The Glamorgan Gazette

SKiDUEND POLICE COURT. Saturday.—Before Messrs. R. W. Llewellyn (in the chair), W. Llewellyn. J. I. D. Nicholl, R. L. Knight, W. Howell, E. David, J. P. Gibbon, and D. H. Price. A HAPPY NEW YEAR. Alderman T. J. Hughes, on behalf of him- self and colleagues, wished their Worships a Happy New Year. He remarked that this waR the 20th or 21st time that he had been privileged to do this. The Chairman I am sure we reciprocate the wish. UNDUTIFUL SONS. William Lewis, 82 Rope Walk. LI a nelly, was summoned for neglecting to contribute- towards the maintenance of his mother, who is chargeable to the common fund of the Bridgend and Cowhridee Union.—Relieving Officer Evan Evans stated that on November 4th. 1905, defendant was ordered to contri- bute Is. 6d. per week, and the arrears now amounted to -61 14s. 6d.—Defendant, who did not appear, was sentenced vo 14 days' impri- sonment. suspended seven days. According to the evidence of the relieving officer, David Thomas. Brithdir-cottages, Maestes. owed £2 12s. under an order of the magistrates to contribute 2s. a week towards the support of his parent. The order was made in 1889, and since then Thomas had gone to prison eight or nine times.—Fourteen dayS" imprisonment, suspended 14. A CAERAU DESERTER. William Henry Kees, formerly of 28 Met- calfe-street. Caerau, a collier, was charged with deserting his wife and three children on July 27th. Relieving Officer William David said the wife and children became chargeable to the Guardians on August 17th; their mainten- ance having cost the Union JG6 4s. 6d. The defendant, who had not communicated with the Guardians, had deserted his wife and family twice before, having served two ternio of imprisonment in April. 1904, and October, 1905. Defendant: 1 came home in Septomber*and offered to pay you then. The Officer: You said you would repay the Guardians. Didn't I offer you a sovereign that day? — No; you tendered no money. Defendant: I intended to pay it. The reason I went away was because one of the children was always staving with my wife's sister. I wanted to keep the children at home together. The Clerk (Mr. S. H. Stockwood): That i, no reason why the public should nay fo'r the maintenance of your wife and children. Defendant: I am willing to pay the money now. The Clerk: Now ? Defendant: Not at this present- moment, I mean. Rees was sentenced to six weeks' imprison- ment. THE WYNDHAM HOTEL. An application was made for the temporary- transfer" of the license of the Wyndham Hotel. Bridriend, from Mrs. Ann Jones- Griffiths to William Ford. formerly of 59 Cemetery-road, Ponxypridd. Alderman T. J. Hughes supported the ap- plication for the out-going tenant, and Mr. H. J. Randall, junr., appeared for Foicl. The Bench were satisfied with Ford's testi- monials, and granted the transfer. A VICTIM TO CHRISTMAS CHEER. TICKETLESS TRAVELLERS EXCUSE. Charged with travelling on the Great Wes- tern Railway at Bridgend on Boxing Day without having paid his fare and with intent to avoid payment. Thomas Stephens, of Aber- avon, pleaded gunty. James E. Jenkins, ticket collector, said he found defendant in the 9.27 a.m. up train, and, as he failed to produce a ticket, he was removed from the train. He stated at first that he had got into the train at Bridgend, but he subsequentlv admitted travelling from Port Talbot without a ticket, as he had no money. Defendant was sober. Defendant: I have no doubt he is telling the truth, except in one respect—I was not sober. I am sorry to say it Boxing Day and I hed taken