The Montgomery County Times and Shropshire and Mid-Wales Advertiser

— THE COAL CRISIS. DISTRESS AMONGST THE MINERS. A mass meeting of strikers was held on Satur- day at the Rocking Stone, Pontypridd. The different contingents of miners, some of whom had walked twenty and thirty miles from the extremities of the coalfields, were accompanied over the mountains to the rendezvous by brass bands. Speeches were delivered by the accustomed chair- man and Mr. Isaac Evans, Neath. The sliding scale was freely criticised, and a resolution as follows was adopted with only two or three dissentients: — That we, as workmen of South Wales and Mon- mouthshire, assembled on the Rocking Stone, consider that the time has arrived when we can now call upon the members of the Sliding Scale Committee to resign their position, and henceforth we call upon our select committee to move in the matter for establishing a mode for the regulation of wages more beneficial to us as workmen, and that we further pledge ourselves not to contribute towards the maintenance of the sliding scale organisation." It was proposed that a better organisation be formed for South Wales and Mon- mouthshire, but upon a division it was agreed by a very large majority That this mass meeting of miners of South Wales and Monmouthshire pledges itself to individually connect itself one and all with the South Wales and Monmouthshire branch of the Miners' Federation of Great Britain, in order to protect ourselves from further oppression; that this organisation is so far the best and most ideal one to look after the interests of the labour party." Rumours have been put in circulation from the llhondda that the leaders were in favour of work being resumed by the strikers, but this hardly appears to be correct, as when a test resolution was submitted by a delegate in favour of resuming on Tuesday a counter-proposition that nothing of the kind be entertained until the hauliers have first received their wages was carried by an over- whelming majority. The coal strike in North Wales has attained most serious proportions. Five weeks have now elapsed since the Denbighshire men first strtick work. Great distress prevails, the majority of the miners being quite destitute. The struggle seems likely to be a prolonged one. In the small district of Summerhill, it is stated, there are 135 families, with an average of five members in each, who are directly affected by the lock-out. In Flintshire some of the collieries still remain at work, although it is daily expected that these will follow the majority. At Buckley all the pits are closed, and it is feared that a few days will see an entire sus- pension of work at the local manufactories. A public meeting under the auspices of the North-east Manchester branch of the Independent Labour party was held on Sunday at New Cross, to protest against the action of the Watch Com- mittee in prohibiting collections being taken in aid of the colliers' strike. Collections were made at the meeting, and the collectors were arrested. A resolution was put to the meeting, which cor,usted of about 3,000 people, expressing sympathy with muMrrs and condemning the Y. atch Committee's action. The REWTATIOU > IIH IHI'I'II IL unamTriouely". On Saturday, Mr. S. Woods, M.P., addressed a public meeting in the circus, at Preston, the pro- ceeds of which were to be in ;:id of th' miners' fund. Having traced the upward tendency of miners' wages since they were" at starvation point," he insisted that if the miners had a just policy and an honest case they must fight out this struggle to the bitter end, or otherwise they would be practically admitting that they were in the wrong. The principle they were trying to establish, and which ought to exist in any and every condition of trade, was that the man who did the work ought to be able to live and to provide against the work- house as his refuge in old age. (Hear, hear.) He altogether denied that bad trade in industries dependent upon mining was the cause of the present demand of the employers for a reduction of wages, and said that the real explanation was that the demands of the country had been exceeded by the production. That over-production was explained by the fact that since 1889 no less than 126,000 additional men, mostly unskilled, had been im- ported into the mines. The exports, rapidly as they had increased, had failed to keep pace with the production. The coalowners pleaded that they made losses on contracts, but his contention was that if they took contracts knowing that they would not afford the proper payment of the work- men, it was not just to expect the workmen to suffer. (Hear, hear.) The profits of labour were as sacred as the profits of capital, and until that fact was recognised the workers would never be cootent. Serious rioting took place at collieries in the South Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, and other centres on Tuesday. In one or two places the military had to be sent for to assist the police. At St. Helens the men have refused to ballot on the resolution proposed. The North Staffordshire delegates adopted a resolution advising the men to persist in their refusal to accept the proposed reduction of 25 per cent. 111'. S. Woods, M.P., addressing a mass meeting of miners at Hindley on Tuesday, said it was ridiculous to assert that collieries were not paying in face of the immense fortunes left by colliery proprietors. Next session he intended to introduce a bill in parliament for a redistribution of the profits between capital and labour, giving labour a larger share. The extensive locomotive and other works of the Midland Railway at Derby were closed from Tues- day night until Monday next. This stoppage has been necessitated by the strike in the coal trade. The counting of the voting papers issued to the miners in Mid and East Lothian shows that the men are willing to refer the wages dispute to arbitration. The coalowners in the Fife, Clackmannan, and Kinross districts have agreed to give their men an advance of 12 per cent. At the Shirland pits near Chesterfield the attitude of the colliers became so threatening that a magistrate who was with the troops read the Riot Act, and told the men that if they did not withdraw in twenty minutes they would be fired upon. The crowd then slowly dispersed. In consequence of the importation of Scotch miners serious disturbances have taken place in South Wales. In the neighbourhood of Llanelly on Monday night and on Tuesday houses were wrecked and several people were seriously injured. The military were sent for. There was again a considerable amount of rioting at the colliery centres of South Yorkshire and North Staffordshire on Wednesday. At one or two pits the remaining stacks of cool were set on fire, and at the Wrath main Colliery, near Barnsley, damage to the extent of several thousands of pounds was done. At several collieries the police came into conflict with the miners, but the presence of the military in the principal areas of disturbance had the effect of reducing the violence of the rioters. As a result of meetings held on Wednesday, the strike in South Wales is reported to be practically at an end. At Llanelly, where there were serious disturbances on Monday and Tuesday, the presence of the military and an extra force of police appears to have restored order. Owing to the treatment they have received at the hands of the Welsh miners, many of the Scotch and Durham black- legs have left the district. — -— Mr.Wilson Barrett tells this Biblico-Shakespearean story:—A young man staning with a friend in front of a print-shop window gazed intently at an old and popular engraving for some time, and then inquired of his companion what it was, Why, it's The Prodigal Son,' said he. Yes, so it says," replied the other, but what does it mean ?" What!" ex- claimed his friend, excitedly, don't you know about jhe Prodigal Son ? Why it's one of Shakes- peare's best plays."

