The Western Mail

u- PAfHURT S C<JCOA.A (OCKI alike tuittble for butldinf up the grtwicg body, aud 1,?r reiuiriug tbe bu —Utttth.' lio/a—i

ICHINA AND JAPAN. PROGRESS OF THE PEACE NEGOTIATIONS. JAPANESE WANT A CONCLUSIVE DECISION. THE NEW CHINESE LOAN. Router* telegram from P.1i. Bays:- Ie "Journal tie. Debut- on the authority of the denin the Bt»tementre-pro- .luoeil in London from the 'Shanghiu Joui-nal that Japan had proposed to China, as one of the conditions of l)t:aoo an alliance agamst, the Western Powers. A ?hie? T.)?ram from W.?Mngton on Satut.lay 18 rrportl-d in official \lld.,s here that the IoTldl\II"lIty to be Riven liv China to Jupan in the event of terms of lwitig azrwd to will bo paid by silver proet.red from the United States. t.eiieial J W. Foster, who has been entrusted by l'retli. d. n*. Cleveland with the function of meeting tlie Cliinese and Japanese envoys and a«6istmg tlem in :uian(?in« the terms of peace, left tins afternoon for China. The Stuto Der«!-t- I1;ent has erceived n0 reply from China t0 its demands for an explanation regarding the rtpoited torture of Japanese spie*. The .1:pall" Millister here says that the suspension of hostilities will depend on the character of the representatives Chun, sends. If they are authorised to come to a conclusive decision without having to refer the matter back to the authorities at IVkin, thc-n Japan is likely to concede a suspension of hostilities; otherwise the Japanese will pusli rapidly aliead to Tekin. An official dispateh reouived Ity th., Navy Dc- jurtment states that the cruiser Yorktown has iUiivfd at Chefoo, where the received orders to watch operations on the 8haaig-lung l'ro- luci tciy. A Reutcr's telegram from Washington says —The Japanese .Minister here says that the selection of a private citizen as to til. in no way affect the peace negotiations about to be opened at Tokio. Japan, headds,f)as her own purposes and policy, a.:id will pro- ceed in the negotiations without taking into consideration the peuoiialitv of those who ma) api-tar as China's representatives. THE NEW CHINESE I,UA. The Press Association is requested by Asliurst, Morris, Crisp, and Co., of Throgmort( n-avenuo, to publish the following referent to tho aniioiv.icement by the Chinese Legatiou ill London "Messrs. Arm- stiong instruct us to fay that tliey adiieie that ti-I j Chinese Government, through their agents, vero attempting to raise other loans at a higher rate of interest at the very time that their aiegotiations with Messrs. Armstrong WHO proceeding."

WAZIRISTAN EXPEDITION. ADVANCE OF THE ANGLO-INDIAN TROOPS. ALL OPPOSITION CEASED. A Central News telegram from Bombay on Saturday Hays, ,The Wazirs have I pletely beaten that. they no longer menace th» Anglo-Indian forces. General Sip William Lockhart, telegraphing from the headquarters of the expedition yesterday, says that all oppo- sition to his advance had ceased. He had occu- pied village after village without opposition. They were in all cases deserted. Some dsnl, tory attacks, very weak in character, have been made upon his force, but the enemy were easily driven off. The Anglo-Indian force is non- advancing in seven columns instead of three. General Symons has reached .Tandola, and has joined hands with Sir William Lockhart. Kvetv effort will 11011' he mad" to capture the chief Mulla, who is believed to be at Dewar with a considerable number of follow ers.

FORTY PEOPLE CREMATED. FEARFUL TRAGEDY IN AMERICA A Central New* telegram from San Fran- cisco Oil Friday night says :Details have only Ijcen receiycd here to-day of a tHrlble tragedy which occurred at Silver Lake, in Oregon State. on Christmas EH last, was a large gathering of people in the settlement in a hall Used ordinarily for storage purposes. They were celebrating the occasion by fe,1,;tjn am) dancing, and during the proceedings a lamp was overturned, and set hre to the flooring. A panic immediately ensued among th" crowd. A rush was made for the door. The exit, how- ever, was so small that the people became jammed in the doorway. A large number of tho;e in the buihlin!( climb. to the higher wiu. dows and jumped out. All those who survived escaped in this way, but sixteen were severely injured in the jumping, five subsequently dying of their wounds. When the ruins were searched after the lire had been extinguished, forty cal- cined corpses were discovered.

TELEGRAPHISTS' GRIE- VANCES. THE DEPUTATION TO THE POST. MASTER-GENERAL. The Postmaster-General has appointed to- morrow (T.??,d.y) to receive deputation of provincial telegraphists with references to the grievances under which they suffer. H will rereive on the same day a deputation representa- tive of the telegraphists of the Metropolitan postal district.

