Wrexham Guardian

THE COLLIERS' CONDUCT. Is there anything in the Welsh air that infects our working men with madness ? Some such cause seems the only reasonable explana- tion of their strange vagaries. They pursue the most wrongheaded policy, and persist in it with a determination which they may think heroic but which is only fatuous. It is not long since they engaged in a quarrel at the Penrhyn slate quarries in sheer wantonness of antagonism, and when they were offered all they wanted, they seemed reluctant to accept it. They had a perverse taste for martyrdom and self-sacrifice. Then the Llanberris quarry- men intervened in a conflict with which they had no possible concern, and altogether the Welsh working man is apparently emulous of the pugnacity of the Irishman who trailed his coat on the ground for somebody to tread on it- Now it is the colliers of North Wales who are smitten with the fever of madness. Their case is very bad indeed. They have contrived a quarrel out of the very expedients employed to avert it, and are rushing headlong into a strite that will afflict them with heavy punishment. We are happily relieved from the discussion of complex details and irreconcilable differences of opinion: the men have brushed away all these intricacies, and left themselves exposed to open censure. It is well known that for several months there has been a steady depreciation in the value of coal, and in August last the coal pro- J prietors of this district, following the accepted policy of their neighbours elsewhere, gave notice of a reduction of fifteen per cent. it wages. The men were naturally averse to the reduction, and a strike seemed imminent; for its avoidance it was mutually agreed to leave the question to arbitration. A court of con- ciliation was instituted, and between the re- spective delegates Mr Sergeant Wheeled, Q.C., was appointed umpire. The whole facts were laid before him, each side submitted reports and accountants' appraisements based upon the actual books of the masters, and representative men argued every point before him exhaus- tively. No man has had larger experience in weighing evidence, or discriminating on argu- ments than the late judge of the Liverpool County Court, and now filling the same high office in London. His award was in favour of the masters, and consequently of the reductioii of wages which they proposed. But no sooner is the award known than the men turn round and denounce it as "a gross imposition," and refuse to abide by it. They say that the facts were not accurately laid before the arbitrator, that their accountant neglected to make abate- ments in the valuations which ought to have been considered, and generally that justice has not been done to them. In truth these are mere apologies for the repudiation of the award—afterthoughts invented for the justifi- cation of an unjust procedure. It is scarcely credible that the umpire can have been deluded in the foolish way the men suggest; if so, it is a small compliment to their own astuteness, and the competency of their own representa- tives. They had unrestricted opportunities of collecting evidence, and we will do Mr Macdonald, M.P., and Mr Lloyd Jones the justice to believe that they set forth every point which they thought could tell in favour of their Cause. Of Mr Wheeler's impartiality and com- petency it is unnecessary to speak; they are beyond impeachment, and if he has erred the error arises from the failure of the men to put their case fully before him, for which they alone are responsible. Yet they receive the ê award with an arrogant contempt that ill I bespeaks their wisdom. They do not discuss its merits or reproach themselves for the care- lessness with which they now allege that their pleas were prepared, but they bluntly declare that the award is unjust and shall be rejected. But as though this indecorum was not .1iagrant enough the men must needs take a step further forward in indiscretion. Their wages have been reduced because trade was unprofitable-a decision which the arbitrator has confirmed after judicial investigation—but the men, in the face of notorious facts, have given notice of an increase of five per cent. upon wages which are already pronounced to be excessive. In reversal of the reduction of fifteen per cent., they demand an increase of twenty per cent., and we are now on the eve of a bitter conflict on this issue. Against 'this couduct we would simply quote one paragraph from Mr Sergeant Wheeler's award, for on his c) impartial deliverance the public will place more reliance than on the jaundiced assertions of partisans:—" Upon a careful review of the whole matter, and giving due weight to all the facts which have been proved, and to the very I able arguments addressed to me by Mr Robertson, M.P., on behalf of the masters, and I by Mr Macdonald, M.P., and Mr Jones, on behalf of the men, it appears to me that inas- much as by the working of the collieries at present in the districts in question, and taking into account only (as part and parcel of the cost of production) necessary expenditure in laborage, material, general