The Llanelly Mercury and South Wales Advertiser

AMONG THE ZULUS. — SANATORIUM OF OuR LADY OF GRACES," ESTCOURT, NATAL, SOUTH AFRICA, March 18th, 1897. A snake, a cobra, 26 feet long! Ok! what a monster! I did not see him alive, hub his skin was unfolded for my inspection by the Catholic priest of Newcastle, Father Ford, a few days ago. I have had no opportunity of learning the pedigree and biography of this charming reptile, but he appears to have inherited the spite of the great old serpent of Eden, for his last hours were spent in deadly conflict with the Catholic priest. Father Ford was riding through a field when the brute sprang at him. There was a sharp encounter, but the priest shot the serpent through the head. The animal was afterwards skinned, and it was the skin I saw 26 feet long and beautifully speckled. Goodness gracious what's that ? Thunder and lightning, why the world appears on lire, and oh! such thunder. But oh see the windows are being smashed fifty panes of glass riddled in a few minutes. Hail stones as big as hen eggs are flying down. The noise on the corrugated iron is fearful. It is like the end of the world. The nuns are getting under safe cover. But two persons have already been cut on the face severely by the hail stones. This represents a storm of hail that burst over Estcourt on last Friday week. In former days I was often caught in these grand thunder storms in the great Karoo in the Cape Colony; but in Natal during summer you have an average of two supremely grand thunder storms each week. They exhibit nature in full splendour and power. Quite recently I visited a real Zulu Kraal. It was on the top of a high hill. The chief re- ceived me very graciously, and in due course, introduced me to his wives, a little regiment, each having her own hut, in which she keeps her own children. Each lady was loosely encased in a blanket which serves as a bed at night, and as a state dress when white visitors are received. The children were free of all encumbrance of dress, except the girls who wore an Eye's apron about a foot square, embordered with beads. I bent lowly, and on all fours crept into the chief's own hut. The entrance to a Kaffir hut is only sufficient to admit one person at a time, and so low that you have to enter on hands and feet, but once within, it is clean, cool and com- fortable. There is jib' window, hence the cool- ness and there is no chimney, for the cooking (little does the Kaffir) is done outside. The shape of a Kaffir's hut is exactly like a bee-hive large enough to seat twenty persons. Th& material of which it is formed is first a frame-work of saplings or any bendable wood, then straw tied together in a most artistic fashion, the whole is made on the outside per- fectly smooth the floor within is of cow dung and burnt wood, tempered into a cement hard as steel, and polished quite brightly. The articles of furniture—barely what are wanted, not a useless article, mealies and snuff and mealie beer, assegais or spears, and their long and short handles—constitute the stock in trade. The women work, the men hunt and fight when required, but all lead an ■ easy, quiet, happy life. The chief's wealth con- sists in cattle. The girls, when marriageable, are sold to the coming bridegroom at ten or twelve oxen each, and a metal pot and wooden spoon. The oxen are given to the father, and the pot ,and spoon fo the mother. You will see, therefore, that children are a Source of wealth to the Zulu, and the more children he has the richer he becomes. Hence polygamy. Here then is a difficulty that Christianity lueets in dealing with the Kaffirs. You never see a. deformed Kaffir, nor a cripple, for if children are not well formed, and healthy, they are-well not killed, but left to die. The ease with which the Kaffirs have always lived makes it difficult to induce them to work; servants will rarely work for over six Months in the year; when they get their wages and return to their kraal, where they bask in the sun and eat mealies, and drink mealie beer and dance and sing and laugh for six months tnore. Hence you must have two strings to your how.; that is, two sets of servants to meet your Wants the whole year out. Faithfully yours, JAMES O'HAIRE. March 19th, 1897. Natal, once a part of Zululand, is now a British Colony. From north to south it is 255 miles J°ng; from west to east 160 miles. The climate is hot, charming, very healthy. The population is: Zulus, 500,000; Whites, 45,000; Indians, 42,000. The colony is governed by its own lws-Home Rule. The Queen's representa- tive has less trouble and the people more self reliance. English magistrates have charge of districts, btilt under them Zulu chiefs, and under the Zulu chiefs, what we call Indunas. The police are White and Zulu. The Zulu police arrest Only coloured people. They have a uniform, but never wear shoes, they are bare legged and bare footed. Indeed, it would be a pity and a shame to cover the splendidly formed leg and foot of a Zulu. The Kaffirs and Indians all Wisely go barefooted. I now turn back to the subject of my first three letters