EPITOME OF WELSH NEWS. BALA has the distinction of being the first place in North Wales to be visited by the Land Commis- sion. The Commission sits there on Tuesday of next week, and it is expected that some interesting evidence will be forthcoming. LICENSING SESSIONS were held on Monday at Wrexham, St. Asaph, and Conway. At the last- mentioned place there were some warm encounters between the local temperance reformers and the representatives of the licence holders. The BISHOP OF ST. DAVID'S takes exception to the Duke of Argyll's recent statement that the Clergy Discipline Act of last year" affected chiefly" the church in Wales. By way of refuting the Duke's assertion, he mentions that of the seven cases of clerical misconduct that had been tried under the Act only two have arisen in Welsh dioceses. WELSH POLITICS.—An article from the pen of Mr. A. Griffith-Boscawen, M. P. (son of Captain Griffith- Boscawen, of Tredalyn hall, Rossell), appears in the National Review for the present month, entitled "A warning from Wales." The article deals prin- cipally with the anti-tithe agitation in Cardigan- shire, but it also embraces other subjects interesting to Welshmen, and deserves to be read by them, as by all interested in the future of Wales. TERRIBLE ACCIDENT IX A SLATE QUARRY. — A youth named Evan Jones, aged 15, residing at the Yndrwll, Llanllyfni Mountain, was on Monday ac- cidentally killed whilst working at the Dorothea slate quarries, Nantlle vale. The deceased was en- gaged in the slate sawing shed, when he fell against some of the machinery which was in motion. The poor fellow's clothes became entangled in the belts, and he was terribly crushed against the pulley. Death was instantaneous. A SOLICITOR HEAVILY FINED.—Mr. Alun Lloyd a solicitor, practising at St. Asaph and Denbigh, was, at the St. Asaph Petty Sessions on Monday, summoned for having on six occasions practised as a solicitor without having a licence. Mr. Richard Farmer, solicitor, of Chester, and secretary of the North Wales Branch of the Incorporated Law Society, prosecuted, and the hearing of the cases occupied a considerable period. Eventually the defendant, who pleaded guilty, was fined £1 and costs on the first summons, £5 and costs on the second, £5 and costs on the third, and 10s. and costs on the fourth, fifth, and sixth. RACECOURSE THIEVES CAUGHT AND PUNISHED. On Monday at Wrexham, George Wilkinson was charged with attempting to pick pockets on Wrex- ham race-course on the previous Monday. Prisoner was found with his hand in the waistcoat pocket of a man named William Douglas, a smith, from Ches- ter. A number of previous convictions against the prisoner from various large towns were put in, and he was sentenced to three months' imprisonment. Alfred Connolly, alias Edward Murphy, of Liver- pool, was charged Iwith stealing a breastpin, the property of Llewelyn Hanmer, hairdresser, Ruabon. Prosecutor said that while the racing was going on he felt some one place an arm round his neck, and missed his breastpin. He believed it was the prisoner who had stolen it, and gave him into custody. Several police officers gave evidence, and the prisoner was sentenced to three months' im- prisonment. HOLYWELL UNIONIST CLUB.—The annual meet- ing of the Holywell Workingmen's Unionist Club was held on Monday night. The secretary sub- mitted a financial report, and also made reference to the work of the club in various matters. Mr. C. J. Croudace was re-elected president, and the other officers were also reappointed. THE RUTHIX WATER SUPPLY-.—The water famine, which has been seriously felt in Ruthin for some time, appears to continue, the water supplied bv the Water Company having been for some weeks turned on for short periods only each day. It is stated, however, that the water is more or less im- pregnated with vegetable organisms, and hardly safe for drinking purposes, In this emergency the Ruthin Soda Water Company, Limited have generously come to the aid of the town, having caused notices to be issued expressing their readiness to provide free of charge a supply from their famous Cambrian artesian spring, which throws up a perennial stream of pure water. 1 REFIEW BOWLING CLUB.—An interesting match was played on the Improvement Company's green on Saturday. The winners in the first heat were Messrs. J. Buchan, J. Johnson, Evan Williams, A. "V eitch, J. Lewis, H. Owen, and S. Rees; in the second heat Messrs. J. Johnson, Evan Williams, J. Lewis, and A. Veitch. The finals were played with great skill, the result being as follows:— -latpmr. -A*_JVeitch Evan. Williams. Two consolation prizes were won by David Williams and A. M. Pearce. The prizes consisted of lengths of tweeds and shirt flannel, and pairs of hose, given by Mr. Thomas Williams THE NORTH WALES TEMPERANCE ASSOCIATION. and the North Wales Women's Temperance Union are holding their annual meetings at Wrexham this week. According to the reports which have been submitted, the work of the organisations is hindered by lack of funds. At Tuesday's confer- ence a motion was adopted urging on the Govern- ment the importance of proceeding with its temperance legislation, and especially with the Direct Veto (Wales) Bill, which has passed the second reading on two different occasions. A WELSH GROCER'S BANKRUPTCY. — Some re- markable admissions were made on Tuesday in the Bankruptcy Court at Chester, by a Welsh grocer named John Wynne, who carried on business at Helendv, Mostyn. Owing to the reckless manner in which he had been in the habit of giving credit to colliers and others his book debts, it appeared, have been allowed to run up to £7,391 13s. 7d., and of this £5,484 12s. 9d. is set down as doubt- ful," and £1,906 10s. 7d. as "bad." The Deputy Official Receiver declared that it would be impossi- ble for the debts to realise more than £160 in anything like a reasonable period. The Registrar of the Court characterised the debtor's conduct as "madness, positive madness." LICENSING SESSIONS were held on Tuesday in various parts of North Wales. At Holywell the police objected to the renewal of two licenses on the ground of the unsuitability of the tenants and because the wants of the neighbourhood did not render the licenses necessary. In illustration of the latter point it was mentioned that with regard to the Grapes, one of the places objected to hat there were as many as 21 houses within a radius of 160 yards. The magistrates granted the re- newals, however, on the owners of the premises undertaking to provide new tenants. At the sessions for Menai Bridge and Beaumaris the magistrates postponed consideration of applications from several houses which were objected to by the police. At Llanwrst a renewal was refused to an applicant who had during the year been thrice con- victed of selling drink to persons who were drunk. THE WELSH SLATE TRADE.- During the month of July 8,234 tons of slates were JpKn Carnarvonshire, as compared with 5 693 tons for corresponding month of 1892. The total quantity shipped coring the July quarter was 23,291 tons, as against 20,799 tons for the eame quarter last year. 1 HOLYHEAD WATER SUPPLY. Holyhead is at present very madaquately supplied with water, and is threatened with a water famine, the supply only being equal to a few days. Some parts of the town have not had any water for several days past. he general outlook is very gloomy, and it is con- jectured that it the scarcity continues salt water will have to be condensed for drinking purposes. THE DISPUTE AMONGST WELSH PILOTS.- At the meeting of the Carnarvon Harbour Trust, Mr. Menzies (vice-chairman) reported that he and two sub-commissioners of pilots had visited Llanddwyn to inquire into the differences which were reported to exist amongst the pilots at that station. The committee found that the position of the men, from an official point of view, was anything but satisfactory, while their social relationship was even worse. The men had been individually called before the committee, and the duties of each carefully defined. Certain rules had also been drawn up for their guidance in future, and the pilots promised to abide by the same. The report was adopted. SHOCKING DEATH IN A LIME KILN.—An inquest was held at Llysfaen schools on Wednesday, touch- ing the death of Elias Davies, Fron Lark, Llysfaen, who was a furnace man at the lime kilns of Messrs. Kneesliaw, Lupton, and Company, and who met with a frightful accident on Sunday evening while putting fuel on the fire. It is supposed he closed one of the three dampers, whereby one of the arches burst and precipitated the deceased into the breach. Robert Davies was called, and identified the deceased as his father. John Phillips Faichney, manager at the limestone quarries and kilns, said a man was in charge of the kilns, whose duty it was to see that they were in working order. Witness was away at the time of the accident, but when he left them about a week ago they were all in good working order, and he supposed that de- ceased had, after lighting the kiln, shut the damper, which caused an extra pressure, and the expansion of gases at this particular point caused the arch to burst. Other evidence having been given, a verdict was returned of Accidental death."