charges, and royalties, and without reference to interest on capital and to a depreciation or replacement fund, a serious loss is entailed upon the em- ployers, it is just and right that the workmen, whose wages have been from time to time advanced in more prosperous seasons, should assist in diminishing that loss by a reasonable reduction in wages having some relation to the proportion which labour bears to the outlay incurred." Notwithstanding this strong opinion the men not only refuse to submit to a reduc- tion, but demand an immediate increase of wages. How trades unionists generally may regard the conflict we have no means of knowing. At the Glasgow congress—and indeed throughout the country-strong advocacy of arbitration has been made by the working men. The present incident is a discouraging commentary on such professions of amity. Conciliation has been tried, and because its results are adverse, the arbitrator's award is rejected with contumely. The chairman of the colliers, speaking of their demand for an increase of twenty per cent, said-" We will not refer this to arbitration; we will arbitrate upon it our- selves." This is the embodiment of brute force. It simply means-' I Right or wrong, we shall have our way; we have the power to extort more wages, and we mean to use it." Perhaps Johnny Dudley has miscalculated his strength; certainly he and his friends have given a rude shock to .arbitration as an equit- able and honourable way of settling trade dis- putes, and it may be found as the result that, appealing to sheer force, they are the weaker side. In any case they have forfeited public sympathy by their unwise course, for neither individuals nor classes can expect approval when they repudiate the judgment they have themselves invoked. We are not without hope, however, that when the first sense of irritation and disappointment has worn off, more moderate councils will prevail among the men, They cannot expect cordial help from their fellows, whose conciliatory spirit they discredited; nor can they command the ap- proval of the outside public. They are utterly ] in the wrong in the repudiation of the umpire's award, and they have further aggravated the blunder by their precipitancy in making counter demands in direct violation of that judgment. Let these points be fully considered before plunging into a strike at the threshold of winter. ——*———————

AGRICULTURE. Shakespeare says we may find sermons in stones, books in the running brooks, but in his boldest metaphor he never suggested that it was possible to extract pastoral symphonies from agricultural statistics. Nor shall we attempt so hopeless a task. Mr Valpy has just issued the "Agricultural Returns of Great Britain for 1875," or rather the preliminary synopsis of them, with the proviso that the figures may be subject to future revision, the J, final corrections in some cases not having yet been received." The date of these statistics ? AS issued from the Board of Trade is the it inst., and it may seem somewhat absur .d for the Government to tell us how much land is under hay, corn, and other crops when the harvest has been gathered and thr information is of comparatively little value. 7 "he agricultural department of this country is little more than a farce. It gives slight ir iStruction at any time, and such knowledge as may be derived from its publications is a) ways a year behind time. Our agricultural d .epartment presents a humiliating contrast to that of the United States, where the inf ormation is published promptly, in an attr Active and useful form, and in such a manD er as to be of service to farmers, merchant 13, and consumers. Our returns are at o nce stupid and antiquated. They consist of 1 ong rows of figures cast in the same stereotyped mould, appalling in their multitude but positively useless as guides to the current state of agriculture in this country. Every ye Ar these tabular statements we pub- lished ira the same form, and the only improve- ment that has occurred in them is that their issu.e has been somewhat expedited. Of course it would be unfair to blame the Board of 'Trade for this state of things. There is no organised machinery for the gathering of authentic information, nor any obligation on farmers to furnish returns at all, and under such a haphazard system the marvel is that so much knowledge is acquired. However, it is unavailing to complain of the defects el p of the returns we must just take them as they are, and endeavour to gather whatever knowledge the figures will yield. Whether this may be right or wrong we cannot say, and every man must be left to draw his own deductions as to the state of agriculture, here depicted. First we will deal with the figures nationally, then locally; premising that in every case they relate to the returns for the present and past year as made up on the 25th of June. In the whole of Great Britain—England, Wales, and Scotland-the total area under cultivation is 31,417,212 acres, being an increase of about a hundred and fifty thousand acres as compared with 1874. Of this acreage 9,451,650 acres are under