already published by you, and gamely Catholic Missionary Work in Natal." Way I premise that the Catholic Vicariate of !1tal and Natal as a political colony mean widely different things. The Vicariate of Natal, of Which Bishop of Olivet is Vicar Apostolic, is a.r more extensive than Natal Colony, for it ?braces, Pondoland, Swaziland, Kaffmria, and ?hila.Bd An enormous charge for one Bishop. ?y remarks hitherto have been confined to •Natal itself because up to this I ha.ve not travelled beyond the political boundaries of Natal. I write as a Catholic traveller, and as snch llly heart swells with gratitude to God who has s° signally blessed the efforts of Catholic ??. ssionaries in this colony, and hence my Expressions of admiration at what is being done for the Zulus, the Indians, and the Europeans. I will close this letter by a. few words about the Religious Orders of Women and their work In Natal, :p I have already written of the nuns of the ecIOUs Blood who are working side by side \Vlth the Prappist Monks. Their work is exclusjveiy for the Zulu girls. There are 200 of those holy sisters in convents pattered along the line of the nineteen Prap- Plst's missions. They have day schools, and industrial sChools, and orphanages, all for the Zulus. Their ^°rk is one of deepest self-abnegation, and Interest in souls, and love of God. But I now ?ome to other Orders. The sisters of Nazereth -have a house in the Berea, Durban—a very fine tlollge) with extensive grounds. But they are "together overcrowded. They must build. ?hese sisters are so well-known in England that I need not say more of them. Th,Y have seven establshments in South ^»tA rica. Then there are the Dominicans ot koru I wrote in my second letter on the SSlons of Oakford. There is also a Dominican Convent in New- ? le doing substantial work, and there is a third Dominican Convent in Zululand. Next comes the order of the Holy Family. They have a Noviciafe in "Maria Stella" Durban, an oTphanag-e at the Bluff, and very large day and boarding schools in Durban, and also at Peitermaritzburg, as well as an orphan- age at the latter city, and the care of the Indian day schools in the same two town*. They are devoted to Zulu and Indian work, and also to Europeans. Their schools for young ladies rank among the first schools in Natal, and would be highly prized in the first cities of Europe. Finally there are the Sisters Hos- pitallers of Saint Augustin." There is a French cloistered order, but many of the subjects are Irish. They want Irish subjects badly, or English speaking subjects. I would recommend strongly young ladies in England or Ireland, who have, first, a desire for the religious life second, an aptitude for education or nursing the sick, and third, an inclination for the foreign missions, to apply to the Rev. mother of this convent with the view of devoting their lives to this apostolic propaganda. This is a very old order, dating brick to the 12th century. Their houses are chiefly in France and America. In Natal they have their establish- ments (vice) at Durban, Estcourt and Lady- smith. They have day schools and young ladies' boarding schools, orphanages and sanatorium, patronised by non-Catholics as well as by Catholics. Their convents are magnificently situated. Indeed, they have the most healthy and picturesque positions in all Natal. Yours faithfully, JAMES O'HAIRE.

AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION IN CABMARTHENSHIRE. PROPOSED MODEL FARM. A meeting of Carmarthenshire agriculturists, convened by Mr. W. N. Jones, Tirydail (chair- man of the County Council), was held at the Town Hall, Carmarthen, on Thursday afternoon. Mr. Jones presided, and explained that they had been called together owing to a suggestion made to him that something more practical and lasting should be done by the County Council in the interests of agriculture. it had also been urged upon him that a practical teacher should be employed for Carmarthenshire alone, and that possibly a model training farm could be established in the county. The Council, at present, spent k-500 a year upon agricultural education in connection with the Aberystwyth College, who sent Professor Parry round to instruct. Bat that gentleman had to go round several other counties, and the idea was to have an instructor for Carmarthenshire alone. Several farmers having spoken their views, the Chairman said it seemed to him that they favoured the movement, and, in order to further the matter, he would place a notice of motion on the agenda of the next County Council meeting-" That a special committee be appointed to gather and tabulate evidence all round the county." In the meantime, he hoped each one present would convene a meeting of the agriculturists in his own district, and discuss the question, in order to be prepared with definite evidence when the committee asked for it.' Feeling might not be ripe enough to justify the Council spending £ "5,000 or £ 6,000 in the purchase of a farm just yet, perhaps, but the other part of the scheme, to his mind, was quite feasible and very desirous (" Hear, hear").