more than I have been accustomed to. £1 was the penalty imposed. PATERNITY ORDER DISOBEYED. Thomas Madren, formerly of Marias-road, Pyle, who was arrested at Maesycwmmer, was brought up in custody charged with disobey- ing an order of the magistrates to contribute 3s. a wee-k towards the support of the child of Mrs. Catherine Alary Beach (nee Cox), now residing at Aberkenfig. Complainant said the order was made in November, 1903, but the prisoner had not paid her a penny. Supt. Davis said prisoner was committed for two months last June. Prisoner I intended paying the money. only I met with an accident at the pit. I have a wife and family to keep now. The Bench sentenced him to one month's imprisonment, suspending it for a fortnight to give him an opportunity to pay. AN UNMANAGEABLE TONDU BOY. James Williams, aged 13. stood stolidly at the solicitors' table and listened with com- plete nonchalance while his father. David Williams, a mechanic, of Tondu, repeated his delinquencies to the magistrates. The father said the lad had become quite unmanageable. He slept out at night, and was given to truanting. Witness had had to fetch him from Forth, Barry, and other places, losing his work to do so. Only that morning he was fetched from his work with the message that the boy had gone off again, and he caught him tramping across Bryncoch Common "with a bundle under his arm like a tramp." The father asked the magistrates to make an order sending the boy to an indus- trial school. Supt. Davis said the boy had been brought to the Polices-station at Bridgend and' given a good talking to, but it did not seem to have any effect. The Chairman Is he kindly treated at nome, ? Inspector Evans: Yes, sir. The Bench decided to send the boy to an in- dustrial school' for three years. He was re- manded to the Workhouse for a week to en- able enquiries to be made respecting a school. MISCELLANEOUS CASES. For being drunk and disorderly, Hugh Roberts. Caerau, labourer, was fined 1.5s. Elizabeth Be.van, Bridgend, married, 15s. Albert JUkfS. Ogmore Yale, collier, 20s. John Davies, Aberkenfig. shop assistant, 15s; David Williams, Blaengarw, labourer, 30s. or 10 days.—Peter Phillips, Maesteg, collier, had to pay 10s. for being tfrunk. The following were summoned for using im- proper language:—Lewis Richards, Maesteg, collier, fined 15s. David James, Blaengarw. oollier, 15s.; Amos Carpenter, Blaengarw, collier, 15s. William John Davies, Blaen- garw, collier, 20s. For driving without lights, Lewis Williams. a Caerau haulier, was mulcted in 10s. William Parry, Caerau, haulier, had to pay 10s. for committing a nuisance. Leonard Chamberlain. Bridgend, hawker, was summoned for neglecting to take out licenses for two dogs. Defendant stated that one of the dogs was a puppy, but Sergt. David said: it was a full-grown greyhound—twelve months old at least. A fbe of £ 1—10s. in each case—was imposed. John Edwards, licensee of the New House, Corneilly, applied for one hour's extension on the occasion of the annual ploughing match.— Granted. On the application of Albert Jenkins, agent to Messrs. Williams and Co.. butchers, Ble-n- goarw. an ejectment, order, to take effect in 21 days, was issued against Edward Russell. The Strand, Blaengarw.—A similar order was made against Jenkin Williams. Ogmore-ter- raoe, Bryncethin, on the application of Mrs. Jane Davies, London House, Bryncethin, for whom Akterrnan T. J. Hughes appeared. Richard Jenkins. Rose Cottage, Heol.vcue, was granted a vaccination exemption certifi- cate in respect to his child.