THE SUMMONS AGAINST AN EX-M.P. At Ross (Herefordshire) Police-court on Fri- day Alderman Thomas Blake, J.P., chairman of Forest IIf Dean and Leominster, was summoned on information laid by Mr. Edmund Turner, ef Walford and Ross, boot and shoe manufacturer, that he, then beine a member of the Iioss Sckool Board, on the 10th day of September, 1894, un- lawfully was concerned in the profits of a certain bargain or contract with euch school board, to wit, supplying the said Ross School Board with water from the Ross Waterworks, of which works he (Thomas Blake) was Jhe un- dertaker.—Mr- William Boycott, solioitor, Here- ford, appeared to prosecute, and Mr. A. J. Comer, Herctord, defended.—Before the facts were taken an adjournment for a fortnight was agreed on,

FATAL RAILWAY ACCIDENT AT BRIDGEND. On Saturday evening a sad accident, which terminated fatally, occurred on the Llynvi and Oginore section of the Great Western Railway. Miss Elizabeth Headen, g?d 22, ?.lki??g up ¡IU\eeodattd i;ihs C: House—abeut a mile from Bridgend, when a special engine with a brake-van came along, knocking her down, and passing over her neck.

FUNERAL OF LORD TREVOR. The funeral of Arthur Edwin Hill Trevor, Baron Trevor of Brynkinalt, Chirk, who died at his London residence Oil Christmas Vay, took plaoe at Chirk Churchyard on Saturday afternoon. The funeral cortege Idt Brynkinalt nail at two 1',111, The funeral serYJce was con- ddueted by the Rev. K. J. Evans, vicar of Chirk; the R*»v. Wynpe Jont's. rector of Lian- ymyneoh, and formerly vicar of Chirk: and the Rev. 1..1. Wynne Jones, curate of Wrex- ham, There WAS a very large attendance of relatives, friends, and tenantry. ThcreWNe ¡ a very largo number of beautiful wreaths.

It i. llrjou. to uote, says the "R.rord," that women councillors hale beeu more approved by urban than by parish electors. At Hove and :,t H-t-?gs 't Jhl adne", l;fi head the 1",11. At Chichester Mi^s Durnford, the bishop's daughter, and Mrs. Webb, wife, of Prebendary Webb, were elected. In many other instances ladies were elected. But- for the Parish Councils many more lady candidates were rejected than rè. turned. i EXIT 1894.

———■■% WELSH TIN-PLATE TRADE. 2,000 MEN THROWN OUT AT I MORRISTON. DEPRESSION IN THE TRADE. The notices which were ported up at Messrs. Williams and Co.'s works a month ago termi- nated on Saturday last. By its termination liourly 2,000 men are disengaged for an un- limited period. It is expected, however, that the Upper .Forest Steelworks will re-start at the end of the week, and thus the number of uncinploytM will greatly diminish. Those employed at the Worre^er and Upper Forest Mills and Tin-house are at a loss when they are to re-start> but circumstances, such as a larire quantity of tin-plate in betweeii the annealiu and assorting room, will necessi- tate the starting' of the tin-houso before long. tlie reason alleged by the company for taking this courso is depression in trade. There has been no demand made for concessions, as at Llauelly, but there is sufficient cause to suggest that such a claim will 1)0 made. I MEETING OF THE LLANELLI DISTRICT. I THE 36-BOX RULE TO BE UPHELD. I FURTHER REDUCTION ASKED AT THE BURRY WORKS. lIIr, Joseph Roborts presidod over a meeting of the Llanelly District of Tin-platers held at Moriah Schoolroom on Saturday e»eninp.— The Old Castle delegates reported that lIfr, Maybery had asked to see them on Fridav, and told them that unless they conceded to a, reduc- tion of 12* per cent, he would hare no alterna- tive but to close the works. He was prepared, however, to accept 10 per cent- if the men con- sented to work 40 boxes. He said, further, that he required an answer that day. In reply to this, it was pointed out to Mr, Maybery that there would not be a district meeting uatil Saturday, and it was impossible to give a reply until that meeting had been held.—The Old Lodge representatives reported that they ha,1 had an interview with Mr. Peregrine, who had told them that the, would have to concede the sumo terms its would be agreed upon at the Western. Ti, Ashburnham delegates said that notices had been posted up there to the eflect that unless they worked 40 boxes the doors would be closed.—Tho MorCa delegate reported that they had been asked by Mr. Tregoning to give.. reduction of 10 per cent., but that the rate of output was not to be interfered with.-In regard to the Western Works, there was some misunderstand- iuff as to the report of the delegates. One of the delegates said that Mr. Trubshaw had olaimed a reduction of 12; per cent., or 10 per oent. and 40 boxes per shift, but these two proposals the men had retn"ed.-Another delegate said that a majority of the men of the Western Works had agreed to ac ept. one of these proposals, and Mr. T.b.b.? had been so in forme d Mr. T. Phillips, the general secretary, said he bad only just come from a meeting in the Dulais Valley, and the feeling there was a unanimous one in favour of the strict maintenance of the 36-box rule.-One of the Morfa representatives ""id it was ?i.ply disgraceful of tho Western men to think of acee?ting either of the two pro posals made by Mr. Trubshaw—A Western delegate said that Trubs;haw wou l d net opeu the works unless they accepted one of the two proposals that had been mentioned—A Burry delegate said that Mr. Protheroe, the manager, was now asking for a still further reduction to the extent of 10 per cent-Ulti. mately it was moved that the decision of the previous meeting to offer 10 per cent, .ad to maintain the 36-box rule be confirmed.—This was seconded and carried un..nimously.-In regard to the Burry Works it was decided to authorise the Blon to resist any demand for a further reduction. STOPPAGE OF THE LLWYDARTH WORKS, MAESTEG. 1 -1 The notice at the above werks expired on Saturday. A deputation of workmen waited on the proprietor, Alderman W. H. Edwards, mayor or Swanse. on Friday, to try and effect a settlement, and offered to accept a 10 per cent, reduction and adhere to the 36 box-rule. Alder. man Edwards said he required" 10 per cent, reduction, a make of from 40 to 44 boxes per shift of eight hours, according to the capacity of each mill, and other coucessions,-A meeting of workmen was hold on Saturday t. consider Alderman Edwards's proposals, when it was resolved to decline to accept them. The works will, therefore, be closed this (Monday) morning.