FOR AGRICULTURALISTS. BROAD RED CLOVER. Red clover, perhaps the most important fodder plant in cultivation, forms an excellent preparation for cereals, especially for wheat, and requires a good fertile soil that has not grown clover for some years. It luxuriates in stiff, rich land, abounding in humas, and free from stagnant water is suitable for cold, wet ground and dry, sandy or calcarious soils; suffers from dry, frosty spring weather; aud is some- times uprooted in loose soils by alternative freezing and thawing during winter, though thorough rolling or an autumn dressing of farmyard manure obviates this eviL The crop must be cut some time before flowering, since the herbage deteriorates in nutritive value and digestibility with age; and as grazing or frequent mowing directly decreases the yield, two cuttings only should be taken in the year. The green produce makes wholesome food for stock, bat it is not adapted for making into hay, because the very nutritive and brittle leaves readily breakoff in moving. For this reason hay should be turned as little as possible. Stebler recommends the crop being either made into stooks after lying for two days in swathe, or dried in sheaves. The average yield of hay per acre has been estimated as follows Sprengel, 32 to 48 cwts., in proportion as the season is less or more moist; Werner, 48 cwts.; Langethal and Krafft, 32 to 48 cwts., according to the character of the land; and Hani, 56 to 68 cwts. on good soils. The seed, which is most profitably saved from the second cutting, is mature when the flower-heads are changing in colour from brown to black. Very little produce is yielded after the seed crop is cut, as the stems die down. Threshing on the field prevents loss. Dodder is a frequent impurity in fo I-eigii clovers; and plantain, docks (Rumex obtusifolius et R. Pratensis), sorrell (Rumex ace- tasella) and other weeds are present in many samples. Plantain seed can only be sieved out before the clover is shelled. Adulteration is seldom attempted, but fraudulent substitution, such as the describing of American seed as English, is by no means uncommon. The nationality for red clover is of great importance, as the various types cultivated in countries possess widely varying characteristics. English strains produce tall, succulent and enduring plants, and should be preferred to all of foreign prowth; Swiss, Styrian and biiesian are hardy, enduring and of luxuriant habit; French and Italian are lasting and American are undesireable as they are very susceptible to cold, and do not yield so abundantly as those of Europe. Good commercial seed should have 98 per cent. of purity and 90 per cent. of germination, about 181bs. being usually sown per acre during March and April, preferably with a thin crop of oats, which will be cut green. It is suitable only for alternate husbandry and if hay be desired, should be sown with a mixture of grasses. As a general rule mixtures in which red clover predominates, give better results than pure clover. In conjunction with Timothy and Italian rye-grass, it is speedily adapted for rapidly covering bare patches in deficient lays; and it is often associated with trefoil, Italian rye-grass, sainfoin and lucerne. Nitrogenous manures are undesirable, gyspum, basic slag and woodashes giving the best results of all fertilisers. Clover-sickness," the name given to the disease which causes the well-known weakly and dwindling growth of clovers, is indirectly attributable to the crop recurring too frequently, and without alteration, on the same land. No remedy exists, except that of allowing from 8 to 12 years to elapse before again sowing clover. Clover dodder (Cuscutetrifoli) is unfortunately too well-known to need description. The seeds are dull brown- in colour, and when seen under a strong I lens, minutely granular orpitted on the outside. Careful sifting of all clover seeds and the sowing only of those of English production are the best preventives of attack. At the first sign of the yellow patches in fields, all clover plants should be removed for a width of 18 inches round the infested area, the dodder being at the same time carefully raked together and burned. Clover rape (Orobanche minor) is a less frequent parasite, the roots of which penetrate into clover roots. In- fested fields should at once be sown down with crass seeds. o- WILLIAM TOOGOOD, Southampton

