The Western Mail

MONMOUTHSHIRE STANDING I JOINT COMMITTED THE CHIIiF-OONSTABLh'S CIRCULAR I TO THE FORCE. A special meeting of the standing joint com- mittee of Monmouthshire was held at the offices of the county council on Tuesday. Sir Henry Mather-Jackson, the chairman, presided, and there were Msopre>eut Mr. E. (irove, Mr. S. C. Bos-,n- quer, Mr. E. J. Phi lips, Dr. James, Mr, John Daniel, Mr George Hoskin., Colonel Bjrde, and Mr. D. A. V,iuglian. The Chikp-constablb (Major Herbert) said that how the order issued by him got in the press fit- did not know. He supposed some enterprising repo. t"r got hold of someone, but there were a few sligh errors in what had hitherto appeared. In consequence of a resolution passed by the stauding joint committee on April 15 last in the following terms, vis.:— That this committee, while desiring to record ;t. full approval ot the past efforts initialed by tiie chief ?ns?ble for p Lomeating liceii?tioldem when bfdLChos of the licence "WI hive -?.ed. u, g p.. bhn tbe necessity for increased vigilaH ..? tbe part of tbo ??.i?' ?)<M S ?c6'.c<ho!der! MtinK )ntoxtc*tt.< persons iti? dri,?k ?h.d be r ,u,fy p,edZ against, aud thus prevent increasing drunkeuness in the county. He considered that he was bound, acting in accordance with the wlshe. of the standing joint committee to put it to the police what he would ctll straight, and he, therefore, put it in this v,.y Cbletoonstable's Office, Abergavenny, 30th May, 1891. General Orders IMPORTANT DUTIES. I One of The most lii,pt,rtaut duties ut the constaouiary is the strict enforcement of the licensing lawl. Omen ,,d cull.bl.. who never report ny ir.eguiarily In a p b in i"t; where drunkenness is considerable will be con- sidered to have been been wanting II vigilance and to have negl^c ed an important, duly. They must not, therefore-, be surprised if ,Is, d, n6, r?iv t e ltid? ment o! p.y aUl Iwr' led to be gmnted to e;cient con- stables. (Signed) Edmund Hkrbert. Cuief-constable. He would remark that under the scale of police vay passed by the standing joint committee there was this memorandum, "Increase of nay for i?gtit of service and efficiency to be deter- it :ined by the chief-con»table." In his i-p?nion where the»e was at great deal of drunkenness its a disM-ict, that drunkenness, no doub-, arose from public-houses, and, therefore, it should no the duty of the chn f-conntabie to see that policemell in toat district did their duty efficiently, and es-uming that the drunkenness arose fwm I he public houses, as it did, it there never was any rep nt from n policeman in the di«tiici, he consideied be was neglecting a n,o,t imDortfiut part of his duty, and, therefor. was not entitled to any increment in his pay. A question was put in the House ofO,mmon. by Mr. Agg-Gardener, which ha,1 resulted in a very lengthy correspondence with the Home Office. He di not propose to read the whole of it. The Home Secretary inquired if he (the chi*f-eonPtabl-> had l'I)II.,d.red tHe position with reference to cottagu brewing and clubs over which the police had no control. He (tlte Home Secretary), remarked the Chief-constable, evidently thought the drunken- ness did not come from the public houses. The reply to that que.tion was a simple olle-viZ" th?t! ?ot! a, a, nearly non-existent, and that there were no bogus clubs existing in the county as there Were in Glamorganshire, and ilisit, after an experience of 33 years as chiet- constable of Monmouthshire, he found the drunkenness which came to Ihe cogni- .n nce 0 k the police came from the public- houses. Mr, Mu,thewlI wrote asking it the order would not creaie the fear in the minds of those who had an interest in public- ;ouses that ill-founded and vexa'\ous "NSecu- tions would result from the order rather than a prudent administration of the law. His (the chief- corstaWeV) reply to that wu. that in the police regulations of the county every charge against a publican was first submitted to his own personal notic, and that there was no fear of ill-founded orvexa'ious prosecutions. A large brewer, who owned s.v.r.1 tied houses in the county, bad issued a circular in which he said he ehuuld like to convey to the chief-con- .I",bl his heRrty appreciation of the way in which the provisions of the licensing laws were carried out, both by magistrates and police. The Home Secretary wished an amendment of the order, and lie (the chief-constable) wrote offering to take out the htst sentence in it; but that did not satisly the Home Secretary, whereupon lie (the chief*const»ible) wrote that it did not make the slightest difference because he should alwa?v act u p on the Bame principles. aco,t. sV¿:i:'ing spoken at some length on the reaolution of April 15 p.ssed by the standing joint committee, said he had very much pleasure in supporting the chief-constable. The (??HA,Rm&N .aid he thought the demoralisa- lion that the inaei?trate in question must have alluded to was a demoralisation of the police force. He proposed, to test tbe sense of the committee, this resolution j— That ti?i? ,ItOe, h,,?l.?, considered the mrre- sp 1I'It;: Ir.ri'o"r::d he ot,nstab ;e' hereby records its Approval of the course adopted by the chlef-cousttble as b ing In accordance with the former resolution of April Id. and also in accordance with the present views of the committee on the .uoj.ct. Mr. VAUQHAN Faid lie should have much pleasure in seconding the motion. Mr. E. J. PHILLIPS, whilst agreeing that great vigilance whs necessary, took exception to the last sentence of the order, and thought the chair- man, the deputy-chairman, and the chief-con-table should be asked between them to amend the oider in that part, because he believed some per- sons would take it that an inducement was held out to policemen to btain convictious against publicans. Mr. GROVR did not think there was any friction at all io the matter. Colonel Btrdk said he had presided for 26 years over the largest petty sessional division but one in the county, and he could not re-call one case which could be called a vexatious prosecution on the part, 011 he police. The Cbaikmak put the motion to the meeting, and declared it carried. Mr. E. J. Phillips aud Mr. Geo. Hoskins did not vote for or against.

FREE EDUCATION AT ABERDARE. I At the adjourned meeting of the Aberdare School Board on Tuesday, under the presidency of Mr. R. h. Rhyll, the el "cul-ir of the Education Department in reference to the New Act wns read, and the Chairman proposed, '"nd Mr. 1'. Williams (one of the workmen's representatives) seconded, that all the elementary schools undor the board, withihB exception of the higher grade school, should bo free. This wri* carried with two dissen- tients.—A fuither resolution in lavuur of redui in^ t>>e fee i?t the higher grade .chool (-,#u 9d. to 6 ?L ca ried. THE EISTEDDFOD PAVILION.