LLANELLY NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD. A WELSH SCHOLARSHIP. I The committee of the Llanelly National Eisteddfod have decided to offer a scholarship of £20 per annum for two years in connection therewith. The scholarship will be tenable at any British r Continental university. C.?di- dates will be examined in the following sub- jects:—I. Welsh Grammar and Philology—(a) Welsh grammar, (b) Welsh Philology: The Rebtion of Welsh to Latin, (o) Translation: 1. From Old Welsh: Mabinogi-"l'wyll, Prince of Dvfed." 2. From English into Welab, 11. Welsh History—Period: A.D. 1066-1282. III. Welsh Literature: Historical and Critical -(:,) A?1). 1547-1653. 1. "Llyfriob' (Dr. Morgan ) ar?. Rhydyohen. 2. "E?,,fr Tri Aderyu" (Morgan Llwyd): rgr' L,??p??l .')?u??" (1)) Poetry: A'T'. 176?819"?T Cywydd "&medd yv A wen" (Gor. Owen). ?1: "Bugeilgenddo" Ed. Ri,!h.d?:.rg,. Caerfyrddm (Spurn 11). The names of intendin candidates I must be in hand not later than May 1, a.nd the examination will bo held at Llanelly. The ex.aminat-ion will 1),, held t LI:?,Iiy: Tii?, test ??.y be added at the discretion of the CMtminers. It is hoped that the resuttwiU be ma d e known the 1:??t day f the ?i?t?ddfd.

THE RESOLVEN BURGLARY. IMPORTANT ARREST. On S?turday eve:lice-constabI8 Abra-I b. man on suspicion of being implicated in tho burglary committed at Glyn Castle, Resolven, tbe residence of Mr. J. F. Lloyd, on Christmas morning. The man's name is Alfred Whiting he is about 26 years of age, and has been employed at the Resolven Brick Work. for the last four or five months, but refuses to disclose where he is a native of. The police-constable discovered that the prisoner had offered for tale some dress materials sup- posed to be part of the proceeds of the burglary. The accused was conveyed to Neath on Satur- day evening, and will be brought before a magis- trate this (Monday) morning.

LLANTWIT LOWER SCHOOL I BOARD. The following nominations have been receive for the Llantwit Lower School Board now to be formed. There are ten candidates for five seats. The election will take place on the 9th prox :— John Roberts, shearer; David Baaiford, late mill manager: Rowland Owen Evans, Congrega- tional minister Alfred S. Gardner, ironfounder T. W. George, minister of the Gospel; Taliesin Jones, farmer; Edmund Law, fimneier James Pulls, mechanic; David Rees, batcher; and J. H. £ Ritson, tin-plate manufacturer.

NEWPORT SCHOOL BOARD. I RESULT OF THE POLLING. VICTORY FOR THE VOLUN- TARYISTS. The ?--It of tho polling for the '?Po?t S?b..l Board wns decbred &t the T, ,??.l. on Saturday afternoon by the mayor (Councillor J. C. Sanders), as follows:- I Rev. M. Bailey 5,747 y.¡.¡C): :m 'c, T. W"lIis (C.) f-f" R. T. Martin CO »•"? ?. '?S' Philli.. (C.) '?'?:071 'R.v. U. Wilcox ("C.) 4,866 V. H Browu (u) 4.428 *T. B. R. Wi)Mt. (C,). 4.377 4,&15 iR ev. (S.U.Cook (U.) .1? W. M. Fu):er (V,) .MO T H. Mordey (U.) 3,5o4 R?? :'A:ZJl (U.) ?l 'Kev. ?. H?rea? (V,). 3,228 NON.EL};CTED. C. L. Barfoot (U.) 3,139 An asterisk (*) denotes new members; u, Unseetarian; G\, Church of England; R.C., Roman Catholio. It will be romembered that there were sixteen candidates-eight Volun- taryists and eight Unsectarians-for fifteen seats, and oonsiderable intere.t was aroused by the fight. The Voluntaryists claimed that during the three years the Undenominational party had been in power the rate had been increased from sixpence to elevenpence, and posters drawing attention to this wore exten- sively pl-.rdd b..t the town. The p.U WM a heavy 01:0, compared with the last election. Mr. C. Ii. Iiarfoet, the unsuccessful candidate, was returned tenth on the list on January 7, 1892,