Fishguard and Atlantic Mails There was a strong rumour in London on Monday that the Cunard oteamship Com- pany, the owners of the Lu<itania and Mauretania had decided to make Fishguard a port of call for mails. It is doubtful whether sr. oh. a change can be made without Government authority, but that, of course, may have been obtained. The rumour had an influence on Great Western- Stock, which I opened at 123 and went up to ■

SHOP BREAKING AT BRIDGEND. THE ATTACK ON A TONDU POLICEMAN. THEFTS AT MAESTEG. The Epiphany Quarter Sessions for Gla- morgan were opened at Cardiff on Tuesday (before Mr. O. H. Jones, Fonmon Castle, chairman, Mr. Herbert Lloyd, vice-chairman, and other magistrates). There were twenty cases on the. calendar for trial. The Chairman, in charging the grand jury, said they would not have a very heavy task, as there were only seventeen Prisoners. Most of the cases to come before them were of the ordinary kind. Tlieio were only two cases about which he need say anything special. One was a case where a man named Nuttyeombe was charged with using certain premises for the purpose of betting. The Betting Act made 1(" a criminal offence to use any place for the purpose of making bets. Questions of law might arise1 on the trial, but that did not concern the grand jury, who would simply have to consider the evidence placed before them. The only other case was that of a couple named George Caveif and Jane Caveil, who were charged with neglecting a little boy named Lionel Hopkins, thirteen years old. In this case he thought, after hearing the evidence, they would have no difficulty in returning a true bill. The Clerk 1\1, Mansei Franklen) reported that the Licensing Committee recommended the Court to levy the maximum charges under the Licensing Act, 1904, for the year 1908, and the Court adopted the recommendation. COMPENSATION FUNDS LOW. The Clerk also reported that at a meeting of the County Licensing Committee on the loth of October the amount standing to the credit of the compensation fund, afier allow- ing for the cheques that had not yet been presented for payment, was £ 136 18s. 4dv and that the amount that might be expected to be received from the Inland Revenue Com- missioners in respect of the year 1907 would' not exceed £ 2-4,3lhJ.—The Committee considered the order in which the payment of compensation for this year should be issued, and decided that the order in which the houses stood should be varied by post- poning the houses in Merthyr Bo-rough until the fund was sufficient to pay the whole of the compensation, awarded. SHOPBREAKING AT BRIDGEND. John Ryan (34), labourer, pleaded guilty to breaking and entering the shop of the Star Supply Company, and stealing a quantity of biscuits and orange wine, and the shop of David Williams, Bridgend. The offences were alleged to have been committed on November 19th and 20th last. and' the arrest of the prisoner was cleverly effected by Fblicc-Sergeant William David, of Bridgend, who stated that Ryan was wear- ing kid gloves at the time, which gave him an outward appearance of respectability. Mr. Herbert Lloyd (the vice-chairman) passed, a sentence of twelve: months' imprison- ment on. each indictment, the sentences to run concurrently. STRUCK WITH SLED G E-IIA-ALIIEER. William Evans (2), collier, pleaded not guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm on P.C. Thomas Lloyd on the high road near Tondu on November 4th. Mr. St. John Francis Williams prosecuted, and Mr. C. Lawrence (instructed by Mr. Tom Phillips, of Pontypridd) defended. According to the evidence, it was about 3 o'clock in the after- noon when P.C. L'loyd met the prisoner and his two brothers, Robert and Henry. Pri- soner was sober, but the other two were drunk, quarrelsome, and noisy. The con- stable attempted to arrest Robert Evans, whereupon the latter's brother Henry intin- ferred, and the prisoner aimed a blow at the officer's head with a sledge hammer, but it partly missed, the hammer damaging Lloyd's belt and bruising his hip. In. the. course of the subsequent struggle civilians went to the rescue of the policeman. Robert and Henry Evans were at the Police-court ordered six weeks' hard labour for the assault, but Wm. Evans was committed' for trial. The jury now found prisoner guilty of com- mon assault, and a sentence of two calendar moiiuhs; hard labour was passed. MAESTEG PRISONER'S PLEADING. Daniel Lane (44), labourer, was found guilty of stealing six flannel shirts, the pro- perty of Messrs. Joseph and Co., Commercial- street, Matsteg, on. November 2nd last. The. articles were hung out at the prosecutors' shop in the morning and were there all day, but were found missing in the evening. Prisoner was found OJ.) the prosecutors' mana- ge-r with the shirts under his coat. When arrested the prisoner said, "That's all right; good enough." Asked why sentence should not be passed upon him, prisoner replied, There seems to be no law for the likes of me. To send men like me to the Sessions for a petty larceny such as this is only to convince any gentle- man of the jury that I was guilty." The Chairman asked him what he meant, and he replied that the fact of his being sent to Quarter Sessions for such an offence was enough to get him convicted. He could see from the first he would have1 no sym- pathy from the jury. The police seated that prisoner had worked fairly regularly since his last conviction. He was now sent to prison for two months' with hard labour. OVERCOAT AND DEAD RABBITS. Charles, Warren (2o), labourer, pleaded guilty to stealing a gentleman's overcoat, the property of Messrs. E. Lovett and Co., Maesteg, on November 9th. He also pleaded, guilty to stealing two dead rabbits from an- other shop at Maesteg. ne was sentenced to six months.

G.W.R.'s New Turbine. The new turbine, St. Andrew, has been successfully launched at the shipbuilding works of Messrs. John Brown and Co., Clyde Bank. This will be the fourth of the latest 21-knot Great Western Railway Company's steamers running between, Fishguard and Ire- land.

Hon. Ivor Guest in Motor Accident. The Hon. Ivor Guest, M.P., and his wife had an exciting experience while motoring in North Staffordshire. They were on their way to Chester, and had to pass the level- crossing at Weston Railway Station. The crossing gates were closed to allow a Man- chester-to-London express to pass. The road at the approach to the crossing takes a sharp turn, and the motorists were not aware that the way was barred until they were close to ( the line. The brakes were quickly applied', but the car dashed into the gates with con- sid*rable force. The gates were badly smashed, and the car was completely wrecked, but the occupants escaped without serious in- jury. The signal1 for the express was put at danger just in time to stop the train, which was delayed outside the station until the- line was cleared. The curve near the dressing is a dangerous one, and many accidents have occurred there. The Hon. Ivor Guest, M.P., and Mrs. Guest are tlm guests of the Duke and Duchess of Westminster at Eaton Hall, Chester. On inquiry at the hall on Saturday a correspon- dent was informed that they had sustained no injuries, and had spent the day with the Cheshire Hounds.

I I IfHrARCHERaCsnp piisiKi ->>3 REGSST £ ^ED I rcu-sim ic of One Ounce Packet. I Metursis r:a Pect10:i f rp Toba.cC:.11 | PejfwtJon nt Tobacco. ) If you have any difficulty in securing the "Gazette," write to the Head Office.