HOME NE WS. Lord BELHAVEN died in Edinburgh on Wednes- day, his death being accelerated by a recently con- tracted chill. COMMITTED FOR )ILIRDER.Air. Monson, tenant of the Ardlamont Estate, who is accused of having caused the death of Mr. llambrough, was on Wednesday fully committed for trial on the capital charge. CONFESSION OF MURDER.—An ex-soldier named Lewis confessed to the police on Wednesday, that lie was the murderer of Mrs. Adams in a public- house in Limehouse in 1891, and added that after committing the crime he 'stabbed himself. KILLED BY A KICK FROM A Poxy.-An inquest was held by the Deputy-Coroner of Birmingham on Monday, on the body of Thomas Wolfendale (27), 231, Heneage Street. On Thursday morning deceased assisted other men to drive a pony, which had been grazing in a field at Washwood Heath, into a stable. After much difficulty the task was accomplished, and while deceased was attempting to put an halter on the pony it kicked him in the abdomen so severely that he died almost im- mediately. A verdict of Accidental death was recorded. ATTEMPT TO WRECK AN EXPRESS TRAIN—A daring attempt to wreck the West of England Midland express was perpetrated late on Saturday night at Newlay, a village near Leeds. The train was travelling in the direction of Leeds, when the passengers felt a sudden shock. Subsequent examination of the line showed that three heavy chairs had been ingeniously placed across the metals. One of the life-guards on the locomotive was smashed, but no serious damage was done. The scene of the outrage is only 440 yards from the place where a similar attempt was made about a fortnight ago. RAILWAY FATALITY AT BIRKENHEAD.—On Saturday afternoon a boy named James Diamond, aged eleven years, whose parents reside at Meadow- lane, Tranmere, met with his death under extra- ordinary circumstances. He was sitting on the roof of a building close to the Rock lane railway bridge, when he fell off and alighted on the railway line which runs beneath. A passenger train from Chester was approaching aud before anyone could go to the lad's assistance, he was run over, sustain- ing injuries which resulted in instantaneous death. Chas. Bott, a milkman, informed the police that he saw the lad on the building, and thinking it a dangerous position, he shouted to him to get down, when he fell. The body was removed to the Watson-street Mortuary. A TEETOTALLER'S WEAKNESS.—An inquest was held at Birmingham by the Deputy-Coroner (Mr. J. Ansell) on Monday afternoon on the body of Phillip Bowkett (28), 9, Ifigh Park Street, Neehells. Deceased was a general labourer, and up to a month ago was a very heavy drinker. Then he signed the pledge, and drank no intoxicants for a month but at the end of that time he resumed his old habits and was as intemperate as previously. When under the influence of drink deceased was strange in his manner, and on one occasion said he wished he was dead, as life was a misery to him. On Thursday he went home the worse for drink and said to his mother: I shall go away to-morrow, and you won't see me again." After she had gone to bed he hanged himself in the cellar, where lie was found by his mother on the following morning. The jury returned a verdict of Suicide while of unsound mind." A Boy BURGLAR WOUNDED.—At an early hour on Tuesday morning Luke Higgins, the landlord of the Victoria publIc-house, Hardman-street, :MaI. chester,was aroused by a noise in his kitchen. Taking a loaded revolver he went downstairs and found a man in hiding. He thereupon fired and seriously wounded a youth named Owen Riley, who had broken into the house. Riley was removed to the Royal Infirmary, and Higgins was arrested, and subsequently remanded, upon the charge of shooting Riley with intent to do him grievous bodily harm. MURDER • OF A POLICE INSPECTOR.A police inspector named Allan was murdered late on Mon- day night at Bishopbriggs, near Glasgow. The Inspectorand a constable named Pirie were arresting two men for attempting to rob a drunken man. Pirie secured his prisoner and hurried off to the station. When he returned he found Inspector Allan lying in the road, dead from loss of blood. The man whom he had seized had disappeared. Allan had been wounded in the left groin and in the back, the first wound severing the main artery. MR. LEONARD COURTNEY, M.T., speaking at Øf-the Goveraa ent and its supporters were unani^nong laying u?on the Opposition the charge they had prevented the Home Rule Bill being cons;(i ecl ti the usual way. On that charge the Opposition were not afraid to court the judgment of those with whom the judgment lay. The session had not been wasted. In it the people had been taught what Home Rule really was. So amendment had been proposed but had been serviceable in some way or other, but all their proposals to get real safeguards against injustice by the Irish Parliament had been rejected. The. consequence was that the Irish Parliament was proposed to be established with- out any of those safeguards which had been found necessary in the great American Constitution.