WELSH NATIONAL I EISTEDDFOD. THE SWANSEA MEETING. I OPENING OF THE GORSEDD. RESULTS OF THE COMPETITIONS. ALARMING ACCIDENT. [By I SWANSEA, TUESDAY. The National Eisteddfod of Wales was opened to-day at Swansea by the Rhaith Uorsedd, or the Parliament of the Throne of Thrones of the British Isle, which held its ritual meeting in front of the Town-hall, in the faoe of the suit and in the eye of light." The stones composing the bolyoirole I were not of the orthodox kind, for they bad the marks of th* hammer npon them. It appears that ;he anci,,u r prohibition to employ iron tools in the construc- tion of the D uidio Gilgal was to guard against the introduction into the bardic sanctuary of carved representations of the Divine emanations. But it appears that very early permission was given, as at Stonehenge, to hew stones for the outer framework of the circle. Therefore, it can- not be said that the Swansea oommittee have sinned much by imitating the philosophers of the later school of tialtabury Plain. Great difficulty is experienced in making the literati of Wales to understand the sun is not the '• Eye of Light" of the Oorsedd, and that the correct form of the adage is, In face of the sun, and in the Eye of Light." The Eye of Light" is supposed to be the oircle in which the feet of the A rohdruid stands in the centre of the Gorsedd. The expression is a Welsh idiomatic one, and signifies the ssme thing as Llygad Ffynon, which, literally rendered, is eye" of the fountain, but meaning the spring of the well. The expression implies that the Gorsedd is the source of all knowledge, and that the A rohdruid stands daring the cere- mony in the midst of its eduoatiug influences. The usual venerable faces were there in the circle, except one Nathan Dyyad." Mertbyr, alas, was not there. In every National Gorsedd, in North and South Wales, he was wont to be present. His wide-awake hat in one hand, and the other hand, shaped like an ear-trumpet, applied to his ear to catch the "wise saws and modern instances" whioh sparkled from the Cauldron of the Nine Muses. He is gone beyond the veil and joined the ancient prophets of the Cymrio nation. Who knows P He may have joined the Society of Gwyddon Ganhebon, Einigan Gawr, ldria, Taliesin, Aneurin, Llywarch Hen," Myvyr Morganwg," and yr hen "Iolo o Forltanwg" I One loves to picture the venerable "Nathan" restored to eternal youth, robed in white, a'r peswoh," as he used to say, "wedi passol" 11 Clwyd- vardd" was there, hale and appearing buoyant, notwithstanding his ninety winters. 1 know of no man living coming up so thoroughly to one's ideal of Gray's I.aat Minstrel" as "Clwjdvardd." His reacb of arm, msgnifioent carriage, and strength of frame make one feel that he could shake the life out of a uon. and the next moment could strike the strings of tbe harp of Wales and draw from it the aw etest harmony. The ever faithful Hwfa MOti was there, to be sure, playing Aaron to "Clwydfard(re Moses. Arobdeaoon Griffiths was there representing the Christianity of the Round Table of Caerlleon-on-Usk. Mil. W. james, genkkal SECRETARY (Prom a Photo by Simile Bros, Swansea). On reaching the pavilion one was much struck by tbe beauty of its construction and the splendid space it afforded, oapable of accommodating 15,000 people. It is almost oircular in form, with seats throughout. Above, supported by a wooden trellis work running round beneath, was a vast umbrella-like structure made of wbito- brown sailoloth, anditwassoarrangeosetol move up and down by tbe mfiuenoe of the ventilation of the building. Tbe whole build- ing resembled tbat of Brecon last year, and is really very fine and does credit to the oom- mittee and the designer. On looking towards the wall at the hack and flanking the plat- form, one's attention became rivetted by the array of names of departed Welsh bards, preaohers, musioal oomposera, and other worthies of the nation who have departed from the living within the last few years, but many of whose genial faces were wont to be seen at these national gatherings. It gave one's heart a pang of sorrow when one read, in blaok letters on white ground, the Welsh words, 1, In Memory," and underneath the names of "Glanffrwd" and "Onllwynp" two eminent bards who had crossed the river sinoe the, last National Eisteddfod. The following other names in mourning emblems were Mynddog," "(;eiriog," Cy nfaSn," G wilym Gwent," Brinley Richards, "Gweirydd ap Rhys," "Tanymarian," "Glan Llyfnwy," Kilsby," Dr. Owen Thomas, the Ven. Wm. kvans, Tonyrefail; Dr. ThomasRees, Vulcan; Dr. Price, Aberdare; "Dewi Wyn o Esyllt," &c. To those of us who have regularly attended these great gatherings of the nation, and often met most of the above- named, their memory seemed to lend an air of great solemnity to the present meeting of the bards and vocalists of the Prinoipality. Peace to the ashes of the departed I At about three o'clock, when the business of the Eisteddfod was in progress, a terrific storm of wind and rain oame suddenly from the direction of the sea at the Mumbles. The rain pattered violently on the wooden framework of tbe vast build- ing. The umbrella-like structure of oanvas at the top of the pavilion was being shaken violently by the wind, which drove with immense force from the west. Suddenly a loud crack was heard, and it became evident that the eastern side of the trellis-work sup- porting it had given way. Immediately after- wards down it came, but very gently, like a huge collapsed balloon. Rain, of course, now descended in torrents into the space below, and tbe audience made a rush towards the comparatively dry place in front of the plat- forim. iNe injury was sustaiiwU 111 any on., and after a short delay the business of the I' meeting was oarried on in the midst of a considerable amount of discomfort. The excursions were hardly in fall work yesterday, it being only the first day of the Eisteddfod. The number of visitors who at- tended the Eisteddfod and were to be seen in the streets appeared to be larger than the reports at the railway stations seem to account for, and the probability is that a good propor- tion of Swansea people attended the Eistedd- fod on the first day. At the Ureat Western Station the returns were light, especially from Carmarthen. On the Vale of Neath line the ordinary trains were well filled, but the excursions were not so heavy as was expected. There was a fairly well filled excursion from Newport, and a moderately good contingent from Port Talbot. Most of these PUlengerl1 were, however, bronght to the Low Level Station at St. Thomas, and it is to this station that the Hhondda and Maesteg choirs, with their numerous followers, will be brought to-day (Wednwdiy). The early train, on the London and North Western I:ailway from Gowerton, Pontardulais, and the Carmarthen- shire district appeared to be heavily laden, whilst the Midland brought a good number down from the Swansea Valley. MR. BEES JONES, MUSICAL SECRETARY I (From a Photo by Mr. B. A. ChaPman, Swansea), 1- [TBOM OUR OWN EBPOBTIBS.1 I The National Eisteddfod at Swansea opened on Tuesday under the most favourable auspicefl, the weather being glorious and thousands of people pouring