FCX HUNTING. THE GLAMORGAN HOUNDS. This pack met on Friday at Culverwell House, Cross-roads, at which there was a large muster, amongst those present being the master (Colonel Homfray), The Mackintosh of Mackintosh and .HS. Mackintosh, The Cot- terell; Mr. Ivor Williams, Dutfryn Erwd; Miss Thackeray, Glan Ely; Mr. and Mrs. Hastings Watson, Eagans; General Wat- son and party, Pontyclnn; Mr. and Miss Wil- iiams, Miskin Manor; Mr. and Mrs. Walter Shirley, Mr. Shirley, junr., and Miss Shirley, The Woodlands; Captain Lionel Lindsav, Cardiff; M-r. H. Watson Mr. W. E. 0. Wilr liams, Mr Duncan, Llandafi Captain Fisher, Miss Fisher, Mr. Oa.kden Fisher, and Mr. Herbert Fisher, Rady r Mr. Charles Williams and son, The Heath; Mr. Robert Williams. Mr. Œa.due Williams. Roath Court; Mr. and Mrs. Vivian Thomas. Mwyndy; Mr. and Mrs. Bruce, Tal Mawr; Mr. and Mrs. Brain; Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Williams, Bonvilstone; Mr. and Mrs. Brain, Cburtyrala Miss Mor- gan, Hendrescythan Mr. Edgar David, Mr. David, junr., Fairwater • M'r. Williams, St. Donats Castile; Mr. Jones (Caradoc), Ponty- pridd; Mrs. W. J. Tatem, Red House; M. Gunn, St. Melons; .1í[T. Lucovieh, Tyn-y- parc; Mr. W. Blake, Ccgan Hall; Captain Evans, Mr. T. D. John, Mr. Eddie Thomas. Mr. Stewart, M.R.C.V.S., Mr. J. Richard Thomas, Cardiff: Mr. Winslow, Ely. The master drew over to the big wood above Llanmaes Farm. Here foxes were plentiful, bretaking away a brace at a time, but scent was bad with a cutting easterly wind, so that Cox had difficulties to contend with. How- ever a brace was viewed1 going away down in the bottom over Mr. Howell's sale ground, followed by a couple of hounds which quickly got on the line of one of them, and was chopped by the pack turning up just at the right time. They next drew the surround- ing coverts on to St. George's, and reaching Coedrirfan they started another, which gave the field some fine sport on to the Cotterell. then crossing the Cowhridpe-road down to The Duffrvn, where he was rolled over. Mr. T. D. John. who is always well mounted, was presented with the brush. THE LLANGEINOR HOUNDS. The Llangeinor or Osrmore pack met at Bryncethin on the morning of Boxing Day. It has been the custom for many years to make the Boxing Day meet an open-whoso- ever-will-may-come, with the result that there is always a veo-v large field. The heavy and aged carthorse was there, and by his side the small, unshed, and unsaddled mountal111 pony. The colliery horse the thorough- bred hunter were represented, but the Coitv donkeys did not on this occasion make their appearance. All started well to the sound: of the horn, and it was a sight to be remembered but iu less than an hour a large number were unable to hold their own, and returned home early. Foxes were plentiful, and a splendid day's sport was enjoyed.

PORT TALBOT RAILWAY. AGREEMENT WITH THE S.W. MINERAL RAILWAY COMPANY. A meeting of the shtarehoMers of the Port Talbot Docks and Railway Company was held on Friday at the offices of the company, Port Talbot. Colonel G. R. Wright presided and the others present were Mr. Gcdire'y Lipscomb, director; Dr. Lloyd Davies, New- port; Meesrfc. H. A. Stowe, D. W. Jones, F. vV. Page, and W. L. Parsons, shareholders; Mr. E. Lowther, general manager; and Mr. E. Knott, secretary. The Chairman, remarked that the meeting had been caiied to approve an agreement al- ready entered into, and which takes effect from 1st January. 1908, for the working, use, and maintenance of the South Wales Mineral Railway by the Port Talbot Railway and Docks Company. The South Wales Mineral Railway has a 'length of 13 miles, and runs from Briton Ferry to Giyncorrwg, the latter being the centre of a large, valuable mineral area now being developed. This railway, with which they already had a connection at a piiace called Tonmawr, would, thl" Chairman added, act as a valuable feeder to their rail- ways and docks. The- directors considered the agreement would be distinctly advantage- ous to the company. The agreement waa in perpetuity, and the South Wales Mineral Railway would be worked entirely by the Port Talbot Company, with an allowance for working expenses of 67j per cent, of the gross revenue. He did not consider it necessary to enlarge further upon the arrangement, and moved the following 1 eoolutiol1 :— That the agreement entered into between the Port Tal'bot Railway and Docks Com- pany and the South Wales Mineral Rail- way Company under section 31 of the Port Taibot Railway and Docks (South Wales Mineral Junction Railway) Act of 1896 for the maintenance, working, and user by the Port Talbot Railway and Docks Co. of the South Wales Mineral Railway -and of the works connected therewith be and is hereby approved!. Mr. Godfrey Lipscomb seconded. Before putting the resolution the Chairman asked if any shareholder present wished to put a question, and one remarked "I do not quite understand the working arrangement between this company and tbe South Wales Company as to the purchase and working." The Chairman: replied that they took 67-! per cent. of the gross receipts for working the railway. The resolution having been' put and carried unanimously, the Chairman declared the meeting closed. A Shareholder then rose and asked if he would be permitted to put a question. but the Chairman informed1 him the meeting had come to an end, though he would be pleased to answer any question privately.