various kinds of corn crops, which is a very slight increase upon the figures of last year. It is not a little suggestive of the abundant yield of foreign countries and the low prices ranging for breadstuffs, that this year has witnessed a remarkable diminution in the area of wheat sown, and an almost corresponding extension of that under barley and oats. This year the breadth of wheat was 3,342,481 acres against 3,630,300 acres last year, which is a heavy depreciation while of barley the acreage has expanded from 2,287,987 acres last year to 2,509,701 this year, and of oats from 2,596,384 acres to 2,664,009. The other kinds of cereals are insignificant in amount and of almost stationary area. This year rye has covered 54,903 acres, beans 564,181 acres, and peas 316,375, figures which correspond closely wjth those of the previous year. There has been almost no fluctuation in the green crops, whether as relates to the gross figures or the details. This year, land under the various kinds of green crops has been 3,664,104 acres as compared with 3,581,270 acres last year. Turnips and swedes are of course the principal items in this class; they cover 2,142,698 acres this year, which is about ten thousand acres more than at the corresponding date of last year. The next largest contributor is the potatoe crop which covered 522,653 acres this year then vetches, lucerne, and miscellanies 432,469 acres, mangold 361,615 acres, cabbage, kohl rabi and rape 189,733 acres. There has been a considerable decrease of hare fallow or uncropped arable land, namely, from 660,260 acres last to 557,947 this year. The area set apart for hay has been 2,108,980 acres against 2,045,688 last year, while of grass under rota- tion not for hay there has been a slight decrease, the acreage now standing at 2,245,091 acres. Permanent pasture, exclusive of heath or mountain land, extends to 13,313,486 acres, being an increase of a quarter of a million acres upon the year. The live stock naturally possess excep- tional interest at this time, when the beef question occupies a prominent place in public thought. The information to be gathered from the agricultural returns is not suggestive of that reduction of our butchers' bills which every housewife is anxious to accomplish. There is a considerable decrease in the herds and flocks of Great Britain, and we believe that Jhe same curtailment has occurred in the cattle grazing districts of Ireland. Great Brita.in last year possessed 6,125,491 head of cattle, this year the census is 6,012,824, and one of tahe worst features in the return is that the diminution is chiefly con- spicuous ini young cattle, t'ne number under two years of age having fallen from 2,342,070 to 2,174,370 this year. "îhe sheep, which last year numbered 30,313,9.4 tl, have now diminished to 29,166,139, and of- pigs the number has fallen from 2,422,83,2 last year to 2,229,918 this year. Thesf, statistics are singularly illustrative of the arguments we used last week in proof of the necessity of utilising in some form the herds of foreign countries, if not for our homestead is at least for our dinner tables. No" we riii look briefly at the statistics for this distri( t The Principality is not a great corn-gro' King country, but it is satisfactory to know t ant it is not losing ground in that branch of ag' iculture. This year the acreage under the various kinds of corn was 512,178 acres, ar jainst 516,001 acres last year. Oats, of I course, is the chief element in the cereals of Wales; it covered 237,170 acres this year, being an increase of about two thousand acres on the year; barley and bere covered 154,444 acres, wheat 111,797 acres, and there were also small quantities of beans and peas. The green crops of Wales are not very extensive, and in the aggregate reached only 131,085 acres, of which. seventy thousand acres were in under turnips and swedes, and 44,505 under potatoes. Last year we had 117 acres under flax (chiefly in Denbighshire), but this year it has fallen to 54 acres, from which we infer that the experi- ment has not proved encouraging. The land uncropped or bare fallow reaches to 25,917 acres, which is a considerable decrease on the preceding year. Grass and pasture are the great elements of Welsh agriculture, and of bere there is neither decrease nor increase. The area under rotation-grass, clover, and sanfoin is 360,596 acres, of which about two-thirds was for hay; under permanent pasture, meadow, or grass, exclusive of heath or mountain land, the acreage is 1,666,313 acres, being an increase of thirty thousand, and the great bulk of this was used for grazing purposes, not for hay. Our live stock seems to be diminishing in much the same ratio as that of the country generally. We have now 651,274 head of cattle against 665,105 last year; 2,951,810 sheep against 3,064,696, last year 203,348 pigs against 213,754. Of horses there has been a small augmentation, the number now standing at 124,711 against 123,523 last year, fully half of them being kept solely for agricultural pur- poses, and the other moiety are unbroken horses or mares kept for breeding.