CAPE COLONY GOLDFIELDS. AFRICAN GOLD CONCESSIONS AND DEVELOPMENT COMPANY (LIMITED). TO THE EDITOR OF THE WESTERN MAIL." —As UJJ old resident in and well-wisher of the Cape Colony, 1 am glad to hear of the recent distovery of payable alluvial goldlicius in all iespects favourably situated as regards all the requirements for success. JVly acquaintance with the U.J. Colony dates back to 1842, and 1 have had for several yar exoeptional opportunities of becoming acquainted Willi the mineral as well ua other nesourues. The recent discoveries of goldfields on the 80ulheru slopes of the Outiuiipia..Mountains name upon me by no means an a. surprise. 1 have for several 3-- been aware of the exis- tence c-f gold through the entire distance (Up- ""rds of 500 miles; from L'ajw Town to Port Elisabeth, more particulujly in the Long Kloof, near the Mill lliver and Avontuui, which lio m the north side of the ham of mountains, on the south slopes of which the property of the African Cold Concessions and Development Compajiy is situate. i quite exp?-t that at an y date it ?ill 1» found that the w hole -?t?,y lying between the mountains I have namd and tho sea cotifct, some 20 to 25 miles in width, including the Zibsikamnia Forest dlolricl, will, when pro- perly prospected, prove gold-bearing in pay- able quantity. Those who are disposed to cry down tins district as not having yet produced guId sum- cieiit to remunerate the prospector, should recollect that the science of goid mining has not stood still of late years, but lias greatly advanced since the spasmodic efforts of a few inexperienced (so. called) miners endeavoured to persuade their brother Colonists that the preeiuus metal could be profitably worked with a shovel and a bucket of water. System3ti" hydraulic mining, crushing by modern machinery, treatment by mercury, and the cyanide process for saving the last traces of gold, have rendered it not only possible, but an every-day occurrence, to work at a consider- able profit where nothing but failure would have a very few years ago resulted. I may at onoe say that I have bought some of the,, shares, believing, as I do, that either as a speculation or investment they are of better value than many of the Rand mines, with their enormously inflated capital, with shares stand- ing on the market at as many pounds the shares of this company are shillings in the quotation. If the yield is only one-half per ton of that of gold properties in the Transvaal, the share- holders may look for a s)>eed.v anti highly re- munerative result to their investment at the same time this company poss.ses mining rights ow 15,000 acres—a fact which appears to lie ut irel." owrlnokecl: and a wide field is opened to the Company for the formation of subsidiary coiniiunies.—I am. &e., \X ox.I) nor,OXIST AND LATE MKM- BKR LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY. IJee. 26, 1394. The "Money Market Review" states as fol, lows :ft will be seen from these statements, which come from a well-qualified source, how enormous are the possibilities connected with port-ions of the South African territory, in re- gard to which it lias b.. ti y ;.pp.?d h tt'eI:roi!îd8 f:Ir:iYefri:: The shares ?l.?ed at B?. 9d. to 9,. 3?.

THE LIBERATOR CRASH. I IMPORTANT PROPOSAL BY THE I LIQUIDATOR. The Press Association is informed that an im" portnnt step is about to be taken by Mr. Samue* Wheeler, liquidator of the Liberator Build?ng Society, ?n .,d to increasing the assets, nd e:if;rfmoe:gp::P:t:tf the shareholders. In order to dispose of the present unsaleable building on Victoria Embankment, London, belonging to the sooiety he intends te apply for powers to purchase i?d rbild severa l houses in the Strand which adjoin tbe ::l ilàg,S:ddlo't !h: into gignti? h.tl. This, it is -tivip.t?d, would produce very large sums towards the assets of the society, while the expenditure cen- nected with the undertaking will be nominal.

THE CHELFORD RAILWAY DISASTER. MESSAGE FROM THE QUEEN. The Central News saysGeneral Sir Henry Ponsonby has forwarded from Osborne the fol- lowing telegram to the secretary of the London and Nortli-Western Railway Company, Euston —" The Queen was mnch distressed to hear of the terrible railway accident, on which she was anxious to express her sympathy." The secre- tary telegraphed the company's thanks, and intimated that the injured are doing well.

EARTHQUAKE SHOCKS, A Keuter s telegram from -Regg?- II r a!a- br?. gaysSlight shocks -f earthquake are again felt at intervals throughout the 4' strict. 'Yh-.i"habitants are once more in a stte of panic.

The rf?MtMed oatM-a of the Port Talbot Rail- ? I" .d "g ny b-? b?e. t. ,,?_ ,? from MKrg?m to Bank Chambers, Port L'albot. THE DOROTHY, and 122, q,, lg,. ?i?  for fine Confectionery, Ukriffb =. Bnsenti .d Ch-lt.. 3010