FOREIGN AND COLONIAL. CHILD MURDER.-Two persons, man and wife, have been arrested in Melbourne on the charge of having murdered two children who were entrusted to their care. UGANDA is reported to be in a peaceful condition, and although an outbreak was feared at Mengo, no disturbances have occurred there. It is stated that in the event of England abandoning Uganda the missionaries would not be withdrawn. CHOLERA ABROAD.— Further deaths from cholera are announced from various places i'1 the Nether- lands and Italy, while a fatal case has occured in Jersey City. The statement that the disease is raging in Holland with greater virulence than the authorities admit is denied. THE EMPEROR OF GERMANY, speaking at Coblenz on Saturday, expressed his heartleft wish for the welfare for the province and the hope that with fidelity and loyalty on both sides they might be permitted to go forward in their own allotted path for the welfare of the Rhineland and their German Fatherland. CAPITULATION OF SEDAN.—Saturday being the anniversary of the capitulation of Sedan, the Emperor William held a review near Treves, and received an enthusiastic ovation. THE CYCLONE IN AMERICA.—Later details regarding the effects of last week's cyclone in America give the number of lives lost in Beaufort County alone at a thousand, while the damage to property is incalculable. THE BELGIAN SENATE on Saturday adopted by a large majority the bill fixing the conditions of eligibility to the senate in the amended form as passed by the chamber. HURRICANE IN THE AZORES.—Great damage has been caused in the Azores by a hurricane, vessels being wrecked, the crops ruined, and a large number of houses demolished. THE RUSSIAN LANGUAGE.—It is announced from St. Petersburg that in furture the Russian language must be used in the tuition given at all the naval schools in the Baltic provinces, and that the em- ployers of the railway lines will have to undergo an examination in Russian. A BAND OF BRIGANDS has appeared in Bosnia under the leadership of an ex-gendarme. A semi- political motive appears to be at the bottom of the affair. EMIN PASHA,—Mr. A. J. Swann, of the London Missionary Society, who has'just returned from Central Africa to this country, has given Reuter's Agency a circumstantial account of the assassina- of Emin Pasha and his 30 Nubian followers. Having been cruelly murdered, their bodies were eaten by Arabs. A NIHILIST CONSPIRACY against the Czar has been discovered at Moscow, and 85 students, eight professors, and five ladies have been arrested. THE PREMIER OF VICTORIA, answering a question in the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, said that inquiries made by the Government showed that the rumours of an intended aggressive movement on the New Hebrides by France were groundless. No gold coinage existed in this country till the reign of Henry III. • up till then silver and brass were the only metals used for coinage. There is a very pretty practice which the Fish- mongers' Company have at the Court dinners. The ladies being absent from the feast, each guest on his departure is offered the acceptance of a hand- some casket of choice sweets to take home to his wife and family. The outside box serves for a workbox, and is for years a pleasant memento of the occasion.