NOTES OF THE WEEK. THE ratepayers in the Wrexham Union will be gratified to learn that the calls for the ensuing half-year are reduced in the aggregate by over £ 1.800. This means a reduction in local taxation without any inefficiency in the administration of the poor laws. Sir Stafford Northcote's Budget has done something towards the remission, whilst, no doubt, a careful supervision of the Union ex. penditure, by the guardians, has not been without some good effect. Ratepayers are not reluctant in meeting the calls when they find that their con- tributions are judiciously and economically expended. In the Wrexham Union, they are fortunate in having a good representative board, and Officials who are most attentive in their depart- ments, and we hope that this happy state of things may continue, for the benefit of the poor and the public. IT is somewhat remarkable that Birmingham should come to the front in the crusade against buildings unfit for human habitation. As soon as the Artisans' and Labourers' Dwellings' Improve- ment Act had become law, the Town Council set to work to carry out the objects for which it was passed. The medical officer reported to the effect that Birmingham presented a greater amount of disease, particularly of the zymotic kind, than, from the many favourable natural conditions of the town, ought to exist there, and this fact he attributed principally to the faulty construction and dilapidated condition of many of the buildings. He specified more particularly a large area in the heart of the town abounding in narrow streets, houses without back doors or windows, confined yards, courts open at one end only, absence or insufficiency of privy accommodation, and dilapi dation of buildings, as being positively unfit for human habitation, and a source of sanitary danger to the surrounding neighbourhood. In consequence of this report the Council took immediate steps to prepare a scheme for the demolition of the rook- eries, and taking advantage of the opportunity, proposed the formation of a new street 22 yards wide. The scheme was fully discussed during two days, and on Tuesday it was unanimouslv »dr»nW? w -J In advocating the adoption of the plan, the Mayor gave an outline of its main features. He estimated its cost on sanitary reform grounds, after allowing for the improved value of the property, at = £ 265,000, and the total cost, including street improvements, would be £ 530,000. For this sum the Corporation would become the ultimate freeholders of 40 acres of land; they secured the power to reconstruct the whole of dwellings erected on that area; they threw open four half-acres of streets, and had four half-acres added to the fresh air spaces of the town. The buildings which they would get rid, were said to accommodate" 9,000 people; but the buildings with which would replace them would accommodate double that number. The project is a gigantic one, but it meets with the approval of the people of Birmingham. It is, as we have remarked, singular that the most Radical of our larger English Boroughs is the first to take ad-vantage of a Bill passed by the Conservative Ministry. The Mayor of Birmingham is a would- be leader of the Radicals, and a propounder of a new creed for their re-organisation; but he is the leading pioneer in the scheme which takes its origin from Mr Cross's Act. We have clear evidence here of the necessity for it, and no greater com- pliment could be paid the Ministry than that the constituents of Mr John Bright should be found the most eager to adopt it. This fact dispelsall fears of it being a dead letter. THE separate system of town sewerage is gaining more popularity as time rolls on. At the Social Science Congress, on Tuesday, Lieut.-Colonel Jones, of Havod-y-wern Farm, read a paper on its advantages, and in the discussion which followed, Mr Hope, of Romford Sewage Farm, MrBaldwin Latham, C.E., and other eminent persons who are conversant with the subject of draining our towns, expressed their approval of the syste m.Colonel Jones showed that when waterworks were intro- duced it was desirable to provide distinctly for the removal from the town of so much foul water as the new works brought in clean. The old drains of towns were already fully occupied by surface and subsoil water, and it was a mistake to en- cumber them with sewage. They were liable to be I hoked up with road detritus, and the current of e-vmge in dry weather was very sluggish along the iroad inverts of such channels, which were ne- essarily made laxge enough for storms of only oc- casional occurrence. No arrangements, he main- lamed, can provide for the purification of the vhole quantity of rainfall and sewage in time of itorm, and consequently 'provision is always made by overflows for an occasional escape of this mix- ture into the nearest water-course. He contends bhat it would be better to allow the rain water to now into the nearest water-course directly, instead of through the medium of a foul sewer. If sewage is to be pumped, purified, or utilised in any way he thinks the expense of such processes must be nearly proportionate to the volume of sewage dealt with, and consequently it is desirable to keep out of sewers any water which is sufficiently clean to pass into a river. Speaking from his own ex- perience, he asserts that the uncertainty due to rainfall is often sufficient to turn the profitable-use of sewage upon land into an absolute loss, because a farmer least desires to have his land deluged by a weak solution of manure at the very time when he is receiving more water than he needs from the clouds. The separate system has been tried for more than 20 years with good results at Tottenham, and for shorter periods at Aldershot, Eton, Windsor Castle, &c.; it is also now being adopted in the great sewerage works in progress at Oxford, but the combined system still lingers in most towns, and it seems very desirable that Borough Surveyors and Local Boards ahould give some attention to this matter, so that extensions of sewerage works, so frequently required throughout the country, may not be carried out on a faulty system.