RENT OF AGRICULTURAL LAND. INTERESTING FIGUES. The rent of agricultural land in England and Wales during the nineteenth century formed the subject of a paper by Mr. Robert J. Thompson at a meeting of the Royal Statistical Society recently. The paper was based on statementél obtained for the purpose from a number of estates, as well as on other available records, and showed the average rr-ut of 70,000 acres during each year of the nineteenth century, and of 120,000 acres from 1816 to 1900. and the rent of 400,000 acres from 1872 to 1900. The aver- age rent of farm land in 1900 appears from these returns to be about 20s. per acre, and this is subject to charges for repairs, improve- ments, etc.. and many other expenses, which amount on the average to 35 per cent., so that the net rent, after payment of charges, pro- bably averages some 13s. per acre. Moreover, besides a payment for the bars soil. rent re- presents a payment for the landlord's capital invested in the farm in the form of buildings, fences, drainage, etc. This, at a very moderate estimate, based on actual facts, averages not less than jE12 per acre. In- terest on this at 31 per pent, amounts to 8s. od., and when this is deducted from the net rent of 13s. per acre it leaves only 4s. 7d. per acre as representing on the average the rent of the "natural and indestructible powers of the soil." and the advantages of position, that is, the "economic'' rent as distinct from in- terest on capital. Mr. Thompson concluded by suggesting that it is in a return to the j conditions of earlier times, to a more even distribution of the land in a larger number of holdings, that we may perhaps anticipate more profitable results from the utilisation of the soil. The medium farm, with a reason- able proportion of still smaller holdings, fav- ours and encourages the frrowth of those pro- ducts which man lie produced as cheaply and as well in this country as abroad. Tin •oughout his paper Mr. Thompson grouped Welsh statistics with the English, so that for the purposes of comparison he gave no assistance to show the state of affairs, in the Principality. The only exception 1>16 a reference to M'Culloch's estimates, which showed an. average of 15s. üld. per acre in 1819-11. and of 18s. 4d. in 1814-15, an in- crease of 16 per cent. Of this Mr. Thomp&on said that M'Culloch. included a smaller pro- portion of Welsh land than was taken in his own estimates, and the effect of including the Welsh land was to depress the average.

It has been reported to the Camberwell Guardians that all the officials in. its infirm- ary have refused' their beer allowance and. instead. taken the money payment- -£6 per year to men and £4 to wwmen.

GOLD IN IMPORTANT "FIND" NEAR. NEWPORT. A ROMANTIC STORY. The story is told of another goldfield having been found in Monmouthshire simiiai in character to that which has been pro claimoo near Tintern. This new one is near Risca (the home of Mr. \\1. Brace, Al.P., ana Mir. Vernon Hartshorn), on a small farm known, as Pandy Bach, in the parish oi HenHys, the freehold of which was some yeais ago purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Richard Jones, the present occupiers. They had tie- plored for a long time the shallow formation of the soil. Some months ago, it is stated, two gentlemen called at the farm. After engag- ing in casual conversation with Mrs. Jones, they turned abruptly to another theme. One of them, producing 'a stone, said:—Do you know you have been walking upon and mending your roads with gold?' As can be imagined, Mrs. Jones was more than astonished, and thought at first that her visitor was in a sportive mood. With this impression it is said that she sportively offered to selI him the farm for £1,000; but, to her astonishment, the man did not seem to think uie sum an extortionate one, but proceeded to discuss1 with her the terms upon which she and her husband would be pre- pared to grant him, or a company, the right to work the minerals on the farm, or, as an alternative, the price upon which they would be willing to part- with the whole property. Even before having the samples of stone analysed, it is said that he there, and then offered to purchase the farm for £700, a price considerably in advance of what had been given for it. However, things do not appear to have come to a head just then, for the gentleman left, promising to communicate with her later. A week or two elapsed, and then Mrs. Jones, in company with her hus- band, received another visit from one of the gentlemen in question. He is stated to have Raid that the samples of stone he had taken had proved upon, examination to be extraor- dinarily rich in gold, and he advised her not to use any more of it for repairing roads, but to go on farming the land and wait until an Agreement could be arrived at between them. It is said that he again repeated his offer to purchase the farm, and also offered, if they would' allow him the right to form a company and work the gold ore. to sign an agreement rrivin<r them a certain percentage of the proceeds or the profits. However, after some discussion, it seems that an agreement was eventually come to by which Mr. and Jones gave permis- sion to the gent Item an in question, or a com- pany, to work the ere at their own expense, -upon giving them a certain percentage of the proceeds. By this means Mr. and Mrs. Jones will continue to farm the land, and, should the venture prove a financial success, will receive substantial dividends without them- selves risking or loxing anything, apart from the inconvenience, to which they may be put of having the operations conducted on their premises. Now comes another romantic part of the story. It seems that some weeks ago two or three gentlemen, including one. who figured so prominently in the story related above were out for a walk in the district. One of these gentlemen had formerly lived in the Henllys district, but now lives near Tintern:, and, it is said, has taken an active part in the operations which have resulted in the discovery of the gold-bearing strata in the Wye Valley. He was struck with the similarity of the strata on the Pandy Bach Farm to the strata in the Wye- Valley, and this led him to examine some of the broken stones which lie in great quantities, on the surface of the land. So satisfied was he with the result that he is said to have made the offer previously referred to. The samples were afterwardss examined by a metallurgist, and, it is stated, proved extraordinarily rich —an. ounce to the ton even being mentioned. Should this prove to be the case, the pro- perty will be more valuable than some South African mines. it is also stated that the gold-bearing strata is confined exclusively to the area of Pandy Bach Farm. Pandy Bach Farm is peculiarity situated in a little hollow near the foot of Twyn Bar- llwen. It is below the outcrops of the coal and limestone measures. There should be no reason why, if gold is found on. this spot, it should not be found in other parts of the valley leading up towards Abergavenny. The news of the discovery has evoked extra- ordinary interest- in the locality, and Mr. and Mrs. Jones have receive-d, many curious visitors. It. is stated that a company is now in course, of formation, and that actual mining operations wiH be commenced within a couple of weeks.