I THE SEASON OVER. 1..d iJ, ? -i 1> I THE TWO CONCLUDING MATCHES. I [Br OUR Foiwanr. CORRESPONDENT.] -L -1 1 Llanelly played the concluding matches of the football season on Saturday and Monday, with Rockcliffe and Birkenhead respectively. My readers, probably, will not expect a minute criticism of the game such as I have been in the habit of giving throughout the season. A word or two in passing, however, has to be said. Both matches served to shew off Llanelly's superb power of combination. On Saturday, the lockcliffe encounter was played off in a hurricane. I thiuk, altogether it was the very worst condition of weather in which it has been my fortune to fight my way to Stradey. Having regard to the gale, it was a remarkable tribute to the game in Llanelly to find about a thousand persons present on the occasion, waiting for the commencement of operations. Considering the state of the weather, it was surprising that such a meritorous exhibition of the game as that presented was given. The Scarlets were simply great at all points of the game, and excepting long kicking they were undoubtedly superior to then- opponents at all points. On Easter Monday the conditions were far more favourable to good football, and the ex- ceedingly large crowd who assembled on the occa- sion certainly got what they had paid to see n thoroughly interesting and. enjoyable game. Altogether, the contest was well worth looking at, and the Scarlets were obviously in the pink of con- dition. The Birkenhead Wanderers were points inferior to the homesters and eventually had to ac- knowledge defeat to the tune of 5 goals, 2 tries, to nil. Thus concluded a season that will be ever memor- able in theaunals of the Llanelly team. All through the Scarlets have made a fine shew, and I, for one, consider that despite the defeat by Gloucester, we should do something real in celebration of the season.

I LOCAL FOOTBALL MATCHES. I LLANELLY V. RocKC LIFFE. -This match was played on Saturday in most unfavourable weather. Indeed, nothing short of a perfect gale was blowing, and the game had in consequence to be delayed for an hour. The homesters were in grand fettle and played a sterling game. At the close the score was Llanelly, 1 goal, 1 try Rockcliffe, nil. LLANELLY V. BIRKENHEAD.—This, the conclud- ing match of the Llanelly season, was played on Easter Monday before a large crowd of spectators. Once again the Scarlets were in irresistible form I and won in a canter by 5 goals, 2 tries, to nii. INTERMEDIATE V. PUPIL TEACHE:&5.-The above match was played on Thursday last on Stradey ground, when the last and the best record in Llan- elly, viz., that of the P.T.'s was broken by a second Gloucester team, which is the well known record team (Intermediate). The game was evenly con- tested throughout, especially during the first half, when the Intermediate boys, as we are glad to state, put the other side strictly on the defensive, but this was mainly due to their having a strong wind in their favour. In about quarter of an hour after the start a free kick was awarded to the Intermediate through bad play of one of the opposing halves, which kick resulted in a goal being scored. This naturally infused a great deal of spirit into the boys of both sides, and, of course, this made the game keener. The above (the penalty goal for Intermediate) was the only score of the first half. The second half was commenced by a splendid kick off by James Abel (Intermediate), but now the P.T.'s had the wind in their favour and consequently kept the Intermediate on the defensive. Most of the heeling out was in favour of the teachers during this half, but this, however, was marred by the play of the half-back which also spoiled the pretty playing of the other half- back (J. L. Hopkins), and through a clever bit of work on the part of the latter he scored an unex- pected try. The former half-back, completely outwitted by his opposing half, also threw away many of the chances of the threequarters. The teachers, however, registered another try to their score during this half, and seemed likely to be the wiuners until the last minute, when the Intermediate, by means of Gee, scored and converted), try by a splendid kick. This completed the score of the second half. A most fair referee was found in Mr. Wm. Davies, cricket pro. for Llanelly Cricket Club. Final score: Intermediate, 2 goals (1 penalty); Teachers, 2 tries.