RHYL. GOOD T.EArPLARY.-The English Lodges of Good Templars held a miscellaneous entertainment of a public character in Sussex-street Chapel, on Monday evening, which was well attended. COURT LEET.—This veAW ancient court was held at Khyl, on Thursday, for the Crown lands on the Lordship of Inglewood. After the proceedings the parties interested sat down to an excellent dinner. INDUCTION OF A MINISTER.-On Sunday, the Rev W. Roderick preached his first Sunday sermons as pastor of the Welsh Baptist Chapel, Water- street, Rhyl. his induction having taken place during the previous week. WELSH WESLEYANS.—This body celebrated their anniversary services by special sermons preached by popular Welsh ministers on Sunday and Monday five or six services being held. Large collections were made in aid of the funds. WESLEYAN.—Mr B. Littler and Mr G. Bucking- ham, Rhyl, and Mr J. Edwards, Abergele, have been elected members of the committee appointed to raise a fund in the North Wales district for the increase of the ministers' stipends, in accordance with the resolution of the conference. SALE AT CLAREMONT.-On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of this week the household furniture and out-door effects of Mr James Taylor, chairman of the Rhyl Commissioners, were submitted to public auction by Mr George Debney. On the whole large prices were realised, and the sale was conducted with Mr Debney's well known ability and tact. We may add that the mansion will be taken possession of immediately by the hydropathic company. REVISING BARRISTER'S COURT.-On Tuesday, Mr Langford Foulkes, the senior barrister on the North Wales and Chester Circuit, and who has revised the list of voters in Flintshire for some years, held a revision court at Rhyl. Mr Partington, of St. Asaph, represented the "Cori servatives, and no one appeared for the Liberals. The Conservatives made several claims and no objections, and they were passed unopposed, thus giving them a substantial gain on the revision of this distr'ct. Nothing of interest, arose out of the proceedings; but the result showed that the local association had actively watched the state of the register during the year. FUNERAL OF MR COMMISSIONER A-mos.-The body of Mr Amos, whose death we noticed in last week's Guardian, was brought home, from Trefrew on Friday, and on Saturday tae interment took place in Rhyl cemetery. The funeral was of a public character and was attended by about 500 of his peisonal friends, brother commissioners, membeis of the Wesleyan churches, and tradespeople. Deceased was highly respected, having attained a good position by his own industry. For many years he was a prominent members of the Wesleyan Society and was a liberal subscriber to the various funds of that church. As a commissioner he did not excel in debate, but paid considerable atten- tion to the interests of the ratepayers. He had only resigned his seat the day previous to his death. TEA PARTY AND LITERARY MEETING.—On Thursday the children and teachers of the Bethel Chapel, Vale-road, Rhyl, had their annual treat. The scholars were marched in procession to a field adjoining the residence of Mr Jones, Merllyn, where, after indulging in a variety of games, they were provided with refreshments in the shape of buns and milk; the teachers being provided with an excellent tea by Mr Jones. The youngsters were attended to by Miss Jones, Mrs Thomas, Post Office; Messrs E. Morgan, Vale-road; R. Hughes, Vale-road; and J. Parry Jones, Wellington-road. Later in the evening the children were entertained to a plentiful supply of good ripe fruit, which they much enjoyed. At seven o'clock a literary and musical meeting was held under the presidency of Mr 0. Thomas, Postmaster. The children's choir gave a number of selections in good style, under the leadership of Mr W. Roach; there were also competitions in reading, spelling, recitations, solo and duet singing, &c., the adjudicators being the Rev R. Owen (who also catechised the children), and the Rev D. Charles Davies and Mr J. Edwards, Medlock Villa. The meeting closed with hearty thanks to Mr Jones, for the use of his field and for the entertainment, and to the other prominent supporters of the affair.