into thl town by the early trainp, so tbat the enthusiasm of the promoters of the gathering, somewhat damped by Monday's rain- fall, was re-kindled, and, "Dan Nawdd Dow t'i Dangnef," everyho 11 seemed determined to piloid the dignity and promote the success of the -mtid old institution in the face of the sun Md in the eye of light." THE GORSEDD. I The Gorsedd was opened at nine o'clock io tbe morning in the rquara in front of the Town-hall, and even here the prepaiations were on an elabo- rate scale. In one corner of the square was a platform erected for the occasion, and among those who took their seats upon it in order to witness the mystic ceremonies and listen to the rhythmic flow of Cambrian lyrics were Sir J. T. D, Lleweh n (mayor of Swansea), in his official robee; Lady Llewelyn, the town-clerk (in his wig1 and gown), Aldermen Free nan (ex- mayor), James Jones, and W. Mason Councillors T. PaOlC08 and J. Griffiihs; Sir John Jones Jenkins, Mr. Sutton, Mr. C. H. GlascodinA and others. In the centre of the square was the Logan Stone, and a circle was formed into which none but the Initiated dared intrude, lest they should be withered by the fiery eye of the Archdruid, or smitten with the sword of "Ceidwady Cladd." The only drawback io the pic- ture of the imaginative bard was the fact that the sacred circle was composed of stones which were Dot" unhewn," 8S they should be, but which bore sign- of the touch of a vanished hand io the art of masonic chiselling. Thousands of people stood around watching the proceedings, and police kept guard at the gates to prevent too great a rush of onlookers, but everything passed off In an orderly manner. Tho Arch-druid Clwydfardd."sL" usual,presided, and the moment his massive figure rose majestic on the Gorsedd Stone a respecl ful silence fell on the assembled multitude. "Bwfa Mon read the (jorsedd prayer in Welsh, and the Ven. Archdeacon Griffiths in English; and the Archdruid read the proclamation of the Swansea Eisteddfod. Among the bards and others present also were "Ctdvao," Eiftonydd,' I CroidinL" Mr. T. H. Thomas, Cardiff; "EU (ile Nant," "Watcyn Wyn," Mr. T. Marchant Williams, Mr. E. Vincent Evans (London), Mr. I wan Jenkyn, "Ap Idanfryn," lago Tegaingl," 66 Gwynedd Athmn Fardd," Eos Dar." "Ap lonawr," Awstin," Gwyroaydd," Mr. J. B. Jones, and IMr. Abram H. Thomas (Crumlin). "CLWYDF ARDD," ARCHDRUID. 1 ,dd. his name .11D16. is a native of the Tt? .f Olwyd, and baa pent hi. ton Mte at Denbigh. U" i. the oldest ard 1. W-Is. and t bold the .ed office of Ambdruld of the Gonedd for m*ny ym.* H. I' one "I tho.e who owe th.1- education ?!?)y to" the Eisteddfod, and is the )Mt link that oon- neots ?S aeueratlou f brd. Itb D.wi Wy? o .t" t" I Davydd lomwr," and otben. After the formal opening ceremony, Mr. Pearce (Treherben) struck a cliord on the national instrument, the harp, and w Eos Dar," the renowned pennillion einger, sang to its accom- paniment the T<ntt prepared by "Watcyn Wyn. Certain )tne< which were veiy tetHng was gmted with applause. One couplet, "Heddwoh « thangnefedd sydd I bawb ar ddydd Eisteddfod,* was appropriately responded to with a Cly web/ Then came the bardic addresses. "Cadvan," concluded with an anathema on John Bull's spoits in the words Aed racts Caer I waered, Asynbakh blon JSaii I Abred. -a with which was greeted with loud laughter. "Ap lonawr" having recited en englyo, Gwyroiydd followed with the prettily expressed wish for peace:- Bhag gwenwyn pob dryirlonl. Rill G..It. dg mif. di. While 11 Pennar," referring to the honourable posi- t ion held by the Eisteddfod in the annale of tile Welsh nation, exclnimed- Drl hou fyth bRrhitcVn ben. Eurfryn," "I?o Tej{ein?t." Owyne?d." 6MMW )t"(t" KiSonydd" also teaMd forth tt'tM souls in a gush of eon?, tnd the Gorsedd ceremony wss brought to a conclusion with an dd,es. the titles of the various chairs of the Eisteddfod by "Hwfa Mon." The next Gorsedd will be held on Thursday morning. In the meantime, candidates for bardic honours should prepare themselves, for on Wednes- day, at five o'clock In the afternoon, they will have an opportunity of being tested in accordance with the eUteddfodic decree. THE EISTEDDFOD GATHERING. On the adjournment of the Gorsedd, a huge procession was formed, and paradeti the principal streets on the way to the Eisteddfod pavilion. The police and a military band preceded the mace- bearers, who heralded the npinoarh of the mtsyui and his guests, the bards, while the general public followed In large numbers. At the outset the attendance in the pavilion wa. not large, and the sight presented to th. early visitors was strikingly similar to that seen year after year. The "In Memoriam" list over the platform comprised W. Evau*,Tonyrefail; '•Vulcan," Dr.Price.Gi.ffw,f, "Onllwyn," Dr.Oweo Thomas "Kilsby," Dr. Bees, "Tanymarian," "Ceiriog," Brinley Richards, "Glan Llyfnwy," G?il?m G?,et," "Na,ha. Dyted," Mrs. Annie Williams, "Gweirydd ap Ri,y, "Mynyddog," "Cynfaen," "Dewi Wyn o' EMyDt. .I "Giraldus." It will be seen that, although familiar names are included, the death roll contains several names of people who have died since the last meeting of the National Eisteddfod. The usu d Eisteddfod mottooo were around the pavilion, but the monotony w.s varied by the addition of "Gochelwcli ladmn" (Bewnre of pukpickets), "Smoking strictly prohibited," and" Mo re-admission to pavilion w¡r.hout p8>8es.- The first meeting was fixedfor 10.20. The weather was beautifully tine, and crowds of visitors began to arrive from ten o'clock 'I onwards. Thi-re was 80me de!"y in opening the d%ra whilst some final internal arrangement" were being nade, but at 10.30 a large number had swarmed into the vast building, which easily accommodates 15,000 people. However, up to eleven o'clock not half the Seats were occupied, but the building was gradually being filled. The mayor afterwards apologised for the delay in opening the building. On the laige platform were seated the Eisteddfod Choir, and in front of them, at the central table, his worship the Mayor of Swansea, Sir J. T. D. Llewelyn (the president for the morning), in his robes of office. On his left were seated the town-clerk of Swansea in his robes, Horit anti Lady Windsor, Sir Hussey Vivian, M.l\, anil Laily Vivian, Sir John J"nes Jenkins, the Ven. "rrl.dea.co" Griffith., Mr. Lewis Wrris,&c. Other poriions of the platform were occupied by the baros, conductors, and officials of the EI.teddfod, The President then called on the Eisteddfod Choir to render Maesgarmon Harlech." Mr. Maldwyn Humphreys then gave the Eis, teddfod song, "0 na byddui'n haf o hyd," wbicii was received with loud applause. PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. I The PbbsidbNT then advanced to the front of the pint form and, in a very clear voice, delivered his inaugural address. He premised bis observations by the statement tbat the whole use and object of the EIsl eJdfod was to consider In cordial union how best to secure the progress of Wales and of Welsh- men by the culture of music as well as of the other arts. The general progress of the people, by bringing them together for educational purposes, oadbeen the object of the Eisteddfod for very