Acetylene Explosion. A serious explosion occurred on Friday at the village of Wiark, near .fSiewcastie-on-Tyne. Arrangements were in progiress for a recep- tion by MI. Charles M. Ridley, of Park End, Wark, at the Mechanics' Institute, adjoining which a large marquee had been erected for the accommodation of the company at supper. Air. William Chorlton and Mr. M. Graham, members of the Institute Committee, were preparing the acetylene gas apparatus, when an explosion occurred, both being terribly burnt. Mr. Chorlton never regained con- sciousness, and died within half-an-hour. Little hope is entertained of Mr. Graham's re- co very. The reception was immediately po stponed.

MEMORIAL WINDOW TO THE LATE JUDGE WILLIAMS. Miskin Church, which was licensed by the Lord Bishop of Llandaff on Monday, was built by Mr. P. Gaylaixl, or Bridgend, and constructed chiefly of CJuarella stone. It s designed in the Early English period of Gothic architecture to accommodate 190 people. It is cruciform in plan, and has a line western tower. The materials used in its coustructioiii are principally those found in the neighbourhood. The dressings and tracery are of Quarella stone, and the walls inside are lined with ashlar work of the same material. Externally the walls are faced with Quar- ella stone hammer-dressed coursed work. The roofs of the nave, transepts, and chancel are open, and constructed of oak left clean from the plane. They are dignified in character. The nave roof resembles the roof over the western nave of Llantwit Major Church, with carved bosses at the intersec- tions of the ribs, with the arms blazoned on them of the chief donors to the building fund. The roofs over the chancel and sanc- tuary have bold trussed rafters, moulded purlins, and curved ribsi to every other rafter. To the intersections of the ribs there are carved Early English "-ikied bosses, with a richly carved cornice to the whole roof. The chancel stalls are of richly carved oak, and the nave is seated with oak benches of plainer design. The pavement and steps of the chancel are of white Sicilian marble, and the central passage of the nave is paved with the same materials. The pulpit is executed in Caen stone, with five traceried panels, and the font is a copy of the ancient one in Cray Church, raised on an octagonal base of Quarella stone steps. The lectern is a. fine example of brass work modelled from an ancient design. MEMORIAL TO THE LATE JUDGE. One of the most artistic features in the church is the beautifully designed and executed window by Newbury, presented by Sir William Thomas Lewis, Bart., K.C.V.O., in memory of the late Judge Gwilym Williams. Externally the church is a model of archi- tectural taste, and everyone who has seen it is struck with the successful grouping of its several features. It has cost £6,300 to build, and though for its accommodation the build- ing may seem a costly one. yet it was deter- mined to build a church worthy in every re- spect- of its sacred purpose, and equal in architectural beauty to the ancient village churches which have carried down through all ages the evidence of our faith and are at the same time the pride of our land. Mrs. Williams and her aons and daughter, who have spared neither time nor trouble in the erection of the church, must be congra- tulated in providing the county of Glamor- gan with a church second scarcely to any other m the eotrafy.