LORD ROSEBERY'S VISIT TO CARDIFF. SUGGESTED PRESENTATION OF THE FREEDOM OF THE BOROUGH. As we announced a few days ago, a movement is OIl foot to present the freedom of Cardiff to Lord Roseberv on the occasion of his lordship's visit to the town next month to attend the meeting of the National Liberal Federation. Although nothing has been done officially to place the matter before the public, private inquiries are till being made with a view of timliulT how the feeling runs in the various political sections of the community. The idea is, we believe, to secure complete unanimity hefore the proposal is made in a formal mauner. Thin, we need scarcely say, is a "large order" ou hopes. Wo say now, as we naid in 1887, when it was proposed to give the freedom of the borough to .Mr. Gladstone, that a municipal body, as euch, has noth- in to do with a statesman who visit. the town in the character of a political propagandist. Mr. Gladstone came to Cardiff in 1837 on a vote-catching expedition, so did Lord Salisbury last year, and Lord Koeebery will he hero on a similar mission uext month. If Lord Rosebery's visit were of a non-political character, if he came down to open a university or library, or even if he came as a private guest, we should certainly be in favour of doing him all the honour which lies in the power of a municipality to give, but when the Prime Minister <"11\es, not m his capacity of Prime Minister, nor, indeed, as a private gentleman, but as a party politician on a political mission, we have but to take the same staud as we did in 1887, and as we would have done a year ago had anybody sug- gtsted that the corporation should do publio honour to the chief of the Conservative party. Outride his political engagements Lord Rcse- U-ry will perform no function which will allow of tho corporation meeting him in their capacity as governors of the town. There- fore, the Conservative members of the council can scarcely be expected to give the Radicals pjiy help either in making or marring the success of the party demonstration. Of course, if the Radicals decide to push the matter through the ccuncil they have tho requisite majority at command, and the Conservative vote can bo swamped. Under these oircum- fitances the Conservatives might be content with showing their disapproval by abstaining from voting. Certainly, they fchould not waive thir opposition without some clear and ddinite understanding what to expect in the future. Whey Lord Salisbury visited Cardiff last year no sugBlion w? made that the fr? dom of the borough should be miferred upon him, and if there had we should have strongly discountenanced it. We have reason to believe, however, that some Conservatives take a different view on the present occasion. They regard it as ungracious to withhold the -ly gift in th??, power to give when the Prime Mini?tLr viitrtll, town of Cardiff forthetirst time. It is no more ungra- cious than to withhold a vote at the general election. What we must not forget is that Lord Rosebery's sole object in coming to Car- diff is to attend the meetings of the National Liberal Federation and to make further pro- mises in the hqpe of retaining1 the Welsh vow. He comes here for what he can get, and Con- servatives ought not to aid unless they are pre- paid to retire altogether from the dignified position they have hitherto occupied. Cer- tainly they should not retire unless they can do so without loss of dignity. Unless they can discover some modus vivendi in the form of an arrangement, implied or expressed, that both parties he treated exactly alike, they should have no truck with the enemy. If every distin- guished politician of the fcrst rank who visits the town is to receive its freedom the rule should apply impartially to both parties, and if they cannot secure an aQTeement to this effect the Conservatives will do wisely to oppose the pro- posal or, at any rate, stand aloof.

THE NEW DOCK AT CARDIFF. A SERIOUS RUMOUR. It was stated in Cardiff on Saturday that should the Great Western, Taff Vale, and Rhymney Companies succeed in their Bill next session in being relieved of certain obligations which they are now under to work the traffic of the Bute Docks, the construction of the new dook would be stopped. This would be a serious matter, not only for Cardiff but for the railway companies, as it would mean the diversion of more traffic to Barry.

FUNERAL OF THE REV. E. D, WILDS. The funeral of the late Rev. E. D. Wilds, of the Mumbles, took place at Cardiff Cemetery on &turday with every token of respect. The fol- lowing were present:—Messrs. W. H. and S. J. Davies and Alfred Thomas (brethers-in-law), E. M. Brnoc-Vaughan and Luce (oousins), Arthur L. and E. hor Hopkins, J. Walter Thomas and H. Batten (nephews); Alderman David Jenes and Thomas Rees; Messrs. J. T. Barry, jun., W. Lester Jenes, R. H. Seel. W. Brown, and Leonard Simpson; the Rets. W. E. Winks, Principal Edwards, Charles Davies, and R. O. Johns. The officiating ministers were the Rev. W. E. Winks, Prinoipal Edwards, and R. O. Johns.

HEARTS OF OAK DINNER AT CARDIFF. A large number of members and friends sat down to the third anniversary dinner of the Royal Hearts of 0..1;: Yearly Dividing Society, Neville Lodge, Cardiff, when an excellent repast was provided by Host Gillard. A meeting was afterwards held under the presidency of Dr. M'Gregor, surgeon of the branch, Mr. Thomas Evans, general secretary of the society, also attending and addressing those present, During the evening a number of solos and recitations were given, and added greatly to the eajoyment of the gathering.

D ON'T MISS SEEING THE CARTOON IN TO-DAT'C "EVENING EXPRSS." SUBJECT THE NEW WOMAN.