many years; and, he continued, they knew it was very unfair to measure the amount of good ,ione by the »steddfol by the few prize winners. There might be twenty or thirty entries, with very small difference between the first ano tbe last, and tliey did not measure the amount of success by the one winner, but by the training, care, and skill brought on thl education of the others. The unsaet and unknown results, therefore, might be, and possibly were^reaur than i hose recognised. The Eisteddfod w,-& said to be. means ot preserving the traditions of, and perpetuating the glories of, an olden time—a time of more romantic deed and more romantic speech than our own ,.Mtie *<e. Even judged on these Une? it might be worth proserviii; but )t WM t'heed I:,i':ie:n\ );)onfy ihe past to the de'nment of the present was U.?ise. H It could be rgued that the Eisteddfod did now. Md was destined in the future, io enlighten those who took part in its proceedings, and that it furnished incentives to reuiler the Principality (heater and better, then the Ei-teddfod deserted .o be well supported. (Cheers.) While recognis- ing gratefully what bad been done in the past, the SIR J. T. Ð. LLEWELYN. MAYOR ol-. SWANSEA, PRESIDENT ON TUESDAY MORNING (From a Photo by Mr. B. A. Chapman, Swansea) I lesson, he said, W88 not merely to "rest and be thankful," but to look forward more hopeful ly and to extend the fullest encouragement to the. who were striving to Uti Upt-Wllo were earnestly an? dilgentlv eeeMn? to be improved. The undue exaati6n ee:I tn:;P:"ser1e compe- tition with one more generally in use was open to remark. Tbe advantages IIf a know- ledge of two languages—Welsh and E(litliqli-were unquestionable; but the cultivation of the one I need not necessarily involve the extinction of the other. Notwithstanding the clinging to their native tongue by Welshmen, it was notewor>hy thai English was more read and spoken-and better spoken—than s me few years ago. To quote the words of Clwvddf.rdd "a Welob.a,, with a knowledge of English was one language to the fore of hit Saxon friends." Coming to the antiquity of the Eisteddfod, lie said it was I be oldest literary institution in Europe, with very important historical surroundings, and possessing ilia strongest hold on the affections of the people. The origin might be said to haVb been lost in the silent grave of remote antiquity. As early as the sixth century they found a noteworthy EisteJdfod held in Tegany, in North Wale*, when Taliesin," the chief bard, and the bards of the Gorsed l, com- peted. From that early period meetings of the Kis- teddfod had been held from time to lime in different gilacei. In the vear 914 Bywel Dd", the King of Wales, framed rules in which were section. respect- ing the duties of the Royal harpists, and the aire to be sung on particular occasions were also mentioned. In the eleventh century Gruffyttd ap Cynan, Prince of Abettfraw, and Bleddyn ab Lynfin, Prince of Mathorafal, or Powis, published the rules which governed the musician. and the eisteddfodau for ages held them in respect and aoted according to them. In the year 1107, Cadwgan, the son of Bleddyo, held an Eis- teddfod at Cardigan, in the Collie. In the year 1177, Rhys ab Gruffydd, Prince of South Wales, held another in the eame castle. Cambrensis spoke in terms of higii commendation of the nbility nf the harpists about that period. In the year 1300 they had frequent mention of the Gorsedd. Ivor Hael held an Eisteddfod in his own palace in the reign of Edward III, and in the roign of Edward IV., and by his permission Gruffyd ab Nicholas, one of the ancestors of Lord Dynevoi, held an Eisteddfod at Carm"rthen,with considerable poinp and ceremony. It was aid to have lasted fifteen day,. Henry VIII. gave permission to hold an Eisteddfod in the county of Flint, and another was held in the same place by permission of Queen Elizabeth in 1568. The assembly on that occasion was a very nume- rous one, and 55 bardic decrees were conferred- sevenieeo for vocal and 38 for instrumental music. In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries several meetings were held, under the patronage of the Earl of Pembroke, Sir Richard P;ilea Sir Richard Basset. He would skip over the further hietoryof the Eisteddfod for those centuries, and come down to the present century. At the Denbigh Eisteddfod his Royal Highnest the Duk* of Susies oread.4 ou one of the days- » Then Sir Walter Scott, Robert a',uthe" TiHimfc Moore, and Sharon Turner acknowledged the t honour 01 being elected members of the Cvmro. dorion Society. The Eisteddfod held at Beiumarta in 1832 was remarkable far the visit paid by ht> Majesty the Queen-then the Prtn"ea.. Victoria- with her moiliev, the Duchess of Kent. They had hoped to have her Majesty at Swansea 011 occasion, but at her advanced age it ta much to expect her to do. But tber would certainly have had the prince at Wales there if they had applied to hlia in time. The Invitation to his Roy..1 Rieh1lel8"" pressed home by Sir Hussey Vivian, bqg the Prince's engagements were so gsal that he found it imposiibla to comT In regard to the localities, it was the rule, ai they knew, to hold the meetings alterastslv in Nonli Wales and South Wales, and from what he had caught at tt-e Goreedd that mnrniM tt, next meeting in the South was to be held in the neighbouring town of Llanelly. He hoped tint they would go down in overwhelming numbers to attend it. The town of Carnarvon claimed to have been associated with the Eisteddfod for upwards of a thousand years. He had already men. tionedsevwal great men whu had bwn connected with the Eis,eddfd I but there I,ht furh ib. noted Mattl??? Arnold, Lewis Mnrris, 8 Richard, William Ewart Gladstone, Lord A.berd. D?u Vaughan, and Profe $or Khys; whibi inal the hasty numenlion he should not omit the honoured and well-remembered names of Talliaiarn," Gomer" II Swansea man), 11 lago Einlyn," Eben Patd^ "Hiraethog," the Rc-v. William Ambrose, Dr. 0. Thomas, and Archdeacon Griffiths. He wm ex. ceedingly I:la,1 to see among-t them tbat day the Lord-LieU'enant of the county of Glamorpt. Con,,u.ng, Sir John ?aid that, P-P.rly ?eA the Eistitdiifod wae a great power for good in the hands of musical conductors to train up ihe yoanc ,n hab,ti ,f cncord -d divipli,?., whilst in otic :n toolf, whilst not now required w much to "sootba the eavage breast," was a great power in giving pleasure of the highest order to performer tod hearer alike, and was a potern factor in promoting civilisation and íncr8>lsillll the heppmess ot the people. (Applause.) He did no' say that; or arty of their institutions, were perfect; for toss* that the Weigh itst no faults would be to claim angelic virtues to which they bad no right. J" surely they h'Ld a right to rejoice in the gnat assemblies of their countrymen, and to ny wit, the poet: Lives there a man with soul so dead. Who never to himself bath said, Whi, is my own, my native land. (Applause.) I THE ADJUDICATORS. I The following is the list of the adjudiestorst. Babddoniaeth (Poetry): — Wtlsh MetriaiU— Ii wfa Môn; Dyfed; Gurnos. Free Metricdt—Hi. Lewis Morris; Elis Wyn o Wyrfai; Dewi M6a; Watern IVvn; Lliwdden; Datydd Morganwg. Rhyddiaktk (Prose) s—Lady Aberdage; MIll. I'how"s. SI, Anne's, Be'beads; Archdeacon Griffiths; Prof. John Rhys; Prof. 0. M. Edwards; Prof. J. E. Lloytt Prof. W. Williams; Prof. W. Edwards; Sir John Jones Jenkins; Mr. J. Coke Fowler; Mr. Thomas Gee; Mr. Benah Gwynfe Evans; Mr. D. Lleufer Thomas; Mr. Jenkin Howell; the Rev. itiomm Levi; the Rev. J. Bowen Jones; Lleurwg; tl,e Rev. D. Oliver Udwards; Mr. William Williams; Mr. J. T. Rihson; Mr. John Kobens; Mr. Joseph Rosser; Mr. C. B. Glssco- line; Mr. W. Edwards; Mr. L)ftua T. Monro; Mr. A. H. Thoma". CrriEiTHiaOAu (Translations). — The Venerable Archoeacon Howell (Llawdden) Professor D. Rowlands, B.A. I Dewi Mon). Cerddoriakth (Music), Signor Randtggcr, Royal Italian Opera Company, London; Mr. William Shakespeare, London Mr. John Thomas (Pencetdd Gwalia), London: Dr. Jo-seph Party, University College of Wales, Cardiff; and Mr. Dd, JenkiM, Mus. Bf., Atiery.twyi h. For THE National EisntDnpon Associatiom.