I HEliMON EVENING SCHOOL. I r I INTERESTING PROCEEDINGS. I I Mr. John Davies, master of the abovf Board School, has conducted a most sccessiul evening school during the past session. The attendance throughout has been highly satisfactory and the Inspector was highly pleased with the work done. As a proof of their esteem of their teacher, the pupils decided to present him with a splendid and costly painting of himself executed by Messrs. A. and G. Taylor, Swansea. On Friday evening the school met to hand formally the painting to the recipient. All sat down to a splendid spread of tea and cake, the gift of Mr. and Mrs. Davies, aud every one did justice to the good things offered. After the tables were cleared, Mr. David Davies, Upper Portland House, was voted to the chair, and delivered a warm and spirited address. Songs and recitations were given by the boys, and in addition, Messrs. J. Thomas, clerk to the Board, and William Evans, Normal College, Bangor, (formerly a pupil teacher under Mr. Davies) favoured the company with splendid solos. During the meeting Mr. J. Humphrey Phillips was called upon to present the portrait, which he did in a facetious manner, and Mr. Davies responded in warm and touching terms and promised to devote his best energes to assist all who were anxious to embrace the advantages offered. Daeth term yr Ysgol Nos i ben, 'Rol tymhor iraifch o 'studio, Inspector Williams rodd amen Pan Íll nos Iau'u eill pasio Cerddasom oil o gam i gam, Hyd lwybrau addysg swynol, Ac nid oedd dychryn yr exam" Ar neb o blant yr ysgol. Llynoasom, hens, bryd o'r te Rhagoraf fu yn Hermon, Nid oes gwell partners dan y ne', Na Davies a'i ddys^vblion A Mrs. Davies bi.r cl >.i. Am Isuiw'r t'ord nii tuaelu, A( urn flyayddau maith i ddod, DoeJ iechyd da i'r teulu. Yr athraw ffyddlon, am ei waitu I'r Ysgol Nos, ganmolir, A siarad heno yn ei iaith, Wija'r clarltiii hat-dd gatifyddir; Os dygwydd Davies fod yn hir Rhyw dro cyn dod o'i neges, Bydd Davies arall ar y mur Yn cadw'i le yn gyues. Ac wrth derfynn pwt ogan Fel yraa heb fyfyrio, Trwy spectol ffydd rwy'n spio'n mla'n At ddechreu'r Ysgol eto Y gauaf nesaf, eto awn, At wybodaethau newydd, Os byw ac iach pryd hyny, cawn Fyn'd rhagom at berffeitbrwydd.

I HOMOCEA. WHAT COMFOET IT BEINGS and how it causes pain to disappear can only be realized by those who use it. In all Aches and Pains, 1 Colds, Chaps, and Chilblaias if IT TOUCHES THE SPOT" and soothes the aching part.

I ELEPHANT'S GOOD FRIDAY 1 I FROLIC AT NEATH. I ATTACKS PUBLIC-HOUSES AND CHASES I A POLICEMAN. An elephant woke up the inhabitants of Neath at an early hour on Good Friday. The animal forms part of Lord John Sangers' circus, which was being removed from Neach to Glynneath. It was then four o'clock, and the elephant, attached to a van, no sooner came in sight; of the Oak public- house than it became furious, and, overcoming restraint, attacked the inoffensive hostelry with much determination. After demolishing a portion of the frontage and tearing up the pavement, the animal turned into Wind-street. Whether it needed refreshment or not is not pre- cisely known, but in the street mentioned the elephant made a raid on the Three Cranes; but; Landlord Roberts would not respond to the call, and the animal passed on to Councillor Llewelyn's provision establishment, which consists of three shops. One of the window, was shivered to atoms. Of course, the greatest excitement prevailed. The windows on both sides of the streets were thrown up, and the career of the elephant was watched with interest, accompanied by not a little fear. The elephant, no doubt actuated by that aversion held by lawless people towards policemen, selected Police-constable Ben Davies, and made a bolt after him, but did not succeed in accomplishing the intended vengeance, for just at this time the traces connecting the elephant with the van were cut, and after a good deal of physical persuasion, applied by the stout poles, the huge beast was reduced to a state of subjection. The elephant has the reputation of being a dangerous animal, and it is stated that it recently chased a policeman in London. The guardian of the peace, like Davies of Neath, escaped. About zE20 worth of damage was done at Neath. On Friday the circus was at Glynneatb.