LLANSANTFFRAID. FLOWER SHOW. The seventh exhibition of the Llansantffraid Horticultural and Industrial Society was held on Tuesday in the A illage Hall, a building admirably adapted for such a purpose. Around the sides and down the centre of the room were placed tables, which groaned under their loads of well arranged exhibits. The cottagers had come out strongly this year, and a marked improvement was seen in this division. Potatoes and onions were numerous, and the specimens were all shapely and clean. Apples made a splendid class, while the collections of vegetables contained well-developed plants of great variety. There was a lovely assortment of flowers, the many richly-coloured varieties of dahlias show- ing what a favourite this flower has again become among horticulturists. Table decorations reached a high pitch of perfection, and the wild flowers by children attracted considerable attention, Cyffin Jones, the Shop, showing upwards of 120 named flowers. Butter and loaves made a small class. Messrs. John Evans and Sons, of Llanymynech, showed a magnificent selection of ferns, palms, etc., and Mr. Williams of Maesbrook, and Mrs. Jones, the Shop, Llansantffraid, exhibited honey. The attendance, unfortunately, was not very large. Ir. H. H. Timm's band played an excellent selection of music during the afternoon, and after- wards for dancing in ail adjoining field. During the evening Mrs. Perrott, of Bronhyddon, distri- buted the prizes, and on the motion of Mr. F. F. Corballis, seconded by Mr. Jones, the station, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded her. The General Committee of the Societv consists of Mr. F. Corballis, Mr. John Davies, Mrs. Dorsett Evans, Miss M. U. Evans, Mr. Hughes, Gelli, Mrs. Leslie, Rev. T. Lloyd, Mrs. Lloyd, Dr. W. H. Lewis, Mr. lc Eldowney, Mrs. Perrott, Miss Perrott, and Mr. T. K. Perrott. The Committee of Management consists of Mr. F. Corballis, Mr. John Davies, Miss M. U. Evans, Mr. Hughes, Gelli, Mr. Jones, station- master, Dr. W. H. Lewis, Miss Leslie, Mr. McEldowney, Miss Perrott. Mr. T. K. Perrott, and Mr. John Lees; with Mr. Jones, stationmaster, treasurer, and Miss Leslie, secretarv. The judges were Hand bouquet, ladies' spray, and table decoration, Mrs. France and Mrs. Davidson; table decorations (wild flowers), Mr. J. Lomax button holes, Capt. Davidson, and Mr. F. Corballis produce, &c., Mr. Batchelor, Sodyllt. Among those present were Mrs. Perrott, the Misses Mary Perrott and Edith Perrott, Mr. R. Perrott, Mrs. Leslie, Miss Rose Leslie. Master David Leslie, Mrs. Dorsett Evans, Miss Katie Evans, Bod Gwilym, Miss Maggie Evans, Master Dorsett Evans, Mrs. Marshall Dugdale, Miss Slatter and the Misses Dugdale, Mr. J. Lomax, Miss Lomax, Mr. Simpson, Mr. Corballis, Mr. Hughes, the Misses Hanmer Jones, Mr. R. C.Jones, Mr. Kempster, Miss Phillips, Hendreboetli, Mrs. France, Captain Davidson, and Mrs. Davidson, Miss Jones, the Shop, etc. The following is the list of awards:- CLASS I. For cottagers in the parish of Llansaintffraid. Open to any, the rent of whose cottage and garden does not exceed R10 a year. Six early potatoes—1, Thomas Edwards, Old Mill; 2, Ellen Morris, Pentre; 3, John Davies, Quarry. Six late potatoes-1, Evan Hughes; 2, Thomas Edwards, Waen; 3, Jane Davies, Rose Cottage. Six onions 1, Edward Griffiths; 2, Thomas Edwards, Waen: 3, Thomas Edwards, Old Mill. Six carrots-1, John Davies, Quarry 2, Thomas Morris, Village; 3, John Davies, Trederwen Cot- tage. Twelve kidney beans—1, Mr. Jones, Railway- crossing; 2, Thomas Edwards, Waen; 3, Evan Hughes. Collection of vegetables (four) 1, Edward Griffiths; 2, John Davies, Quarry; 3, Mrs. Jones, Railway-crossing. Six dessert plums—1, John Davies, Trederwen; 2, Thomas Edwards, Waen; 3, Mrs. Jones, Railway-crossing. Six baking plums—1, Mrs. C. Morris; 2, John Davies; 3, Thomas Edwards, Old Mill. Six dessert apples -1, Jane Davies; 2, Ann Mason; 3, Elizabeth Williams. Six baking apples—1, Thos. Edwards, Old Mill; 2, John Davies, Trederwen; 3, Jane Davies, Rose-cottage. Window plant (single)—1, Mrs. Davies, Bryn Tanat; 2, Mary Edwards, Quarry; 3, John Davies, Tredcrwen-cottage. Fuchsia, window plant—1, Mrs. Breese; 2, E. Richards, Hall-cottage; 3, J. Davies. Geranium window plant-I, Ann Mason 2, Mary Edwards, Quarry; 3, Mary Morris. Collection of garden bowers—1, Jane Davies; 2, E. Richards. Collect- ion of cabbages—1, Mrs. Jones, Railway-crossing; 2, Thomas Edwards. Best cultivated and neatest garden—1, Fulward Qriffithg, Gelliv Home-made cottage loaf- 1, Thomas Edwards 2, Mary Salter; 3, il. itees. Hand-made man's shirt—1, Maria Jenkins; 2, A. Mason. Pair of women's plain knitted stockings—1 Jane Davies, Trederwen; 2, Mrs. Lee, Glanaber. Two lbs. of butter—1, Mrs. Maurice Evans. Collection of fruitl, Thomas Edwards; 2, Edward Griffiths. FOR CHILDREN IN THE PARISH. Collection of wild flowers correctly named by any child under, 16-1, N. Leslie; 2, .David Leslie; 3, H. Jones. Collection of wild grasses by children under 14-1, Cyffin Jones; 2, Tom Morris; 3, David Lestie. Six stitched button-holes for girls under 16-1, Margaret Lewis 2, Maggie Evans. Best arranged bouquet of wild flowers—1, Nancy Leslie 2, David Leslie 3. H. Jones. AMATEURS. Six potatoes—1, E. Lloyd. Six carrots, 1, S. Lawford. Six onions—1, Martin Lawford. Two cucumbers—1, George Kempster. Vegetable mar- row—1, Dr. Lewis. Collection of six vegetables—1, Edward Lloyd, Waen Llys. Six asters—1, Martin Lawford 2, Dr. Lewis. Four stocks, spikes—1, Dr. Lewis; 2, G. Kempster. Six pansies—1, Martin Lawford; 2, Dr. Lewis. Six roses—1, Martin Lawford 2, John Jeffreys. Twelve double dahlias — 1, H. Jones, Lion Inn. Twelve single dahlias— I, Martin Lawford. Six geraniums, single blooms 1, Miss M. U. Evans; 2 Martin Lawford. Six marigolds 1, John Jeffreys. Best window plant- ward Lloyd; 2, John Jeffrevs. Collection of garden flowers—1, John Jeffreys'. Window plant -1, J. Jeffreys. Six carnations-I, :Iartin Law- ford. Hand bouquet—1, John Jeffrevs. Wild flower Iland bouquet—1, Miss E. A. Dugdale 2, W. F. Griffiths. 1 .1 N ?PEX T0 GENERAL COMPETITION. jS°?, °« Six vegetables—1, E. Bucklev, Milford Hall; 2, Mrs. Leslie. Six asters-1, K. Buckley; 2, Mrs. M. Dugdale. Four stocks—1, Miss Leslie; 2 E. Buckley. Six pansies-l, Mrs. Marshall Dugdale 2, Miss Leslie. Six trusses of roses-1, E. Buckley. Eight roses—1, E. Buckley 2, Miss Leslie. Six geraniums—1, E. Buckley. Six carnations-l E. Buckley. Twelve double dalilias-1, E. Buckley; 2, Mrs. M. Dugdale. Six Marigolds 1, E. Buckley 2, Mrs. Marshall Dug- dale. Six zinnias-I, Mrs. M. Dugdale 2, E. Buckley. Collection of border annuals-I, Mrs. M. Dugdale. Collection of border perennials 1, Mrs. Marshall Dugdale; 2, Mrs. J. Lomax. Lady's Flower button-hole 1, Miss Slatter 2 E Buckley. Three gentlemen's flower button-holes—i Mr. E. Buckley; 2, Miss Jones; 3, Mrs. W. H. Leslie. Gentleman's flower button-hole. 1 E Buckley; 2, J. Lomax; 3, Miss Slatter. Dinner table decoration of wild flowers-I, Miss Slatter; 2, Miss Mary Perrott; 3, Mrs. Felix Jones. Dinner table decoration—1, J. Lomax; 2, Mrs. Felix Jones; 3, Miss M. U. Evans; 4, Miss Leslie. Extra prize, best 21bs. of butter—1, Mrs. Evans, Smithy; 2, Miss M. U. Evans, Penymaes.