— Mr. Jno. Thomas (Penceidd Gwalia); Mr. J. H. Robe, to. Mus. Bac. and Mr. D. Emlyn Enans. Celf (Ârt). Lady Vivian; Lady Llewelyn; Lady Jenkins Mi-s Grenfell: Mrs. Gwyn Mrs. Moore Mr-. Gilb-itson Mrs. C. Richardson Us. Chad. Bath Miss Richardson Mr. J. Milo Griffith Mr. Whitworth Wallis, F. S. A,; Mr. Jonathan Pratt, M.&HS.A.; Mr. J. Trail Taylorl Mr. S. Cym Jones, CYNON FARDD," I CONDUCTOR ON TUESDAY. -I I THE COMPETITIONS.. The fast comcetttMo w<n in the rOna=V th;ri:e Mn?. .:c:;S Cbd:?(.?;&:= W.I. DtughMr "). by B. S. Bughes, for whlcb a prize of £ 1 Is. had be- offered. There 41 competitors, and aflr the preliminary cOutA .? were selected to int b?f., e the audienc.. Dr, Parry and Mr. John Thomas (" Pencerdd Gwalia), the adjudicators, declared that the comoetiUon was one of a very high order; best, Mr. Jolin James, Swansea, who was invested by iaoj LI??elyn. ?e ?.u<.r.B (the Rev. ?.C Edward.) 'Od the adjudication on the tran?lations-(.)  Welsh to En?sh of H.pas Luddedig (" )s)w*n), Md Bythod Cymru ( I™" Gwynedd"), prize ?5;?d(t) from Eog'wl'^ H'ei.he.e? .?ec.ed t,ymn,,pr.z?. T'? catom were ,he V-n. ATChd?on Howell ( LK- dden "), Prof?snr D. Rowlands, B.A.. ad M.,? On the ar?t suoject ten c "'P0""<? been r«M.ved (best, M.- Sa?t ?'?"?, I crwy.), and on the Mc.? 29 compost M.? the best bein< th.t o Mr. Bu6. M—j. Hu-o Penm8e", rep.eMnMd hy !?o T.Vingi The next competition w.M in ?m p?"°? "Wher. bee such" (J. Bened^l.pr •«««*. There wer, 35 competitors, of whom fil" -PPord before ? he audience in the .I,, which en?)*M? smart lingering in the treble. The adjudtcato" ?e.e Mr. W. ?.hMpeM-f, Mr. John Thoms" lad Si!:n..r R?ndee?r. The pr.z. ?' ??dH M.r? Howard, Pontypridd, » In tie Rirl d,esad is white, who wa? invested by tjtdyVK?n. The ndjudic.tion of Mr. S, Cym Jones on ar WII then given as follows:— («) HMt .hMt ot meMnrea dnjwi'.ftMm < '?' p.i?..nverm.?'.or? ?.="H.m.MM (? D..In of workman's cott*ge; pria, 'dl"f Oks* or B3 30. Mr. Lloyd Neweumbe. (c) BMt dmwine ot taMMrtd mMhiatry: P"?' tU<trm<dt).or<3!i. ,Mr. W. 0<tM. T, i, on the M?!W"?'Hf? logy-its Hi.to?,it< P?iM-tiea. _? løta- <Me,' by T. L?i (tMr?ttw.t).) ?t. Bowen Jon? (Ab.r'.ondd.)-w.?nn.unK? in favur of the Rev. G. CriBths, of pe'" Ear, II. TUB OBCHISTKAt BAND ROri Con?id?tb). interest was Created oy ?"c item on the programme, which was ?eo??.t band COII,pel iti"n f?r & first pr-M of £ 50, as f^ medal to the conductor, and a second prize -f tie ?iwen by the Natio--i Society of M?'c'?'t Hie i.M? was created by the 10troductíOD of an element of rivalry between the M"? CIA@( local town«—Cardiff, Nep.,t, Lad s The subject of the competmo" was Ha^^ Symphony in D, and the competitors weN the Cardiff Orc"M.r.) S?cie.y ("dl""O' I Mr. W. A. Morgan); the Newport A.?'eur O'.1.?? Society (conduct"r, Mr. E. B. Newma ), Swansea Mosic?' 8-i.c. (conductor, b Squire). The adjudic?toM wereS?nerR? *n")?.ef. Mr, W. Shakespeare, and Mr. John rhornas. bands pl.ved in the order mentioned adjll,licad Mr. W. Shakespeare, in giviug e ?"]"j t,? on behdf of himself and c""e?')?, ?'? ?h, o.che.t.a( music in M.i. (lelig"-d *,d surprised us. We found t)? I?. Card lit gO ) t(1j Society h? an orhe.,ra well balanced. It P14yed with great delicacy and a??t'o" to tho "pc and shade, and exc?H'-nt accent It'» tU) ?. ?t'e unsteady, the finale went m ht .'?"and excellent effect. In "r' ??h.f che?. t? t'r'n? w-e perhaps hale inexpreMon—n.?qn! d?-li?-11 nI.?ti., in qu..luyof lime. T? horM.   firmer and more accumtf. but the »nd t.Moon< were rather rougher than the r^iit orchestra. T? Swansea orcht.stra pl.Y with excellent tnsemble and f.. cent. it WM .t. P'?' balanced in svn,p,tl?eti, ?pr's?,_ n *»(hJ Srs.. orche..?-C..r.t?-b..r. b',tter th"n u., !jtcond orchMtra-Newpott. Th«*y ^een^dto Iry '11 '9uif8 .?tronter accent thM '?'?' wMinexce?of lle mu..?) "?' "M, ?be :'< from the number of pfrfMOMtt. ..hich r.ilted ID ?.o s"crifice of one and I;Iveli-!bo acquirement, of a wrong forc<. W. ,,? mi.,u.? w? be?t.t.)ty played "?' ? ,pirIe. although .omewhut rougher tt?n So. l,ut hettel th.n No. 2. The I-,t movement plrr d tII grand ,pirit. On the whole wo ?"??, nr- prize to?rditf, and the ,d pr.K l" S. (Applause.) Sons by Miss Adela Ifcrtit. other .1'" Next came the adjudication upon pctry rhrm (a) Love song, Thr. P, oa«* ???".??." T?'-c?.?' did net U-4*-

on frnm a quav .¡tu.t.d ntor hp .¡te O" tl fmm » JZztZrJ' A l n«P<TZ s t Jon t»e bed 01 th8 old T??ff, tile ,'irr Ilavioi" I"iuco dlvert,d i-l? i 5 pu- E channel. He increase'n na 'e frc m 1826 to or ttie first d'ck Cardiff-may b, .etn f,om U'e follow,r" table 1826. 1833. ]&IS. 1839 ^Vessels0') j K3 1,60-" 2.822 2,921 T? el, ? l'IC9 2,822 2,927 P>"t. ]<t!.?r<-<)) ?'0.?.416.212.698.I97.5S7 Tonnai'r. J .1 <).?.t),?utf inl8;i9'att.M)uMaMtne b" iind ;» strike at the collit-ripp, b t.? f ?chn.-?fex-t'?r?t?w.t'tthetr..? Of ti e whole iiistnct h??t-.<ct.mh?.tin. 0" fl ?,i ,ti?,-r o- t,-ffc I.ich ?.Lr'.t.?"?'"?"?' J,,g t? J,?? i'o. 'I" in b pr?,- aremed it, twenty Ton# of T.,?. of y0iSJ T Iron. Coal, I, 41 1,'?.2 ?: 34,606 H' *&>$w.?* J. 13.-1 211 2 4 'Ih»* iM^e d Ir,m, of course, hut ti a l"a1rr c n«un.p»»on of coal, so that the exported Quan«i ?d >e< 110T snow the actual increase In the rod uised. A deal ot this prosperity was duo t> t'.ose genile»n#»n who took in hand t> e C"i»- aliutftion of the \i¡all.or",anhile Cii-al, which, more lIIeth,,¡j.of liansport, is .till urd for the c.nwyanCM oi minerals and In 1883 Ihp Glamorganshire and Aixrdaie to^e .r whh the land "ihtst\nd (Ithr J1rl.J. weio nansferred tn Lord But,, AnI. may »t s DI" lutme time be c'l1verl.'d Into railways. tsdor leaving t ue period of which we ar«* wo .ala,Y remind our leaders* th*t, according I" Ca| tain W. II. Smyth, R.N., K.S.F. (who, in UW, pubhs.1td "Nautical Ob-ervauons )II t." ?.t and Maritime I'??i.ity of Cardiff "), tile tram or filii road whid. at that time ran hy the side of thA canal was constructed under the firs- Act pf t'lrlian.ent ever p\8.'d for such roads. On the 21,, 01 February, 1804, ten t >ns of 4'? »«nd 70 person* w?,? drawn for nine ii,? :io ?rawwavttti? rate of five 111111>8 an hour by tHe th* n infam. power of steam, Although, J,s we h»ve »t»t d, the Glamorgan- hÎIfIt C;,llal win- it* t1d1 