WREXHAM. VESTRY MEETING —A vestry meeting was held at the parish church, Wrexham, on Monday, at noon, to receive a statement of accounts of the church- wardens for the half-year ending the 29th 'Septem- ber last; to take into consideration a proposal to put up screens at the south and west entrances of the church, and form a vestrv-room, under the organ loft; and to submit a proposal for re-slating the roof of the building used as a chapel in the burial ground, Ruthin-road. The Vicar took the chair but only for a few minutes, having to fulfil an engagement at Llangedwyn in the course of the day. In consequence of this announcement, it was unanimously resolved to adjourn the consideration of the more important items on the notice paper to a future day. The Rev J. Dixon afterwards pre- sided; and there were also present the Rev M Shelton, Mr T. Williams, Mr J. Oswell Bury, and Mr Glascodine, churchwardens Dr Williams. Mr John Lewis, Mr T. Bury, Dr Davies, Mr Turner, Mr Harriss, Mr G. Thomas, Mr Heywood, and Mr Lovatt, parish clerk. Mr J. Oswell Bury acted as vestry clerk. The accounts of the churchwardens for the half-year ending September 29th were presented, and showed that the net receipts amounted to .£182 19s !d, as compared with X86 lis 4d for the corresponding period of last year. The Sunday morning and evening offertories amounted to X232 19s 6d, as compared with X112 7s 6d last year. The special offertories for paying off the debt amounted to X28 15s 2d; and the sub scriptions towards the same object to X6 4s id. The following sums had been paid over to the treasurers of various societies:—To Mr T. T. Griffith, for the Sunday schools of Ireland, X13 3s 4d; to Mr Overton, for diocesan societies, £25 16s 2d; Church Missionary Society, X20 Os 8d; Rev T. Kirk, for ditto, £17 17s. The balance remaining in the hands of the churchwardens was stated to be .£18 10s 3!d. Much satisfaction was expressed at the improvement shown in the largely increased amount of the offertories. Mr Glascodine repre- sented the urgency of the work required to be done in repairing the roof of the chapel in the burial ground, the season being well advanced, and the days drawing in. The cost would be about £ 32. Dr Davies moved that the churchwardens have authority to carry out the necessary repairs, which being seconded by Mr Turner was carried nem. con. Mr Lewis then proposed that the follow- ing gentlemen be nominated as lay representatives for the rural deanery of Wrexham :-The four churchwardens, viz.: Mr T. Williams, Mr J. Oswell Bury, Mr Overton, and Mr Glascodine; and Mr Meredith, Mr Jones-Parrv, Mr Lewis, Captain Godfrey, Mr Low, Mr Sisson, Dr Davies, Mr E. Rowland (Bryn Offa), Mr J. G. Buckton, Mr Page, Mr Davenport, Mr R. W. J. Evans (Infirmary), Mr Thos. Manley, Mr Thomas Bury, Mr Crawford (Coedyglyn), and Mr Williams, Rhosddu. The motion was agreed to. Dr. Williams complained of the darkness experienced by that portion of the congregation which made their exit by the south door of the church on Sunday even- ings, and proposed that the churchwardens be re- quested to cause the erection of two lamps to light the south and west entrances. This motion was likewise adopted. Mr Churchwarden Williams then mentioned the practice which had long been dis- continued of ringing what was known as the curfew bell, and said many were anxious that the old custom should be revived. He had spoken to Air Bailey, the sexton, who, however, made some demur to leaving his warm room to toll the bell in tne cold winter evenings without some remuneration. Mr Lewis said when there was an agreement conn- to among the tradesmen to close their shops at eignt instead of nine, a proposition that the bell should be rung at eight o'clock, after meeting with con- siderable opposition from all the antiquaiies of the place was agreed to. Then came the Church-rate squabbles, and amongst other things there was an objection made by the Dissenters to pay for this out of the rate; and there being no pay there was no bell, and the matter dropped. The Chairman said they had no opposition to fear now. Mr T. Williams said the tolling of the bells cost eight guineas a year he proposed that they make it ten guineas. The Chairman said it only came to lid a night. Dr. Davies: I should like to hear the bell myself. Mr Lewis: What is paid to old Bailey? Mr