—— EXTRAORDINARY MUSHROOM CROPS. A SPECIAL TRAIN FROM WALES. Some of the WTelsh farmers, having safely secured their grain, are turning their attention to a second and even more profitable crop, viz., mushrooms. These are so productive, that in Merionethshire, around Pwllheli and district, the agents of the wholesale dealers are offering the pickers a half- penny per pound. On Tuesday night the Cambrian Railway Company irom Atonwen Junction, and the North Western Railway Company from Anglesey, brought to Bangor station such large consignments that a special train of five trucks, packed to excess, had to be despatched to Liverpool and Manchester, while a sixth truck which remained was taken to Birmingham by the night mail. The latter alone contained some hundreds of sieves weighing about three pounds each. The wholesale houses supply the pickers with sieves in which strawberries are packed in the season. The railway company are utilising milk vans for the unusual traffic. Travel- lers along the Cambrian Railway observe that the old pastures are dotted all over with mushrooms, and the picking gives employment to a great num- ber of persons in Merionethshire alone. The crop is, however, just as good in Anglesey and Carnar- vonshire.

«- It has been calculated that, including every out- door sport (even such games as golf, or knurr and spell), about seven million pounds are expended yearly in the United Kingdom on open-air amuse- ment. The manufacturers of implements used in games, and the number of persons professionaliy in outdoor sports, number, together, about 100,000.

LLANDRINIO. HARVEST is quite completed here. It is proposed that the thanksgiving services he oil Sunday next. &uch an early harvest has not been known here for twenty years.

LLANGYNIEW. AGRICULTURAL PROSPECTS.—In the parishes of Llaugyniew, Llanfihangel and district the hav crops were very light. The corn crops were not'heavv, the best being on the high and damp lands. On the whole fodder will be very scarce in the coming winter; most places have not more than half the usual crops. The turnip crops again are very irregular, but some good fields are to be seen, and as we depend a great deal on the root crop this will be a great loss to us. Several fields were sown last month, some with common turnips, the others with vetches or rye; these crops may come useful for sheep in the spring. Unless rain comes soon it will be serious as many have now to drive the cattle over a mile for water and the grass is very dry and short.

OSWESTRY. Towx COUNCIL.—The monthly meeting of the Council took place on Monday, Mr. George Owen, the deputy mayor, presiding. The amount for the water rate for the half-year was fixed at Is. 8d. in the zE. It was agreed, on the recommendation of the sub-committee with regard to the opening of the municipal buildings, that the Mayor, Mr. A. Wynne Corrie, should be presented with the free- dom of the borough on that occasion, and with an address enclosed in a silver casket. An official invitation is to be given to the Earl of Powis to open the municipal buildings and that he be presented with a gold key. The Council decided to send a strong representation to the directors of the Great Western Railway pointing out the delay caused by the trains on the branch line to Gobowen of from 10 to 51 minutes, and the injury done thbrebv to the trade of the town; also the dirty condition of the caiTiages on the branch, the delay of trains on the Llangollen line, and the want of sufficient covering at Gobowen Station. The appointment of a new governor for Oswestry Grammar School, in place of the late Mr. Alderman Parry, was then proceeded with, and Mr. Alderman Bailey was elected unani- mously to the post.

LLANFYLLIN. ERROR.— In our last week's issue it was stated that at the County Petty Sessions all the licences in the Llanfyllin Division were renewed. It should have been that they were all renewed with the exception of one, which was held over for a month pending the hearing of a case. BOROUGH PETTY SESSIONS.-Before C. R. Jones Esq.,and T. Jones, Esq. (Mayor). D.C.C.Crowden, in making his annual report to the magistrates of the Petty Sessions Division, Llanfyllin Borough, said: l' I have the honour to report for your information that there arc 13 fully-licensed houses and one wine licence in the borough. During the last 12 months there were 28 cases of drunkenness brought before this court and convicted. This shews a decrease of 6 compared with last year. All the houses have been satisfactorily conducted with the exception of those marked on the annexed list."—All the licences were renewed and the licence of the Old Cross Keys was transferred from Mrs. Roberts to John Roberts.Tlle application of Richard Evans for a retail licence was granted upon his undertaking not to sell less than a dozen bottles of beer at a time. He already held a wholesale licence.—Mr. C. It. Jones drew the attention of the licence holders to the resolution passed at a recent meeting of the Montgomeryshire Standing Joint Committee with reference to supplying drink to the inebriated.