lock gave a great 1111" ruls. to the tia-'e *-f Cirdiff, it soon brcame vi. dent thlll the i-tcili ies for carrying uu a large vnaiitiiDf b ¡m e$ were wboa\" iu..uffident for the requirements of the district, some extensive ni •^ures SUleti ilureratlvely if 'he g-owiug \T H." 01 GlArootRansbire wastobeaccoin- mod,.ted. It has often be-n a subject of wonder t., pvr>ous u t familiar with the circumstances of the c*$* how ihe advis,it»iii y of building C\P ,ciot1!) docks ev.r suggested i^selt t, the mind of lyrd .EUI. He waq in possession (f a ltrgø vS'ate, and had u>» mtis abundant fur the satisfac- tion vf ail his personal wants. Whv. theD, did ne "lnla k in an cnterpii^e full of hazird, the e* cntion f which imposed upon him great MC¡ ,ticeS aud extreme anxiety? For a very 8impl 1'(a8 '11, and in pursuance of a line of policy which he deliberately uiav»e 1 out for bin-sell and courageously followed. Owning, 11 he did, exten- sive traits of miuflral p!olt"rU, portions of which had in forme: ye^rs t e-n leaned at wholly inade- q ia e rental*, 'd* loiushio OOD aiscovered th It tbe oniy tuaI111"wDse ri*e in tht value of his property was tne deficiency of d »ck accomn.o- da ion at the t atitfal t.,t of shipmeir. A little more than 50 veari hrtflra the late L rd HUT e sue- ceedd hi. griindfatlter it i. on record ihat the larye estate >f O..wl.i. w, let for 99 year* at a rental of £28 p.r an0\1In. Ten yeais afttrw»rds Hirwain was ^r-mted on a simitar lea^e f. r 123. The ioTtunate lesseesct t'»ese veruable G^•lcot•da3 hid worked their gales to sucli advantage that, tiley rapidly acquired fortunes compaied wvtn which lhe wvaVh veH of a Bute was incon- siderable. Naturally enough it occurred to the practical mind 01 a second m-rquess that what thee favoured sons of tortune had Mcc-mplished niight,t > S'JUle exient at least, be ttCc.)llilllsheù by ot hers. H., th-r^iore, determined upon developing ttlt- resources of his ina«(niticent estate. To his apprenen^io i Glamorganshire presented itself as a scene 01 fruitful enterprise, WIt f/lr one or two, b it for scores of e, wli> se wisely-directed efforts should enrich themse ves,diffu*r prosperity throughout th, distrlc, and pour into his coffers l legitimate stiare Itl ihe wealth thus cr-ated. 111. David Stuart made an extensive survey oi the estate and propounded various acheme* for its d.velopmen.. which subsequent events have proved to have been most judiciously Cjnceived. When, however, the Ksit>lIlC of capitalists was invited, tney objtctd to enter upon any extensive undertaking in the ab4-nee of any adequate means for gettiog their productions to mirket. The capacity 01 the Gi t- ttiTganshiie Canal was so limited that ;k, y extensive shipment of clfa) and iron at Cardiff was practically impossible. 4,ip,¡ wer^ inoreasintf in sit** and could not pass a lock only 97ft. Ionic by 27ft. wide and 131 deep over the inner sil', and, with on'y 6tt. to 8fi. 01 water on that fill at the fl odof m ap tidrs. they weie under the n#»i-eisi»y of loading out in the roadstead by mea1ls of lighters. This always a cause of delay. and often of injury to tne ships. The shallowness of the cmal itself was such that vesstl* had to load by just ilment, dro; pmg towards the gates "9 their cargo ii-c: ea-e I i iieii draught, and often completing the loading lln the outside. Besides, ve-sel8 hd to apploRcll the cinal lock bj folbv>ing the intricate course ollloe Tafi for a distance of two miles. It was in these cirCU'HB\I"\C88 tliot Lord Buttl resolved to undeitake tae removal of sucii disabilities 1\1\ inconvei iince* as the Cí!mn¡ercc of Cardiff hbour d under by the construetioit ot a proper dock. Amongst his advisers wen- ('apt.in iJe.,ufol", Ill. Teliord, Mr. Green, »nd Sir VViniam Cubit:, tut C-tplain Smyto—to "holll we have already referred—appears to have had the prin- cipal control 01 the .rk.. He subsequently be am« manager of the dl'c1< "nit first d rk- master of Cardiff. It was m 1833 that Captain Smyth took ihe mitte up in earnest, aud nfter n tour with the late Marquess of Bute Ihrouh ,he mineral districts "I GI.u,orll"n.llio e he visited C irciiff. Lt-i Bute, naving decided to make a d >C ih«*re arose the usual discussion as to the best sir". Wtiiln some pief rred the Moors, on the p,st side of the Wve, Taff, others argu"d 10 favour nf Cogan Fib, on th we-t s ide. Captain Sniyhappears to htve gone Int" the m,.tft-r very lullv, and he II! Of1oUBc<d in tavour of [Ie ettst bide. ith regaid to C'.gan 1"11, he aid, "1 saw at oncw that it was no place of refuse for a vessel of any mxenrude to run for in had weather." In thi-* remark Ciptdn Smyth refeir.d, of course, to sailing v"i. Ihe very winds whico would shut in at Cogan wdulll p ove favour bio f, fiaiUng out or the But, dock" and "bolting away down the channel." It was intended, n:( of all, to build what WitS rer1Dd a tilhp canal trher-t the West Bute 1),tek s-ttnds. The etitire length of tl,, c,nal woud be p.otett-u on eacli sidA hy st ne quay walls with towing paths, along wnich vesse s were to b* drawn to th- wit dock, at the commencement of winch an-ther rair of gates were to be placed. The es'iraatH toi these works, which were .¡.i(fWÙ by Mr. Jair.es Green, 0' was £ 70,000: hm whm con. tracs erfl 8onhf to b l«*t, although (1/1 rai engineering diHicultie* existed, no c>ntracor> culd be found to lenoer for a ,v'1\ um, ,1\ c ,1\. sequence ot th« unforeseen tiÎCI might arise in the opeiat on, cat» »ed On in hdétl a.Hr. Ut\dtr these cecums'ance*, Mr. (after- wards Sir William) Cu»-i: s w. called in, and I\t h!s suggestion tne ori jn il hlp canal was a!,andoned, arvi in lieu ther-ot nil ùp, II tidal cut or en»raitce channel was made t"rouh "iie mud from the Eastern H dlows t.. the j-hore, t. ia- k*pt open by sluices frotn "1' near thl tlock 5r;.IP. The wet dOCK or basin wan constructed prettv nearly on the original plan, but will, the addition of a 'e:L b-tin with a l'!? b,t we,- itand 11,? .?,)Ck. w.?i, neçessllry n the aban '-oimerit of the ship canal with it. sea gi,ti.e. Previous to the dock iiself b>'ing rotntnenced, 1\ channel or feeder was cu' Iroiu a point in the Tft son e two miles above the mouth of Thai stream, with the object of >upply- ingthe projected dock with u constant suop'y of fresh water. This heavy and expensive ph c • of work was rendered nec ssary by t"e fact tlo", the tidal water of the 8".t"l Channel is u"¡t.