, all,1 of Cornhill, solicitor, has been proved, the personalty being declined at £ 100,7-47. The Queenslan 1 Cabinet, it is announced, has favourably received the proposals of Sir Someii Vine for the Establishment of a system of regular Correspondence with the Imperial Institute. We understand that Mr. Wilbei force, of the North-Eastern Circuit, has been appointed to the -office of Master in the High Court of -Justice, in succession bo Mr. Brewer, retired. The Queen has replied to the telegram from President Carnot by thanking the President for the cordiality of the reception accorded to her on Trench territory. The Albert medal of the first cla?s has been pre- eeittej to Mr. T. A. Whistler, first mate of the Ennerdale, of Liverpool, for exceptional bravery in Saving life absea. t The last weeks of "The Babes in the Y\ooI, ,which is the greatest success that even Mr. Augustus Harris has scored in pantomime, are ab length announce.! at Drury Lane. A telegram from Ilfracombe states thab the febeajner Ontario from Baltimore, ten miles north- west of Lundy Island, has broken down. The Earl of Bute, of Cardiff, is with her. The death has occurred at Dover of Mr. Steriker. Finnis, Deputy-Lieutenant of Kent and deputy- chairman of the Dover Harbour Board, of which Lord Granville is chairman. The state of Lord Westmorland's health, which Has been very unsatisfactory for weeks past, grows daily more serious. The friends of the noblo earl vntertain grave anxieties for him. The fan competition organised by the Fan- makers' Company has been well taken up, nearly 250 ladies and gentlemen having signified their intention of sen ling exhibits. We (Observer) have reason to believe that the post of Permanent Secretary of the Foreign Office, vacabcd by Sir Julian Pauncefote's appointment as Minister to Washington, will bo filled by Sir Philip Currie, K.C.B. The Court of Appeal, says a Paris telegram, has declared the Panama Canal Company to bo a civil association, thus reversing Lhe decision of the Tri- bunal of Commerce, that the Panama Canal Com- pany was a commercial society. Ab the Pennrth Police-court, Captain Legg, master of the steamship Boskenna Bay, of left- zance, was lined £ o>) and costs fot- carrying grain In bulk in the between decks of the steamer, con- trary to the Carriage of Grain Act. A New York telegram says tho Joint Commit teo Of the Central Traffic and Trunk Lino A-s n iation has passed a resolution against the pa\ nit-nt in any form of commission in connection with the aale of tickets of the issue of other companies. A man named John Wakely, a road contractor, ■was returning home alone near Yeoy:1 one night, ■when befell into a flooded ditch by too madside. He was drowned, his body boing found the follow- ing morning. A woman named Clarice Foxall (48), the wife of a miner, of Cromwell Street, Kates Hill, Dudley, attempted to commit suicide by cutting her throat with a knife. The poor woman has been slightly deranged for some time. An invitation has been sent to all French Depu- ties and English Members of Parliament to be pre- senb at the meetings in favour of internal .iuiial arbitration, which are to take place in Paiis on June 29 and 30. A 6re occurred in the Salvation Army Barracks, Beauforb street, Liverpool, the other night, ami a panic ensued, bub the congregation disperse ) with- toabserious injury to any worshipper. The tire was extinguished before much damage had been done. Pending the preparation of the new siie for their annual encampment, the Duke of has informed the National Rifle Association that he will offer no objection to the meeting being held this year at Wimbledon. A slighb shock of earthquake has occurred in Eastern Pennsylvania. Ib was felt it, Lancaster, Earrisbuig, Gettysburg, and their environs, and also ab Wilmington (Delaware), and several places in Maryland and New Jersey. On searching the passengers who disembarked from the City of Chicago, which arrived at %uoens- town the other day, revolvers were found con- cealed on the persons of Michael Doneghy and his wife, and a quantity of ammunition was found amongst their luggage. They were both arrested. The other night four basket-women were drink- ing in a houso in Na-th-strect, Liverpool — a low neighbnni hood— when two of them, named I. ;>ng^n and tjioilrey, quarrelled and fought. Laog.m, ii. is Said, threw a tumbler at Cotirey, cutting a main artery of her wrist, and she bled to death. Ib is stated that a company is in prow** <•; for- mation to establish direct communication U-t w.n Liverpool and New Zealand, by which MM at ,.1,1111 come straight from the colony to Live) n hence ib will be distributed throughout the t i' o. Eng- land and Scotland. The Bank of France, on the guar ant <;o "f a syndicate representing the piincipal •■redit. establishments <>f Paris, has advam-tnl 1 ) francs to l.he Coniptoir d'Esfo'n|>1 e, and ,:1" enabled it to meet the continued run by the deposi- tors. A enrions accident befell r train from Liverpool the ot her morning. When ncai ing Wai i ingi.on, it ran across a bale of calico niiich lia I /1 ¡ell' i "i:i in the wheels that the Liain nils titda^ctl an ln.iii while the calico was uiiwuiiml. At Chester Assizes Mr..lu-l.ice Cave. Centy Mense Rackham, «:K-rk, pica 1 I gu.ly h ehargc- of embezzlement nll,1 forgciy in C, 1111' tin.. 'v;LIa the M:> ■(. le-licld S'tvmgs tank in Sei lasl" ami was sentenced to six ycais' peon I -ervit nde. A o inorial tablet hasjnst beenerocl> d lotlle 1,,1.0 Er p<-t t* Fiedcrick s;t Sai»ipierdai'«-iia, the ,11110.1.1011 on t ti 'liviera line for Lilian, wlx.it! I,he Ii 11. hing niK1 look place, just, a year ag<>, Li-twwu i^ii.g Hit A" I tile Emperor iict'.vick, while ihti liitl na.-on his way from Sail l'emo to (icimany. j .-jiplo-ioo lias occurred at tin; gasw<>il«.s of tilt- ,h% i.;i-t<:i n llaihvay C'oin|iali\, at. rat lord. Ov »>».» Sni>m«l Sharp, li.aiinvl, ngi-tl tT, *11 11.mod and conveyed to l.lio ho-pital, where it Wn »md t !i;>! his knee was fractin oil, and that ho ,.1 «ca! p wuiinds, i (. i< —-rm-s.- Mr. W.J. Hairis, coroner, held an tttC kl>>» body of Henry I'rcml, coal nifcr- ell) 1; '1 ti.f e* idenco showed I hat, deceased, who wa '.ma! w 'iking man, \VII" ill financial dilli. Cni 'I l>ad the bailiff in his Im^^e. This so a|) 'J»at he went t<» his sinhlo and coin- j**i> -<i.i.le 1 >y hanging himself. The jury ret t ;< verdict of temporary insanity. < entniI Criminal ('unit, London, the Re. i. ( oghl.ui, cleigynian of the Church of En L W ittiai.i H«nry Manning, solicitor's clerk, J..I 11 €•<lerick JoliI 0, ami .1 n(n.' Husoell, nil -in convicted of fiand, Mere brought up I for nt.. t owhlan n>»«I Manning weie each U-it,, Terry I «' -■ it to 12, aud JuliL'e to 15 niunlhs' hard .1.