ULYlNCO^tOUi .uio DILL NEW SEWERAGE, >v AT"?* SUPPLY, AND ROADS. The Giyncorrwg (Jroa-xi- iJietrict Council have deposited a oopy of the Bill which will be introduced during uio «ut.amg Session. Part 2 empowers' tne council witnui the next tern jears to construct a system of sewers at an Pro- vision is also an agree- ment with tiie Margam Urban District Conn- cil for connecting the system with the main sewer of the Mar gam Council. The proposed agreement is i llÙJ tet out in. the first schedule to tho Bill. Pure, S proposes to authorise the Council to supplement their existing water supply by the construction of a storage reservoir across the River Corrwg, with power to appropriate the waters of the ltiver Conrwg and the tributaries thereof. The cost of the proposed reservoir, including the purchase of the neoestjary lands, is esti- mated at £;19,000.. Part 4 proposes to enable the Council to lay out three new roads, to be called the Avan Valley-road, the Abergwynfi-road, and the Giyncorrwg road, nd to straighten and widen the existing roads from Cymnner to Abergwynfi and from Cymmer to Glyn- corrwg. As regards this part of the Bill, the preamble states that. "owing to the absence of proper roads, the existing means of intercommunication between the different parts of the districts and the neighbouring diBtricts are altogether inadequate." The cost of these road improvements is estimated at £43,500. Part 5 gives to the Council the necessary powers to acquire all the lands necessary for the purposes of the Act. but power is also taken to purchase easements in, lieu of acquiring lands for the purpose of the sewers and conduits. By Clause 39 it is pro- vided' that, for the purpose of determining any question of disnnted romnen:sation- The tribunal shall take into account. any permanent increase in value of any lands retained by or belonging to the which, in the opinion of the tribunal, will result from or be caused by the construc- tion of the works for or in connection with which the Lands are required and gene- rally all the other circumstances of the case which it is equitable to consider. Part 6 gives to the Council power to borrow £ 149,oOO, in addition to the sum necessary for passing the Bill throusrh Parliament.

WESTERN DISTRICT F MINERS. DIVISION CONTEMPLATED. Mr. J. H. Phillips (Abergwynfi) presided over the Western Miners' meeting, 48 delegates representing between 11.000 and 12.000 men- being present, together with Mr. John Williams, M.P. The question of dividing the district into three parts and making it three districts was considered. The suggestion is that it coukl be worked more effectively. The further consideration was adjourned, a committee being appointed to go into the matter thoroughly and report to the next meeting. A deputation of nine representatives was appointed to wait on the Central Council at Cardiff, respecting the allocation of the Parliamentary levy. The Executivo Com- mittee recommended that a fund be formed to relieve out-of-work cases, there being no such provision in the rules, and it was decided to consider the subject at the next meeting. Permi-ssven was given to the Wallence work- men (Llanelly) to tender notices, and similar applications from Tirdonkin and Nanthir were adjourned.

The Weather and the Crops. There is plenty of land for January to plough, if ploughing in January be deemed advisable, or if the ground be soft enough to allow of it. Ordinarily we must expect the usual hard and more or less frozen soil of mid-winter to prohibit ploughing on this side of Candlemas, in which case February will start with arrears to work off. The growing wheat has benefited by the sharper weather since Christmas Day, and farmers are not on the whole disposed to grumhleabout. the sea- son. Threshings are always small in the last fortnight of the year, but what grain has reached the exchange has. been in improved condition. The promise ot the growing wheat in the Latin countries is very satisfao- tory, but it is doubtful if in France and Italy the area sown is quite as large as last season. In France the wet October and November were very awkward for field work, while Italy deplores a continuous emigration from the rural districts and increasingly large areas of uncultivated arable. Sales of British wheat at the statute markets last week were below the average even for the Christmas period of small supplies. From Monday's Mark-lane Express."

Tbrw of a number of children who ven- tured on a frozen pond at Gravelange, Bel- gium, fell through the ico and were drowned. A woman barrister, Mho. de Caraffa, has made a. striking debut at Bastia (France), where, after a moving speech, she secured the acquittal of a man of sixtoy-six accused of murder. The Marquis of Bute, in celebration of the recent birrth of an heir, is to give a banquet r c-• cO the town Councils of Rothesay and Millport, the Bute and Cumbrae tenantry, and representative residents in the neighbourhood.