¡ ,or use in a dock, owing to the laige qUt\1 tit of mud it holds in 8upenion, and the heavy resulting tr -m it when III astat: of quietude. lh. ncoal c st of the work was L350,000, viz, £ 220,000 in hard ca»Ti and the r.ma;"dor i" Jj"H'- S "ne and timber, btained from Lc.rd Buu'm entaieR. On the 9th of October, 1839, the r.e" dock was open- d "lIIid.t gener.l and maniftstations of joy oil the put of the inhabi- tant^ In the three yeais following the op n- ing of the West Bute Dock the r .ul" ofe1 or remained aim 'St stationary, and Lord Bite mu..t, have had 111&IIV mis- givings a-* to t'e wisdom of his great oudav. Th" >uppr»riers of thn C"gai» Fill scheme, » g wholll wre the direct r- of the fHif Vale H idway Company, wer* also active in spreading discon- tent. So,iit- of L rd Bklt "a friends were s-r ou-iy alarmed by various ruin«'ui"s of tne utter unfitness of he si e t ho-en for a do k, of the marveUnus inerth -f C ignn, lIt in» ex<>rt)iiant toils about I" bem.p >>H I IIn Ih t'lv v, kw One gentlef11ar. w »s?o fojp5»etiul "f JIt precept ,iHt ntsh that II.. actually pi* tnhed t eat toe first ship that should Cntlle intit Ihe But Dock* Paragraphs pp aieo in ihe newspapers the effect ttiat the wall oi the dock h».d fallen t pieces, and that »n imuiens- sum (If inoicv wouid be. iequired to execute the reci?s,?? ry r p ,hs. Th-se fabrica-ion?, although .hey nl)." have h"d a temporary detrimental effect upon the 'rade of the port, were <II'. provp.1 by th., mcr^ise in shipmenis. In 1841 the T.IJ V^le R.;Jway "as opened fwm Cardiff to Merthyr, a ois'ance of 2i,s, and wililil? a few jeai* the onlJinal hne was doubled. Snco that time blanches have been added by the com- pany opening up rich valleys teeming wilh minerd wea1t:l. With this improved means of transit Irom the lulls to the port, the trade of the latter commenced to grow in H manner which sur- prised th most sanguine. Within a ooz«vo \ear* ol the completion ot the West Bute IVck the ship- ments of (»oal and iron ha i teached tilt! I' ll dimensions: — 1'on, 129,484 ions; coal, 1.023.903 tons. The Ir. v, 1/. tact, outran the ACj'OIH!11ol,a- 1ioll, and urgent icpre-ei tations wt r- IUI.d" ti, y 1111" :111'1' th<* management (It III estate had pasflnd into the luuds oi tAi" Buto trustees, anC they BUTE DOCKS, 1840. I BUTE DOCKS, 1891. decided to concede the applications which bad t't-ell made to them. Aec"r.ljflJy, the present East Hwe Dock was cons-ructed, from plans ovigm-by ,\rpa.rd by Sir John R'nni.e\ in con- junctIOn .th the late Mr. W. S. Clark, but subse- quently altmed to provide for various necessary oxtenMons by Mcs-rs. HdnuHngwy ."d Peaison. The whole ,f the ^taiths anJ railway arrauwe- rthnt!o1 in connection with the docks were cairied out from the plans of Mr. Clnrk, under the supeiiotendeuce of Sir William Thomas Lewis and his assistant engineers. Before the East Dock wa compl'te l the Rhymrvey Railway Company was f rmed lor the pu»p >«e of connecting the Rhymnty Valley with Cardiff, nnd thus aid the further deveh puient of the district. Previous to this the onlv means of transport from Rhymney was bv a trtllDWa" oil the Mon- inouti shire side of the river, which had its ter- minus at Newport. The new company was uicorj 0 ated in 1852, and the line w.ts opened for traffic in 1858. Fur many years the share- hddets had v, Ii II i.. return, hut since 1880 the dividends have va,ied f:0m 6 to 11 pei cent. Within a few years of the opening of the E;isr Dock it w¡¡s found that the trade win again ill ereltsing to uch an xtellt that fuither u'i <mh- modation would soon be necessary. lu 1868 tlu- But, 'Irustees obtained another Act etnpoweiing them to construct further dncks. aud the Roath Basin, the firf>t patt of kcollltieted, was opened in 1874. If wan soon seen that the scheme of 1866 uld not adequately supply the demand, at,d, in response to urgent representations made to hinl, Lord Bute decided to construct a large t;nC to ihe n(¡rlh..ea1 of the Roath 8aíD, Application wag made 10 Parliament in 1882 for the w'cr"aq. powers, ntH1, despite considerable nptI\\ ion, I\t\ ACI W'ts obt,dnet1 by virtue (If which l»rge addi- tions 1 ave heeD uiade (o 'he shipping capacity of eti., to t imp. improvt!U\eoI8 hav«- been made in the mr-chamcal appliances for load- ing ami unlol,1in o<rg'e- with the result that the total import iind exports of the Bute D 1, k- i"Nea",¡j frolll 3,635,757 tons in 1875 to 8,316,801 tons in 1884. (.r, 1ft < thei woi ct. 15 per cent, not- vát.lIst ¡(J\¡j.g that the dock ahM was tile ame 1/; both periods. lie new dock, which wnS orv-ned on August 24, 1887. was rmally inaut'u ated, amidst great pubic rejoicing, by the Marquees of Bute on Jmuar;. 31, 1883. It ba* a water area of otiotit 33 ..cre.. and is upwards cf 2,400fi, long and 600ft. wide. bo to- 01 the dock is 43f. Sin. below tll level of thp (o.\il1! and the «iep*h of water; langesfrom 36ft. to 26ft., ae, or.Iiiig to the tiue. 'li^e dock is e»tir*ly enclosed with walls of ma-oioy, thus aff^r-'i- g the largest pracieabl'' extent ,t qu"y.g" w,.n R the gre"test. f.(;il?ti for loading ami di,,?l,ag,?g v8tiel". The gti. of quay 'I'Cf, including the j.Lly, is 7,520 lin_nt fe> or nearly I mile. The area 0/ quay -pace ♦or the storing ot cargoes and the gi-nerai carry- in on of the trade of he dock is over 60aiTes, and the capacity id the dock is equ-d io an additional iradeof ov r 5,000.000 tons per annum. On the j. t y a wnrehoi.s 400n. 1 nig Ii", been built, fitted with movable (rII 5 of the most modern con- struction to di-eh«rge and load goods from or to the railw y ■ rue s direct for Iheir destination, and aiespecia..y ns-ful for the loading of Manchester and litlh r OOIS coming direC from the shippt.-r». nl" o •!< is appioac»i-d from the Hoath Basin by magnificent lock (Hia lare.1 in the world), 80ft. >n width and 600ft. long between the gates,, viiio a ptli of waver over the sdh* of 36ft't rdinaiy sprmga aut 26f'. a! ortlin?r, nep" (the -ame dej th as the entrance lock 10 'h e Roath uaill),1 1'he are worked by hydraulic ",achme,y, ind the awing bridge across Ihe Jock 1.. iH-en designed to carry the ieaviest traffic.. \I1I n,tI:r., t1 n:V anhth:n;, loading or discharging vessel^, and f"»r other pur-, p hC > C\llIIICCtCt1 with the working of the dock, rUH tlf fh 1J11JSt moderll ùe.,it.:° and conitruction, of unusual power, and of yr< at^r capacity than any- thing hitherto in u*e. With a view to 8nve breakage of coal, to ship it in as gooJ condition a possibl-, and to meet the convenience of vessels! t)yin.-t,?? nece>sd y for moving from ti.? :rl ;f 1'h'tY;i.'t'rf'old I ing, I ht, COld Is shipped b? means nf a p\t,em of movable ydraubc cranes and other appliances, winch aw beeu invrirei anti patent-d by Sir Wiban. 11 Quas Lewi-, t'gnt aiul manager t the Bute Docks Estate, and Mr. ?nCI:?llical engineer of the Bu'e Do.k, By meaus or t'ds iuvention Vf3<els can, t". loaded in a much shorter tim than by the old system, and not only is the 1, Fdi.g m- ci'"isVd, bui the labour of trimming I minimised, and 1 iiei e can be but li'll.?oub that tl,i? proved system will ill time supersede all other ap- tdianc*- flr the hiplIIent uf coal. In addition t >■ cpvivage ulr- ady alluded to, there are many ac:f.s <t i nimi abutting the quay side of the ,,W dock evot d to the limber trade, and 'hi |sv>t*mof rails and cranes alongside admit -[ ,Ii kinds of timber being haded direct o;* stored on the ;.dj.i?i,,gIA??., is also provided for steamers to bl,,ck-st.,k their 'c;rgcea of d(\a;t &c., "ud load 'heir outward j c h'i'iim in less timo even than in Lf,uon 1"18 Marquess of Bute li?? obtained powers tor wider- ill t.b- entrance to the docks by constructing aj new ♦•mbankment and removing the Ioaci-poi ii >n .»i the Low-water ri?r The work is uow be, Ir- with. 1. 1887 tha But. Docks Comp ,ny w, incor- yora t ^o, uu d <'r powers oi an Act obtained in tho | i*• v ou" year. It it tf: £ 3.500,000, alld 1ht directors of thj comoany are h :\1.u:qut.