LLANDYSILIO. BREWSTER SESSIONS, SATURDAY.—Before Capt. Mytton (chairman), and T. Pryce, Esq. Licensing.—Deputy Chief Constable Crowden re- ported that there were 16 fully licensed houses in the division and one off-licence. All the houses had been satisfactorily couducted during the year and there was no objection to the renewal of any licence. During the year 12 persons had been summoned before that Court for drunkenness, being the same number as in the previous year.—Capt. Mytton, addressing the publicans, said there was no doubt men were supplied with intoxicating liquor when under the influence of drink and that they were supplied with drink by the publicans. Serious responsibility rested upon those persons, and the Standing Joint Committee had decided to take severe steps against any publican who was found to have on his premises any person while under the influence of drink. The cases were very hard to prove but the police had been instructed to act with more strictness. Capt. Mytton then read the order of the Joint Committee referring to this matter, and said he was glad the Deputy Chief Constable had reported favourably of the houses in the neighbour- hood, and the licences would be granted with the exception of the Horse Shoe Inn, Cefn-y-Coed, and this case would be adjourned until the next Sessions. All the licences with this exception were then granted. Drunk.—Thomas Williams, of Carreghofa Mill, carter, was charged with being drunk in charge of a horse and cart with a load of corn on Julv 26th opposite the Police Station.—P.C. Lewis said defen- dant was riding on the load. and was "staggering" drunk. There was another man with him, who was also drunk. He went with the cart to Llanymynech. Mr. H. L. Steele, Llandysilio, corroborated.-Fined 12s. 6d. including costs.—George Griffiths, labourer, Llanymynech, charged by P.C. Lewis with being drunk and wanting to fight, was fined 12s. 6d. in" eluding costs. P.C. Lewis charged Samuel Davies, Top Llansantffraid, with being drunk on August 5th. Davies, who is an old man, said he was sorrv he was found drunk. Defendant was convicted," but forgiven, with a caution to beware of his friends." Astray.Elizabeth Jones, Arddleen, was charged with allowing a sow to stray on the highway and fined 7s. 6d. including costs. Ansa ult. Henry Fox, of Coedway, labourer, was charged by Thomas Dorricott, of the same place, with assaulting him on July 19th.-Complainant said he was in his own yard, when defendant came and asked him to go and have a drink, and when he had gone out struck him, and assaulted him, knocking him. Mary Evans, of Coedway, corrobor- ated, and Fox was fined 15s. including costs.—Mary Evans said that whenever any of them went out of the house they were shouted "after by Fox's child- ren. The Clerk said she knew the way to go about it. If she had a complaint against anybody she should ask for them to be bound over to keep the peace.

BERRIEW. PETTY SESSIONS, Saturday.—Before Major Cor- bett Winder, A. Howell, Esq., and Capt Johnes.— P.C. Davies charged Edward Evans, Pied House, Berriew, with riding without reins.—Fined 10s. including costs.—Mr. R. Tomley, Montgomery, charged David Davies, Half- way House, blacksmith, and William Lloyd, Fron, Berriew, with neglecting to send their children to school regularly. Orders were made in each case.—This being the annual licensing meeting Deputy Chief Constable Crowden presented his report, in which he stated that there were six persons licensed to sell all kinds of intoxi- cating liquors on or off the premises in the division and one off licence. All the houses had been satisfactorily conducted during the year, and there was no objection to the renewal of any of the licences. During the year 17 persons had been summoned for drunkenness and 17 convicted, being an increase of 9 as compared with last year.—The resolution passed by the Standing Joint Com- mittee was read by the Clerk.—All the licences were renewed.

MEIFOD. SALE OF PROPERTY.—Messrs Morris, Marshall and Poole offered for sale at the Lion Hotel, Meifod, the property known as Rhosy Glascoed, comprising 30 acres of land, with house and outbuildings. Mr. W. H. Hill, on behalf of Mr. S. S. Lloyd, was the buyer, and the price was X625.

DOLFOR. INTERESTING FACT.—In the obituary column of the Gentleman's Magazine for the year 1785 occurs the follcwing interesting notice November, 1785. Mr. Smith, a farmer at Dolver in Mont- gomeryshire, (died) aged 103, who was never known to drink anything but butter-milk." THE HARVEST FESTIVAL will be held as per advertisement, on Friday, the 22nd instant. The preacher will be the Rev. Prebendary David Williams, M.A., of St. David's Cathedral, and Vicar of Holy Trinity, Aberystwyth. The object for which the offertories will be applied is the hot air warming apparatus, which is about to be placed in the church. We trust that the parishioners and friends will do their best to enable the Vicar and Churchwardens to defray the cost at the festival.

MACHYNLLETH. THE RECENT AGRICULTURAL AND FLOWER SHOW. --The following letter has been received by Mr. R. Gillart, one of the honorary secretaries of the recent show, and Whose labours contributed So largely to the success of the exhibition. As an expression of the general satisfaction which is felt at the admirable way in which the show was carried out, the letter, coming as it docs from one of the judges, is particularly welcome. It is as follows :— Dolmelynllyn, Dolgelly, N. Wales, 26tli August, 1893. Dear Sir, I cannot refrain from congratula- ting the committee and secretaries on the success of the show yesterday. I have been present at many similar meetings and I know of none where the details were so carefully considered, and so well carried out. The exhibits in the way of horses were far above the average, indeed the turn-outs' in harness would bear favourable comparison with some of the best shows in England. I hope the results financially were equally successful. Believe me, sincerely yours, C. R. WILLIAMS. We can state, on authority, that the hope expressed by the writer of the letter has been thoroughly realised, and that the show in every way proved a, gratifying success.

MACHYNLLETH BREWSTER SESSIONS. WEDNESDAY. Before the Rev Kirkham, Major Bonsall, and Mr. J. Evans-Jones. At these annual Licensing Sessions Supt. Crow- den (Deputy Chief Constable of the county) pre- sented his report. There were, he said, 22 fully licensed houses in the Division, and 2 off licences. During the year 39 persons were brought before the court for drunkenness, an increase of 14 as compared with the previous twelve months. The whole of the licensed houses had been satisfactorily conducted, and there were no objections to the holders of the licences. -The Bench granted the whole of the renewals. The Clerk to the Justices (Mr. David Evans) read the resolution passed by the Joint Committee of the County Council at Welshpool instructing the police to prosecute publicans sup- plying intoxicated persons with drink.