.OM. "A severe cold on the cheeft me with a hacking t cough, which nothing sesd able to ease. As 6 • a last resource I tried SCC'S Emulsion and was 8 i reli&ed i from tie first. and after a little perseveran was perfectly cured." F. SCALES 193 HIGH STREET, ACTON, W. 17/6/07. • j [• 0 Above is the Prodn the Facts. 6 Here is Proof in thteason Why: 0 •L 1# SCOTT'S Emulsion easily demonss its superiority over all competitive emulsions when put he test of actual triaL The test is in the cure—the b work is done in the laboratory. The material selectre always the very best and the SCOTT process is the resf long and painstaking experiment; it has never beeivalled. This is why SCOTT'S has an unchallenged rd of cures. Therefore, when purchasing, don't ask for Ision ask for and get scons M' MfthTBTB ? '? Emulsioi 0 0 1 0 t 0 0 1 0 .I *I 0 0 —the difference between thern ans ? cure for you! [ See that the Fishman with the Fish is on teackage. Write for a free sample and The Cry of the Children (enclose d. r postage and name this paper). • SCOTT & BOWNE, Ltd., 10-11 Stonecter Street, London, E.C.. Impress on your mid the Tact that TXE HYGIENIC Steam Laldry Co. CAERA.-J, MAESTEG-, Are now prepared to urn out HIGHLASS WORK at Moderate I Charges, they aving had the Premises fitted out with tie Most Mode* Machinery. Ladies' & Children^ Linen Siirts and Collars turned a Speciality >ut EQUAL TO NEW. SpecialArrangemeitsmade — NO CHEMICALS for Family Washing. of any kind used Work returned COMPLITE EVERY WEEK! e- PRICE LIST POST FW ON APPLICATION. I M PO R TA N T. -"tistomers araindly requested to place their | FULL NAME and ADDRESS on Bcels before delivering same. All Communications o be sent dect to Manageress, which will 'eceive promr attention. (19* A Trial $rder is espectfully solicited. P.O. TELKPHoNE-J. 17, CAERAU. ggr THE TANS WLL VISIT WEEKLY AS FOLKWS:— Bridgend and Tondt Motays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Nantymoel P, Tuesdays I Pontycymme- "I Wednesdays. I Cymmer and bergwynfi Fridays. Maesteg and Oaeran a.. Mondays and Saturdays. 1 I !L- -= I Clean White sheets I Napery of distixctic, n. | they »rc yotfs I if 'tis I Oo&p I Hurts neither j hands nor 8 clothes. • • •

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A GRICULTURA h NOTES ALI, OF CATTLE AND SHEEP BY WEIGHT. Although the practice of weighing cattle and sheep in markets has not made rapid growth, it is ccrtain that it has made progress since the time that records wore first kept, and the markets which first appreciated the value of the scales are still the foremost in making use of them; now and again, however, one hears of a new re- cruit to the all too limited and select scheduled list. HbIl, by the way, is the latest notable addition. Some time ago the Hoidernes-s Agricultural Club decided to petition the Hull Corporation to give better facilities for the, weighing of live animals in their market. The corporation, as such bodies usually do, moved slowly in tho matter, but the outcome of the petition is that three additional weigh-bridges are to be provided in the Hull cattle market.^ It may bo mentioned, however, that the markets committee did not decide upon this addition until they had taken a poll of users of the market. No doubt that course was expedient. foi butchers and dealers are naturally opposed to the use of weigh bridges. Anyhow, the Hull market is to have additional facilities for the weighing of cattle and sheep, and it is to be hoped that the farmers will signify the conces- sion thus gained by their consignments being bought and sold on the live weight system. SELECTION OF BREEDING STOCK. There are practically no limitations to whqi may be accomplished by skilful selection in the breeding of live stock. The rate of progress in any particular direction may be slow-indeed il must be slow, and possibly not always continu- ous; but to the persevering and competent the desired result will assuredly be vouchsafed. The dairy cow is as pliable in the hands of the experl breeder as any other animal, and if he sets him self to improve her in any one respect he neec not despair of success or have to wait very long for perceptible improvement. Of course, thE rate of progress towards any object is largelj determined bv the amount of attention concen trated upon its attainment. If there is a. divi sion of effort and attention the result may be less rapid and consistent. It is the very natura reluctance of dairy farmers to subordinate al other considerations to the percentage of butte! fat that makes it so hard to establish a breed oi strain that will unfailingly yield milk of a quality securing to them exemption from prosecutior under the Board of Agriculture standard. Onl) the farmer who devotes himself to butter-making can afford to overlook the quantity of the yield for, according to the methods of trading in thi; country, he receives not a penny more for mill containing 5 per cent. butter fat than for miJ. containing a bare 3 per cent., and hence there is no inducement to seek after quality at the ex penso of quantity. In Australia they managf things better in regard to this point, as the price fluctuates in accordance with the quality o the milk. and richness in butter fat and othei solids thus brings its proper reward. The butter-making records in Dr. Watney's Jersey herd and some figures recently published con corning the Dutch herds prove, however, tha! by skilful selection on the basis of heredity anc milk and butter yielding records it is possible tc achieve wonderful results in raising the quaht) of the milk, not only of indifiduai animals but of the whole herd.