TEA AND SALE OF WORK AT TABERNACLE CHAPEL. A HIGHLY INTERESTING EVENT. An interesting and successful innovation was made this year in the Easter tea held under the auspices of Tabernacle Chapel. The innovation took the form of a sale of work, which was con- ducted in the schoolroom, while the tea was held in the chapel, as in former years. We warmly congratulate the promoters of the event on the innovation, which was a success in every sense of the word. Ever since Tabernacle Chapel was founded, the Good Friday tea has been a prominent event in the history of the cause. If we mistake not, the memorial stone of the beautiful structure facing the People's Park was laid on a Good Friday, and it is not inappropriate, therefore, that the anniverary of the cause should be celebrated in a special manner. Those who know anything of the lines on which the event has from year to year been conducted will be the first to concede that the good folk at Tabernacle have left no stone unturned with a view of guaranteeing the enjoyment and interest of the people gathering together on the occasion. Without losing sight of the success of the event in former years, we believe the tea and sale of work on Good Friday of last week was the most successful in the annals of the cause. The addition of what may be called a miniature bazaar considerably increased the amount of labour associated with thefunction, but this additional work found ample compensation in a larger attendance and a larger ingathering of the spoils." Both tea and bazaar were splendidly conducted, the at.range- ments for each section of the joint event having been well conceived and admirably executed. Special thanks are due to the ladies, for their preparation for the event, and for the skill and gracefulness e*.vil>ited while presiding over the various depart- ments on Friday. The proportions of the function may be gauged from the fact that over a thousand people partook of tea. The ladies presiding at the tables were:-Miss Mary Jones, Caerelms, assisted by Miss E. ,M. Jones, Caerelms, and Miss S. H. Thomas, Marble Hall-road Mrs. Wm. Morris, Prospect-place, assisted by Miss Margaret Morris, and Miss Susy Rees Mrs. William Davies, Pad- dock-stret, assisted by Miss M. E. Davies, and Mrs. Daniel Thomas, Craddock-street Mrs. Fred Jones, Old Castle-road, assisted by Miss M. E. Morgans, and Miss Margaret Jones Mrs. Lloyd" 18, Upper Park-street assisted by Miss Morgan Mrs. David Thomas, Station-road, assisted by Miss Hannah Rees, and Miss Sarah Ann Thomas Mrs. J. Griffiths, Stags' Head, assisted by Miss Lizzie Griffiths; Mrs. Daniel Davies, assisted by Miss Mary Charles, Miss L. A. Thomas, Miss Jones, and Miss Edwards Mrs. John, Wern-road, and Miss Edwards, Bigyn-road; Miss Nicholas, Sandy. assisted by Miss Sarah Ann Richards and Miss Mary Nicholas Mrs. Treharne, Gatygarn, assisted by Miss Sarah Treharne, and Miss Lizzie Treharne Miss James, Goring-road, assisted by Miss H. James, Miss M. A. Thomas, and Miss Thomas, Old Castle- road Miss M. H. Thomas, assisted by Miss Catherine Thomas, Miss L. Morgan, and Miss Jane Marks Mrs. Hughes, Swan-street, and Miss Mary Ann Thomas, Prospect-place Mrs. Sarah Francis, Forge, and Miss Catherine Francis. Those in charge of the bread and butter department were Mrs. James Stephens, Mrs. D. Williams, Forge, Mrs. James Thomas, Murray-street, Mrs. Jones, Ralph-terrace, Mrs. William Davies, Old Castle- road, Miss Mary Davies, Bwlch. The cake cutters were: Messrs. Daniel Davies, James-street; Wm. Davies, Old Castle-road Thomas J. Lloyd, Spring Gardens. In the kitchen were: Mrs. Thomas,Mount Pleasant, Mrs. Harries, Messrs. J. Lewis Furnace Griffith Francis. Forge; David Williams, Forge; David Thomas John, Old Castle Road. Assistance was also rendered by Messrs. C. Meudwy Davies, Elias Jenkins, J. D. Griffiths, J. Parry, Evan Thomas, Henry Jones, William Charles, John Treharne, Griffith Nicholas, David Morgan, David Charles, Josiah Bassett, William Morris, David B. Griffiths, Gwilym Dummer, William Dummer, John Williams, Inspector Thomas, J. Llewellyn, Rhys Richards, David Francis, Daniel Thomas, Simon Williams, Lewis Morgan, F. Jones, Ben Davies, and J. D. Beynoil. THE BAZAAR. I List of Stallholders :-Stall No. 1: Symphonium, 1 Mr. John Williams, Old Castle-road. Stall No. 2 I Linen and Fancy Stall, Mrs. C. Meudwy Davies, Mrs. Rhys Richards, and Miss Phillips. Stall No. 3 Millinery and Fancy Stall, Mrs. William