I FIRE AT NEWPORT. TRADESMAN'S PREMISES GUTTED. NARROW ESCAPE OF THE INMATES. I EXCITING SCENES AT RESCUE. GALLANT CONDUCT OF FIREMEN. A lire which, although serious enough in it- self, might have been attended with far more disastrous results, ooourred at Newport in the early hours of Sunday morning. It resulted in the total demolition of the newly-erected shop in Commercial-street occupied by Messrs. Sharpley and Fritclmrd, drapers, whilst Mr. Pritchard and three females-Mrs. Craddock, milliner; Miss Redford, first hand dressmaker; and Miss JaoLson, oook-narrowly escaped being burned to death. Shortly 'jefore one o'clock Police-constable Horlor, whilst on duty near the Town-hall, heard cries of distress, and, running douii Commercial-street, noticed smoke issuing from Messrs. Sharpley and Prit- ohard's shop. Mr. Phtchyd and the females —some of whom were very excited—were in front of the building screaming for help, and the constable ran round to the police-station close by for assistance. Inspector Brookes and Polioe-constable Smith founded the electrio bells connected with the firemen's houses, and, in the meantime, Horlor had obtained the assistance of other constables and had tAlken the smaller of the two fire-escapes to the burning shop. Two of the feraales-M". Craddook and Miss Redford-slept on the third storey, and it was at once seen that this escape would not reach them. Some of the police-officers rushed off for the large esoape, but whilst they were gone the heat had grown so intense that one of the two women was seen to get out of the window and hang with her hands upon the sm. Then ewiting incident ™ wit- nessed, and conspicuous c?ln?s and bravery were displayed by Police?8table f aulkee and Firemen Toothill and Brown, who had arrived on the scene. By getting on the top riimr of the escape, and leaning against the wall of the burning building Police-constable t'aulkes was just able to reaoh the woman, and as she let go her hold he succeeded-aitliough his position was a perilous o1Íe-in lowering her to Fireman Toothill, who, with the assis- tance of Fireman Brown, brought her safely to the ground. Mrs. Craddock was rescued in a similar manner, and Mr. Pritohard and Miss Jackson, who slept on the second storey, and, consequently, were enabled to get out upon the veranda, were also brought down amid the greatest excitement. Mr. Pritchard and the three women, who had nothing on but their nightdresses, were taken into the Wes- ley-buildings, immediately opposite, and into the Bush Hotel, and provided with olothes. and otherwise assisted. Meanwhile, the fire had obtained a complete mastery over the building, and the efforts of the firemen were directed towards saving the adjoinir shops, occupied by Mr. Vaughan, jeweller, and Mr. Oliver, boot and shoo manu- facturer. The new engine-the latest addi- tion to the Newport brigade—had arrived, and ten jets were throwing water upon the burn- ing building at one time. The efforts of the firemen were, however, frustrated to a large extent by the gale of wind which was blowing at the time. ne water was simply carried away with the wind, and inv. bly oould not ascend higher than the first storey. The firemen worked manfully, however, and by four o'clock the fire had not only been pre- vented from spreading, but had been completely got under. The building itself was a com- plete wreck, the fire having gone from the shop to the roof, and destroyed everything as it went along. Captain Horace Lyne and other officers of the fire brigade were away from heme, but great credit is due to Head-constable Sin- clair alld In sprotor Brookes for the way in which they directed operations. To Firemen Toothill and Brown and Polioe-constable Faulkes nothing but the highest praise can be given. Fireman Toothill's neck wae scorched, and Miss Redford sustained injuries to her right hand. The heat. which the two firemen and the oonetable had to contend with was almost overpowering, and in giving an idea of this it may be mentioned that the fire escape was badly scorched whilst they were upon it. Fortunately, Mrs. Pritchard and her child were away from home. Early on Sunday morning Mr. Pritchard proceeded to Cardiff, where, in conjunction with Mr. Sharpley, he has another place of business. Mrs, Craddook, the milli- ner, belongs to Swansea.

I A TERRIBLE DEATH. I I GRUESOME DISCOVERY AT CARDIFF. I BODY OF STOWAWAY FOUND IN VESSEL'S HOLD. On Saturday morning, shortly after the steamship Maroa arrived in the Penarth Roads, the body of a man unknown was found lying at the bottom of the bunker hold of the vessel. A singular feature in con- nection with the discovery is that a couple of days previously this portion of the hold bad been cleaned out by some of the crew, who are positive that the body was not there then. The master of the Maroa, Captain Adams, on Saturday reported the circum- stance to Messrs. Guthrie, Heywood, and Co., the local agents of the vessel, and by their instructions a coffin was subsequently sent out to the Roads, but while it was being hoisted ou board the steamer the tackle gave way, and the coffin, falling between the two vessels, was smashed into splinters. The deceased, under the circumstances, was, accordingly, sewed up in some canvas, and when Maroa docked in the Roath Basin, Cardiff, on Sunday morning, it was conveyed in a shellibier to the mortuary. It is sup- posed that the deceased was a French stow- away who, while the vessel was in Havre, had surreptitiously got on board, and that he had hid himself in the bunker hold,, after the men who were "told off" to clean it out had finished their work. The poor fellow during the terrific gale on Friday and Satur- day night must have experienced great hard- ship, and death, in all probability, resulted from exhaustion.

MONSIGNOR WILLIAMS'S ILLNESS. t Dr. Cat, of Scarborough, who is Mensignor Williams's prinoipal medical adviser, has made the following offioial statement as to the Monaipnor's illnessAbout the middle of November acute abdominal symptoms of a serious nature declared themselves. From this attack the Monsignor recovered, and it was during convalescence that a new symptom, pointing to an affection of the arteries of the left leg, developed. This, it is feared, will considerably retard his return to health. Under the circumstances, the very rev. gentle- man is progressing as favourably as can lie expected.