PETTY SESSIONS. DRUNKENNESS. Before the same magistrates. -E. Jones, Blaen- y-pant, was fined Is. and costs for being drunk and disorderly. HIiz. Williams, Wesley-lane, charged with the same offence, was ordered to pay 5s. including costs. ASTRAY. Margaret Vaughan, hawker, Graigfach, was fined 10s., including costs, for allowing a mule to stray on the highway. The whole of these cases were proved by P.C. Owen. A WELSHPOOL MAN IN TROUBLE. Absalom Evans, of Welshpool, was summoned by P.C. Owen for furiously riding a horse. The case was proved to the satisfaction of the Bench, and the defendant was fined £ 1, including costs. ANOTHER DRUNK. Rowland Jones, farm servant, of Abergwybedyn, was fined Is. and costs, on the information of P.C. Rowlands, of Cemmes, for being the worse for liquor, and behaving disorderly. The same defen- dant was also summoned by Owen Malcolm Xichol- son, station master at Dinas Mawddwy, for using abusive language. One sovereign, including costs, was the price defendant had to pay for his little diversion. A SCENE IN COURT. Annie Roberts, of Brynglas Tafol. Cemmes, sum- moned David Humphreys, Dolcorsllwyn Hall, to shew cause why he should not be adjudged the father of her illegitimate child. The case was heard at the last Petty Sessions and was dismissed, but additional evidence was heard now.—Mr. Mar- tin Woosnam (Newtown) was for the complainant, and Mr. W. P. Owen (Aberystwyth) for the defen- dant. Amongst the witnesses on the present occasion was a young man who fainted whilst under cress- examination. Sergt. Hamer, assisted by several constables, took the young man to a back room and the usual remedies were applied. In the meantime, considerable excitement had been caused in court by the incident. Eventually the witness revived and was conveyed home.—The case resulted in the defendant being ordered to contribute 2s. per week towards the support of the child of which he was, in the opinion of the Bench, the father.

6 ABERHAFESP. HARVEST THANKSGIVING.—Owing to an ex- ceptionally early harvest, the thanksgiving in this parish took place last last Sunday, and both services were well attended, especially the evening one when the church was quite full. The edifice was very nicely decorated; in fact, it is rarely one sees so much taste displayed as was on this occasion. The decorations were carried out by Mrs. Proctor,Mrs. Ricardo and the Misses Ricardo (3), assisted by the Rev. E. T. M. Evans, and the Misses Parke (2). The sermon at the morning service was preached by the Rev. E. T. M. Evans and in the evening by the Rev. E. A. Fishbourne, rector of Newtown. The collections were in aid of the Montgomeryshire Infirmary, an institution that is of great value to the poor and those that meet with accidents.

+. TERRIBLE FIRE IN LONDON. A terrible fire, resulting in the loss of five lives, occurred shortly after seven o'clock on Monday morning, on the premises of Mr. C. A. Wale, grocer and oilman, 62, Fulham Palace Road, London, S.W. A conductor in the employ of the Road Car Com- pany, on the way to his business about five or ten minutes past seven, saw smoke issuing from be- neath the door of the shop, and he immediately informed a police-constable, and rang a fire alarm which is situated only a short distance from Mr. Wale's shop. In a very short space of time the shop was completely enveloped in flames, and the escape of the inmates by way of the usual exits completely cut off. Mr. Wale was seen to appear at the top floor window with two children in his arms, but he became exhausted and lost his hold of the children, and fell across the window ledge, his body being inside the room. A gallant attempt to rescue him was made by a Mr. Alford Wilmott, of 108, Lillie Road, who was one of the spectators. He, with the aid of two constables, placed a ladder up to the window, but, owing to the flames, they were unable to reach the body, which could be seen —the clothes and hair still burning-by the horri- fied spectators beneath. Mrs. Wale, with two children, jumped from the second floor window to the pavement, and though she was only slightly injured, both the children were terribly hurt. The fire brigade from Hammersmith arrived on the scene within a couple of minutes of the call, but owing to the inflammable character of the material in the shop the fire had by this time almost com- pletely burnt the front of the building out. The men quickly got to work, but it was some time before they could venture upstairs, where the remaining bodies were known to be. A shocking sight met the men's view on entering the room from which Wale had attempted to escape. His body was still lying across the window sill, but the face and head were burnt beyond recognition, and his flesh was so charred that it came away in the firemen's hands when they lifted the body. On the floor of the room were two other dead bodies, both of which were without clothing and had evidently been snatched from their beds. In the room adjoining were also discovered the bodies of a boy and girl, and from their position it was evident that they had attempted to make their escape by way of the staircase. Mrs. Wale, who is only slightly injured, stated that her husband rose about six o'clock and was making a cup of tea for her, as usual, in the kitchen, when she heard him shout up the stairs Get up at once; the house is on fire." She then heard him moving about as if trying to extinguish it. He, however, stopped suddenly, and rushed upstairs past her room to the children's bedroom. There were four children sleeping up- stairs and two in her room. She took the baby and her other child and first attempted to escape by the staircase, but by the time she got to the door her own room was alight. She then rushed to the window and jumped on to the leads above the shop, whence she was rescued by the police. The names of the dead are Mr. C. A. Wale, aged 42; Edith Caroline, eldest daughter, aged 18; Ethel Marian, aged seven; Frank Stanley, aged three; and Edward, aged five. The two girls Edith and Amy Wale were rescued by their mother, and are both in the West London Hospital. The former is not expected to live, but Amy is only slightly injured. The cause of the fire has not yet been ascertained, though it is supposed to have occurred owing to a naked light being brought into contact with flying vapour from the oil-cans in the shop. The staircase to the bed-rooms led down to the shop door, and to this fact is evidently due the great loss of life.