¡¡S of Huto (chairman), Mr Frtùencl< Pit-nan (deputy chaim au), Lord Edmund 14 <-vm-d Talb >r. "and Mr. Edward G^-rgn Sneyd. i: William Th:»>as Lewis iq the geuer-i ""af ager, and M,. F, i?k J. v. thU Alio ytoyerby tiausftrred t.) 'he Bute Docks Company comprised about 500 acres, and included a dock are. of 1131 oeros, includin the new Roath Dock. The Vtdue of the property was put down at R3 000,UC0 when power was being sought in Ptirlia. men1 at tile beginning of 1885 I v dispose of it to the Taff Vale RailwhY Company. Rut this did not include the new lio-tti Dock, lor which an addi- tional i500,000w.istobep-Aid. A noteworthf clr. cumstance in connection with the transfer of tlih undertaking wa* tha* the whole of thai per cent, debenture stock, 1800,000, issued at par, w,is sub- scribed for within "n hour from the time that tlie li-ts were opened. The construction of the Bute Docks, although the chief, has not b..en the only factor in the de- velopment of the shipping accommodation of the port. Beneath the Bheltnr of the bold headland upon which stands I'enaith Church (I hilt woll. known landmark) the Ely Tidal Harbour and tha Penarth Docks asinrd facilities for shipping a not inconsiderable quantity ot coal. The area of the original dock was 17J acres. It was constructed In the year 1857 by the Penaith Dock Company, from wnoiii it was leased t'v the Taff Vale Railwa, Company for term of 999 years. In the year 1880 the leasing company obtained Parliamentary powers by i,,u?, ,f which they enlarged the Penarth Deck by 5 £ acr- s. The d.,i portion of ihe ,¡"ek was also ¡.sed to the TAØ Vale Rail- way Comp_ny. For many years these dm'ks were w? ?k?,i ,t I.,s to the le,se??, but for 8Ullle time previoua to the opening of the Harry Dock" profit was realised. When Baity was opened the shipments ot Penarth went down to about half what the p-evi usiy were, bul they are now improving again. I he Barry Dock, which is also within the port of Cardiff, was opened in July, 1889, and the shipments now average about four million tons a ,e. Penarth, as we h"e atRted, h,s suffered ;iioet from llii? diversion of traffic. No'with.,and- ing the goat ex ension of dncks wi'hiD the port of, Car-tiff within the past ten years shippers and merchant* are »gain clamouring for mor* dock 1If.:comIDodlltioo, and a movemen' 18 now on foot for the formation of a harbour trust, but ao far little progress lims been made. From the of the Navigation and Shipping of the United Kingdom," prepare' by the Board of Trade. it wil! be seen that Caidiff r-trius as the largest port in the United Kingdom, tot- shipping cleared with cargoes to foreign countries and British po^s< scions. In the year 11890 the el."r"lIce. were as follow Cardiff 5,458,266 ton. register. L,d 5,02 ,777 Liverpool 4,869,7(3 Ti T' ne Ports 4,7^,592 „ N? I 1,*12.988 Sw,.?? Mfi.? Brhtol 177,360 „ Gloumter 34 642 For lh. ?..p.,t f C.rdilf hoJjs the proud ?pl?s, i.. of neing the prcruir port in the world (surpassing enn the whole of the Tyne p.,t-). lis shlpmnt., f"reign alone, in th. following years (excluding bunkers) In year 'M "312 ton.. °*/ 1&:0 ..1?142,766 'M0 -:?4 997450 Increasing In the year 1890 to .9,481,802 „ Coal shipments (coastwise and foreign), exclu- sive "I bunker coal, for the year ending December I 31, 1890 Cardiff 10,712,196 tons. The Tyne P,t- North Shields 338,630 tons. Th. ;I?,, ,? I h "?,,?d: 7b8:'?34 Newcastle. 8,168,0.5 ———— 9,264,869 Adding together the coal, coke, and patent fuel f., Mie p,?,t 1,.tye.? find they .unt to 12,250,652 tons, and this is without taking into ac,r>oun< that ?)?ipp.d f., the use of tuts, &c. II\C;¡,I,:Ji.P:resn 0:8'n'he 1m- ports and e.co,t..t the perid, slated b?l.? show the increased trade at those docks alone very | clearly Tear. Imports. Espart., Total. Tons. Ton*. Tont, 1840 451 45,591 46.042 | i860 2:6,135 P.019.845 2,225,980 188U 1,041,313 5,249,824 6,291,137 1839 1,538,^20 8.161, f88 9.100,518 The following table shows the number of vessels on the register in the port of Cardiff on the 31st of Dtcembt-r, 1889, und 1890:— Sailing. Steam. Total. Year. 1- N- Register. NO. Register. No. Register. 1889 70 6,895 228 164, £ 41 298 161,436 1890 70 7.2. 10 237 166,729 307 J 173,979 It J; Ktuslactory to pb.rve that the import luue of the port is increasing steadily, and pro-¡ tnle9 ere long t > assume important dimensions, Last year ,850,0 00 cwts. of .,n ,nd ?aour.r.f t?c ",[,,e f R954,000, wre impoited. The iron ore imported was 547,252 tons, 01 the value of L403,550, but this was hi-1 w the average, in consequence of the depressed ..laic of the iron trade. The petroleum trade has gr wn in a remarkable manner recently, and in 1890 them was imported 2,792.931 gals., of the value"¡ £5"196. The timber of various kinds impotteu j;t?t, year was 604,338 loads, of '??' t? 'a'L  of 1816,227. Happily lor Cirdiff, the great railway companies have co-operated with the owners of the docks to p'ace the port in a favourable position for carrying on an extensive import, trade. There is direct communication from llie s-dp's Ride in the docks t,) IIU parts of the k1ndom by vniious competing lines, iucludion the WwUru, the London and North Western, Midland, the Taff Vole, and I the Rhymney Railways. By these lines CmlitT is distant only four hours from London, about five hours from Liverpool, five hours from Birmingham, and a little more than IIn hour from Bristol. The imports of the Bute Docks in tonslllst year were I Tons. Iron ore$75,6t8 2ig Iron and ironwork 116435 e.?..?..?.? 11: Pitwood 401,122 Grain and A 176,717 General 123,711 Total .1,425.846 The East Moors in the neighbourhood of the docks is being taken up by manufacturing com- panies. The Tharsis Copp r have extensive works therA, and the Dowlais lion Company have taken neatly 100 acres of land, on which they have erected four blast ftirnacto, with the necessary machinery for driving the same, and large steel works for the manufacture of plates, &c. These works give employment to a large number of workmen, and will, it is hoped, be followed by several other large manufacturing companies, ns the establishment of manufactories adjacent to water communication means a great saving in the carriae of materials to and from "ork. situated inland which do a large foreign export business. In addition to the Bute Docks Company's ware- housesanJ transit sheds, which aie calculated to hold between 40,000 and 50,000 tons, several pri- vate firms have large warehouses and manufac- tories on the quayage of the various docks, among the largest of which may be noticed the mills of Messrs. Spillers and Bakers' (Limited). Near to are the mills of Messrs. James Tucker (Limited), and both firms have built ample warehouse accommodation and are arranging for further extensions. Ample provision is made for ship repairs of any magnitude. There are eight private graving and floating docks, ranging up to 600ft. in length, and one public graving dock 600ft. There is every initiation of a further development of both the export and import trade of thepoit, as new collieries are being *unk and extended, and Cardiff is becoming recognised as the best dis- tributing centre for the teeming population of South Wales.