T. Williams replied, eight guineas per year as sexton. Mr Lewis said they should not have known when the service days were some years gone by but for Mr Bailey's chiming the bells. He moved that from the 29th September last he be paid £ 20 a, year. Dr Davies seconded the motion, which was carried. Mr T. Williams then said that a Welsh service necessitated a Welsh organist. A vestryman asked facetiously if the organ required to be played- in Welsh. Mr Lewis said it was one of those ques- tions that could very well stand over until the vicar- was able to be present. On the motion of Mr T. Williams, a vote of thanks was tendered the volun- tary choir for their services; and the remaining, items on the notice-paper having been postponed, the vestry was adjourned. NEW LODGE OF FORESTERS.—The opening dinner of a new lodge of Foresters, to be called "Court Robin Hood," took place at the Ship Inn, Yorke- street, on Thursday evening, when a large com- pany sat down to a substantial spread. The lodge is likely to become a very successful one. SATURDAY EVENING ENTERTAINMENTS AT THE TEMPERANCE HALL.—Another of these entertain- ments was given last Saturday evening, Mr J. Pryce-Jones in the chair. The programme included an address by Mr Sims, of London, agent of the National Temperance League, varied with gtees and choruses by the Gwertfro glee party, and readings, songs, &c., by other persons. MRS WHITE'S ORPHAN HomE.-Mi-s White begs to thank Lady Georgina Peel for a parcel of clothes, Mrs Overton for vegetables, Mrs Acton for fruit, Mrs Kawlins for dripping, Mrs Pierce for fruit, Mrs Coxhead for apples, Mrs Peter Walker for vegetables, Mrs Lonsdale for vegetables, Mrs Harold Lees for vegetables, Mrs Evans, Bronwylfa, for rabbits. Old waterproofs are much needed. FREEMASONRY.—The Grand Lodge of the Province of North Wales and Shropshire will meet at St. David's Lodge Room, Bangor, on Friday next, October 22nd inst. There will be divine service in the cathedral in the afternoon, when the sermon will be preached by the Bishop of Bangor, there will be a collection for Masonic and local charities. Afterwards there will be a banquet at the Castle Hotel. FAIR.—The usual fortnightly fair was held on Thursday, but the attendance was by no means large. Horses of an inferior kind were pretty plentiful, but little business was done. Pigs were in fair supply, and fetched good prices. Cattle were ex- tremely scarce. Mr Lloyd sold, at his mart, 20 fat and 15 store cattle, 200 fat sheep, and about 20 pigs, which were disposed of with a ready sale and fetched good prices. Beef fetched about 9d, and mutton 9td. UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF WALES.—A meeting of the Wrexham Committee was held at the Guildhall, on Friday evening week, for the purpose of making the necessary arrangements for the canvass and congregational collections at the end of the present month. A letter was read from Sir R. A. Cunliffe, Bart., accepting the office of president of the committee for Wrexham and district. A circular was ordered to be Issue I among the clergy and ministers of all denomimjions in the district (which is to be co-extensive wioh the union), asking them kindly to fall in with the congregational collections, which are expected to be carried out throughout Wales. The committee for the present have adjourned all matters except the congregational collections and the house canvass in the town of Wrexham. The town has been divided into eleven districts, and will be taken up by members of the committee. THE EISTEDDVOD-A meeting of the Literary Committee was held on Saturday morning last, the Vicar of Wrexham in the chair. The principal business was to complete the list of adjudicators, which will be issued in a few days. Among the adjudicators are:—The Vicar of Wrexham, Gwalch- mai, Quellyn, Ceiriog, Mynyddog, Estyn, Iolo, the Rev Llew. Thomas, Mr Trevor Parkins, Mr John Jones, Andreas o Von, Glanmor, Mr John Rhys, Rev D. R. Thomas, Rev Silvan Evans, the Principal of the University College of Wales, Mr Morgan Lloyd, M.P., Rev T. J. Hughes, Gweirydd ap Rhys, Mr T. Hughes, F.S.A., Mr Hughes, Cletwr, Rev D. Roberts, Dr Williams, Rev Robert Jones, M.A. (Sotherhithe), Mr John Thomas (Pencerdd Gwalia), (E Owain Alaw, &c., etc. It was resolved that the suggestions made in our columns some few weeks ago, that a prize of < £ 100 be offered for the last day, be carried out, the prise to he divided-X50, for the first, X30 the second, and £ 20 the third. It was resolved that a supplemental list be issued,, containing the list of Adjudicators, special prizes,. conditions, &c. Other important resolutions were also passed. MARRIAGE OF THE HON. G. T. KENYON.