Dummer, Mrs. J. D. Beynon, Mrs. Wilson, and Mrs. Williams. Stall No. 4, Refreshments, Mrs. Daniel Davies, James-street, Miss Mary Charles, Mrs. Evans, Usk, and Miss Howells. Stall No. 5, Fancy things, Mrs. D. Wynne Evans, Mrs. Richmond, Miss Ricnmond, Miss Ellen Griffiths, and Miss Griffiths (Stag's Head). Stall No. 0 Linen and Fancy Stall, Mrs. Evan Thomas, Miss E. J. Thomas, Miss Mary Treharne, Mrs. Hopkins, and Mrs. Davies. African Curiosities, brought over from Lake Tanganyika, by the Rev. W. Thomas, son of Inspector John Thomas, Misses Lizzie, Ethel, and Alice Thomas, and Mrs. West. Bran tubs Miss M. J. Bassett, Miss L. Davies, Miss L. Griffiths, and Miss J ones. Fortune tellers Miss M. E. Dummer, and Miss M. H. Lloyd. Ice cream and sweets Miss Blodwen Davies, Station-road. Motor car and merry-go-round, driven by steam, Messrs. C. Meudwy Davies, and John Williams. Mrs. C. Meudwy Davies made an indefatigable hon. sec. of the sale of work, and the general hon. sees., who did their work admirably, were Messrs. Alex Wilson and Rhys Richards.

The price of ALLCOCK'S PLASTERS concervs you, SO PLEASE NOTE. They are now to be had of all dealers at 7id. EACH. When you ask for a porous plaster see you get ALLCOCK'S. Take no other.

THE INTERMEDI ATE SCHOOLS I NO QUORUM. A meeting of the managers of the Llanelly Intermediate Schools was held at the Old Town Hall ou Thursday last. Mr. Tom Hughes presided, there being also present: Mrs. Evans, Messrs. Ernest Trubshaw, and Henry Wilkins, together with the clerk (Mr. F. N. Powell), and the head-mistress (Miss Davies). A VOTE OF CONDOLENCE. Mr. Tom Hughes moved a vote of condolence with the widow and family of their late member, Mr. H. J. Howell. The deceased gentleman had been a faithful member of the committee, and was a gentleman highly inter- ested in education. He attended to his duties on their committee most punctually and honourably. They would sustain a loss, but his widow and family a greater loss. Mrs. Evans seconded, and said they would miss him very much. He was interested in his work on all occasions. Mr. E. Trubshaw supported the vote, and said that the deceased gentleman gave a great attention to the work of the committee, which they appreciated. No doubt it would mean a great loss to them. The vote was passed in silence. The meeting was at this juncture adjourned owing to those present not forming a quorum. 1 11

CARMARTHEN BOARD OF CONSERVATORS. TOWY WELL STOCKED WITH TROUT. GOOD FISHING SEASON ANTICIPATED A quarterly meeting of the Carmarthen Bay Fishery Board took place at the Shire Hall, Car- marthen, on Thursday, Mr. Herbert Peel, Taliaris, the chairman, presiding.—Mr. Jonah Watkins, Llandovery, applied on behalf of the local angling- association for a reduction of salmon licences from a guinea to half a guinea for use in the upper reaches of the Towy. The Clerk (Mr. W. Morgan Giirfitbs, solicitor) was requested to inform the applicant that the matter had been under con- si.deration, and no alteration could be made in the licence fees.—The Executive Committee reported that up to the end of last March £ 240 13s. was received for licences, as against £ 242 14s. 6d. and X185 10s.in the corresponding parts of the two preceding years. The penalties amounted to £8 Os. 6d: against zC27 5s., and none in the quarters of previous years. There was a balance in favour of the board of £ 275 8s. 9d. as against £ 279 Os. 3d., and £ 152 lis Ild -Siipei-intenaerit James Evans reported that, a very large number of fish had run up the rivers during the spawning season, and the condition of the waters was very favourable to a very good spawning season and the return of kelts. Sj far trout fishing had been exceptionally good, despite the fact that those fish were not in good condion at the beginning of the season, viz., March 2nd. Coracle net fishing had been very much better than it was in the past few years. The superintendent also presented an interesting special report, in which he showed that he had placed 11,000 young trout in the following brooks:- Dulais (Llanwrda), 2,000 Ranell. near Glan Ranell Park, 2,000; Sawel, 1,000; the brook that runs into the Gorlech about500 yards above Aber- gorlech Village, 2,000; Bran, Llangadock, 2,000; DuJais, near Talley-road, 2,000. On .the 9th inst. he placed 9,000 in the following brooks :-Tiie, brook that runs into the Gwih below Conwil Village by Pont-nant-ring, 2,000; (Jrichiau, above Dolpen Havard, 2,000; Ranell White Mill, between Glanddu Mill and Panteg brook, 2,000; Munachty brook, two fields below Velincwm village, 1,000; Llanarthney brook above the village, between the road bridge and the weir, 2,009; total, 20.000. The whole of tiie live fish were young and strong, and during recent visits to several brooks he found they were doing well. Mr. D. E. Stephens, Trawsmawr, was deputed to represent the board on the Milford Haven Sea Fisheries Board.