NEW YACHT FOR LORD DUNRAVEN. Lord Danraven has ordered a 20-rater racing cutter frem MeMM. Somen and Payne, from Mr. A. E. Payne's design, for the next MMon'a mdng. Lord Dunraven is the present owner of the Andmy, 2D-rater built from his lordship's own design Jut s8IWiOn.

"The wt ?o tban Gold to w, They Ssvel My L?7.. ,The OI' m??.ful R?sedy Iffe.3 to the world tor Constinatioa,. Pito, Gitvel, Paia 1. the Rack, FI tfc' lencf, Slugrlfhaess o' tbe Liver ?d Kid?y*. BUieum?t, itti." 81-1 !m. puntiM, Dropei?i SwtUint. is "GEORGE'S PILH ANI? OKAV EL PIL1&" Patronised by mediml men U.d in tU parts .f tb? ?i'ili' j -id. 0- tu th.d =.i?l. 71.y .? Ap,ri?.t, Ami- tiJicua, D; 'I"> Toaic. Blood Purifror. tiad Nerve Strengthening Scld "MXW'MM boxe« Nr1e 4L = a ewL LW4

[SATURDAY'S SPORT. i FOOTBALI, RACING, &c. NOTES BY "WELSH ATHLETE." Saturday wae just the sort of day on wnicn we would hardly have felt (surprise at any extra- ordinary reversals of public form that might possibly have occurred. All said aud done, luck is an important element in every sport, in football a team may time and again be within an ace of !!COring. A Blip, a slight fumble of the imil-aiiy of these little thwgs upsets what might have been a satisfactory result of clever, hard work. And Saturday was just the day wlten thea-e sort of mi.,haps might easily have ocourred. Looking all round, however, foim worked out fairly con- sistently. Newport we never expect any sur- prij* from, except, perhaps, that now and again they pile on a very heavy score, aI<, for example, against the Barharia.ll8. On Satur- day we expected them to beat Coventry. They did so. Cardiff's narrow defeat by Swmton may. perhaps, be termed surpriw, a sur- prise, that is, h.t u,h heavier .ad not registered against tl?-?. Still, perhaps, we must bear i? mind tl e f.t that it was not a, day for three-quarter play. Hence the fact of three out of their four being away did not, after all, make such a difference. Swansea's excellent j>erformajioe against Oldham was another pleasant surprise for South Walians. Lower down some remarks appear from my Oldham correopondent that suggest that the all whites are improving. For the>ake of South Wales football generally, I am sure all will join me in hoping 1'(J, Llanelly had an easy thing on with Bridgwater. Keath were similarly situated in their game with Llwynypia, but Penarth, considering their past achievements, did not realise expectations. Newport's form against Coventry on Satur- day, though not exactly showing that the team had met its match, must not be taken too seriously. The players were finishing up a week of hard Christmas engagements, and so long as 'by just %?ou they were satwfied with anything that might happen m Saturday. They ?,n?, they hadn't .,i?h M?k of fo??ad. to deal with as they had met whilst taking on Blackheath and the Barbarians, and so the Newport scrimmagers gave themselves up to a little light revelry and levity. There was a lob of "kidding" going on amongst the Nownort eiffht in the first half, but the intense fold macle them" bit more keen to their work after the interval, aud it was not long before eoorhuar began. At best, however, the game, which ended so unexpectedly ten minutes before the full time had elapsed, cannot be voted a great one. especially by com- parison with the rights which Newport had won earlier in the week. The Newport players aud reserves have been weighing themselves this Christmas- tide. Going up to Coventry on Friday there wae a considerable wait at Gloucester, and slot machines were gi i'ii a trial. Averages were struck, and it "s found that (including Boucher, who wa, not then present, but- whose weight was known) eighteen players averaged list. 12ilb. Ten forwards (B<Hwher was thrown in with the backs to give them a little tJUh.tanœ) averaged 12st. 5]1>" which also was the exact average of tho tight forwards who met the Barbarians. J. Hannau is the heaviest man in the team, and goalee 13st. 91b., fits ofrocner Mat is the lightest-'9st, 71b. The following are the weight* of the other players: — Graham,, lëst. 21b. Watts, 12st. 121b.; Packer, 12st. lllb. Boucher, 12st. 71b. James, 12st. Sib.; Sanders, 12st. 41b,; Jen- kins, 12sfc.; Parsons and Parfitt, list. 131b. each; Groves, list. 101h.; Newcombe, Pook, and Daunoev, list. 71b. each; A. J. Gould, list. 51lx; T. England, list. 21b.; and C. J. Thomas, 10?t. 51L This, of course, was in ordinary attire—ia footMI attire they would be .1?lighier. Tht game «i Penarth, like all other matches throughout the country, was to a great extent handioa by the We of the ?athen Even making the utmost allowanoe for this fact, how- ever, 1 must oonfem to a great degr? of dis- appointment, ?lw??ally with the performaum of the -id. Ag-??.?t Cardiff I remember they played a sound, vigorous, ding-dong gme, Against Morriston, ?peci?aly in the ?wnd half, they displayed g^eat l?ity, that suggested to me either that tKey tw? tbe game too I he/¿ere tpg off. tble a.ai;h t ""¡¡eve that the latter i? the case. At the same time, I must admit that I was disappointed with them. As to the merits of the game itself, Penarth, whose forwards were a little heavier, had a slight pull in this department in the first half, but towards the close of the game the young 'uns for Morriston were going at it very pit- pat and in a manner that suggested there are one or two very good men in their ranks who, with another year or two's experience, will prove well worth looking after. Of oourse, in the back division the Westerners were completely outclassed. That fact was very walpable. Indeed, in