-This event is fixed to come off on Thursday next. There will be considerable rejoicings at Ruabon, Hanmer, Holt, Llanypwll, and other places. A numerously attended meeting of Mr Kenyon's well-wishers and friends was held at the Wynnstay Arms Hotel, Wrexham, on Thursday evening, to consider the- best mode of celebrating the event. Dr Williams presided. It was resolved that a public dinner should take place after the return home of the bride and bridegroom from their honeymoon, and that Mr Kenyon be an invited guest. The follow- ing gentlpmeu were elected as a committee (with power to add to their number) :—Dr. Williams, Mr J. C. Owen, Mr T. B. Acton, Mr C. O. Williams, Mr J. Beirne, Mr Snape. Mr J. Ollerhead, Mr Strachan, Mr Benson. Dr Llewellyn Williams, and Mr Evan Morris. The bells of Wrexham Church will ring a peal in honour of the event. COURT LEETS.—A court leet and view of frank- pledge for the Lordship of Bromfield and Yale, Manor of Llangwest, Wrexham Abbot, and Stansty Issaf, was held at the Old Swan, on Tuesday even- ing. The Steward of the Manor (E. Tench, Esq.% having sworn the jury, read the charge and performed the routine business. Afterwards a first-class spread was partaken of, Mr Tench presiding. When full justice had been done to the good things which host Lovatt had placed on the table, the Chairman gave the loyal toasts, which were followed by the health of Sir Watkin (Lord of the Manor). It is needless to say that the baronet's health was drunk in a bumper most heartily. The foreman (Mr T. Williams), according to custom, then took the chair, and gave a number of toasts including the health of the Steward, which was well received. The Mayor of Wrexham, who was an invited guest was toasted, and very kind expressions were offered to him for his services as-Mayor for two years. Mr and Mrs Lovatt were heartily thanked for the capital dinner they had prepared. A most pleasant evening was spent, many of the gentlemen present favouring the company with some capital songs. On Thursday, Mr Tench held a court for the manors of Ruabon, Esclusham, Burton, Llay, &c, at the Town Hall. THE NORTH WALES MAIL SERVICE.—The follow- ing letter which has been addressed to Mr Holland, M,P., explains the improvements which are about to be made in the mail service for the district be- tween Ruabon and Dolgelley:—" General Post Office, 7th Oct., 1875. Sir,—With reference to your letter of the 30th June last and to the previous re- presentations on the subject of the mail service to Dolgelley, I am desired by the Postmaster-General to inform you that the negotiations which have take taken place with the Great Western Railway Company have at length resulted in an arrange- ment under which a night mail service will be established on the 1st November next, between Chester and Dolgelley via Corwen and Bala. The arrival at Dolgelley will be at 7 30 a.m. or 44 minu- tes earlier than the present arrival via Carnarvon, while the despatch will be at 6.40 p.m. or one hour 31 minutes later than is at present the case via Machynlleth. At Bala the arrival will be 2S minutes earlier than at present, and the despatch two hours 27 minutes later. There will also be some advantage derived at Wrexham, Rua- bon, &c., as the new train will not leave Chester until after the arrival of the whole of the night mails, including the up night mail from Ireland, whereas at present the train from Chester to Ruabon in connection with which the mail cart to Llangollen and Corwen works is despatched without waiting for the letters from Ireland, and with only a portion (though of course the principal port ion) of the English letters. Cor- wen will also obtai n a later despatch of its night mail by one hour five minutes and Llangollen a later despatch by 25 minutes. Lord John Manners hopes that this arrangement, which he has sanc- tioned with much pleasure, will be satisfactory to yourself and the in habitants of the district affected. -I have the honour to be, sir, your obedient hum* ble servant, S. A. BLACKWOOD."