—The board decided that if on payment of a guinea a year by a riparian owner, the bailiff should, in the ordinary course of his duty, see an unathorised person fishing on that ri parian owner's land, he should make a report of the case, and if, during legal proceedings the action be dismissed, the riparian owner should pav the bailiff's costs.

I WELSH UNIVERSITY OFFICES. I [COMMUNICATED.] I The competition between the Welsh towns for the possession of these orBces is becoming keener as the time approaches for the University Court to make their decision. Each claimant of the honour seeks all the patronage it can secure from the various boards and other public bodies in the country, and by presenting its case and claims to the public, by means of the Press. Last week the claims both of Carnarvon and of Swansea were presented thus to the public, the former in the Baner, and other Welsh papers, and the latter in some of the English papers of South Wales. But though the case for Carnarvon is published in the I Welsh papers, the Saner announces that it is a free translation and that the case for the Welsh (?) town of Carnarvon is presented to the University Court only in the English language, whilst Cardiff, which is deemed an Anglicised town, pays homage to Welsh nationality and the Welsh language, by presenting its claims both in English and Welsh. We understand moreover that Cardiff is the only town which has hitherto presented its claims in the Welsh language. The Welsh press evidently takes deep interest in the location of these offices, for articles and letters frequently appear in the Welsh papers advocating the claims of one or other of the towns seeking them. The Welsh press of South Wales is generally in favour of Cardiff. The papers of North Wales on the contrary, with the exception of the Baner, advocate Carnarvon. In the Gwalia for yesterday a leading article of nearly a column in length, appears in support of the claims of Carnarvon, but immediately following this leader is another article evidently by another writer eulogizing Cardiff and its claims. It says of all the towns competing for the honour of providing a home for the University offices we must admit that Cardiff is the only one which has been so patriotic as to present its claims in Welsh. The arguments advanced in support of this town have been published in book form, con- taining a deal of instructive and interesting information about the population, language, education, and commerce in the counties and chief towns of Wales. That which strikes us with astonishment by reading this book, is to see the important part which Cardiff plays in the national lifeof the Principality, and one cannothelp realizing that it will be an inexpressive advantage to Welsh nationality to gain the influence, I and and enterprising spirit of this large town in its favour. Though this valuable book was first intended only for members of the University Court, the authorities of Cardiff have wiseiy resolved to send a copy gratis to any one who applies for it. Applications should be sent immediately to Mr. J. L. Wheatley, Town Clerk, Cardiff, and it will be sent by return, and we are much mistaken if whoever reads it dees not feel that he has been enlightened greatly as to the future prospects of "Cymru, Cymro, a Chymraeg." As the Cardiff Corporation make this generous offer of sending a copy gratis, to all applyi ng for one, Welsh speaking patriots generally through- out the country, and the Cymmredorion especially at LlaneLy, and other places, should show their appreciation of the olxer by availing themselves of so favourable an opportunity of easily acquiring such astoreof interesting information respectingthe principality. It costs only a half-penny post card to make the application, and if written in Welsh, will still further tend to prove our appreciation of the national and patriotic spirit which has prompted the action of Cardiff in this matter.