the first half, aud when playing against the wind, at least a couple more tries ought to have been put on. Morgan's aelection as reserve centre for international honours caused me to watch his performance with a litte more than usual interest. He was the best of the centres, unquestionably, but on Saturdav was a bit selfish and anxious to do a bit too mu b. For a centre I always believe in a certain amount of individuality. For, to my mind, some of our Welsh centres are getting too meohaniea1; but what I blame Morgan for on Saturday was. that he lost a certain try by choosing to cross himself when a simple pass to Alexander would have meant a certain score. Still, that is a fault he can easily remedy, and, with such a wing man on his side as Alexander, I should certainly advise him to be generous even to a fault. Garrett still retains a lot of his old-time trickiness. He is exceptionally clever at start- ing a run, but- on Saturday seemed unable in the second half to finish up the runs with the same smartness as he initiates them. Ivor Grey was the best of the Morriston halves, but with this exception none of the other backs call for any notice. Cardiff would hardly enjoy their viovit to Man- Chester on Saturday. Anything worse than the surroundings in respect to climatic condi- tions could not be imagined. In the morrurig it blew a perfect hurricane, aDd when the match started there was a heavy fall of hail, accom- panied by thunder and lightning. Swinton is not a very attractive kind of village at any time, but on Saturday it presented a most iaise- rable appearance, and Cardiff were, doubtless, glad enough to get out of it. Then there was come question at the outset as to whether the ground was fit to be played upon. and Cardiff hesitated some time before the, could make up their mind. to tackle a ground that was just about three times as bad as the Cardiff Arms Park when the latter is at its worst, and that's say- ing a good deal. Considerable disappointment, writes mv Swinton correspondent. was felt when it was known Morgan, Norman Biggs, Conway Rees, Nicholls, and Mills were not ^laving. The game calls for very little comment, as it was mostly of a rough-and-tumble description, brillianov amongst the backs, of course, being quite out of the question. There were occa- sional good things done, att, for instance, when Pearson and Valentine got their tries, but in the game, as a whole, Cardiff, although they lost, were as good as their opponents. Daviee made acapable full back in place of Morgan, but Spillane and Rooney were weak centres. Pearson was easily the best of the three-quarters, but Rickette seemed to like the heavy going, and did verv well. Biggs and Escott were far in front of Harris and Brock- bank. whoopoosed them, and the forwards were all Good. For Swinton. Winterbotham gave a good display, as did Valentine and Pearson at three-quarter. The halves, as stated, were well beaten. Whatever the pnh]i may think, the Swan- sea team will congratulate themselves upon the rinilt of their to Id h m. From the way in whi,.h they were beaten on the previous Saturday they had been led to believe they had no hanee of reversing the verdict of that- day. and. as one of them remarked before and after the content, they were determined to play their hardest to make a good game. In this they were successful, notwithstanding the blizzard of the afternoon, and the fact that the ground had been covered by several inches of oat husks to keep out the frost. A late Rtar. (occasioned wholly by the home club) waa made, and play was very sensibly limited to a couple of 25 s, as it was hardly reasonable to accept an encounter under such conditions as a fair trial between the team. A ,IJ.coomhined rush in the first minute of the game gave Oldham a position from which they, through one of those sharp- passing runs whiM hw,? made the dub famom. scored their only try, whih w? unproductive of a goal. After this burst there was abso- lutely nothing to choose between the teams. On the dav's showing. Ram Rice. "R. Thomas, R. S. Jenkin, and Smith were the sVnmg lights in a forward eig-ht who were quite the equals of their opponents. The wav in which they at times wheeled the scrum* with the ball among their feet evoked the atmlauste of an im. partial crowd. At haft-back Preecottand BV-k- more were not at all overplayed by Viriev and Lees, as they hn anticipated, and both put in uneful work. The Crockers are a cntmle of smart centres, and tKey gave a fin'«hed dis- nlar, whilst Messer was the best of the wings. This player had been muh talked about in Oldham, owing to his tackling M'Cutcheon so frequently a week ago, but OIl thi- occasion he afro displayed good attacking powers. Ban- croft is well known in O'dham. as is also h: predilection for dropping goals and big kicking. Therefore, the local team took particular care (as previously agreed upou.) to do little kiokiof in the open, and when they did they geuftsliy made a safety kick in touch. Of the winners Bonser (whose touch-line decisions made W. orowd wild at Swansea), Hughes, Newby, Var- ley, Taylor, and M'Cutcheon were about the best. Swansea played an infinitely superior game to that of the Saturday previoU8, and the same form is good enough to defeat the- victors of Cardiff at Swinton on Tuesday. Mr. J. Slevin, tlie old Lancashire County player, was au efficient referee. Football at Swansea was bit off. There wa. only a second tiftee:i match, and the stf<x>nd string gave a poor display, being unablo to do much against the stern tackling and smothering hiif back tactic* of the auee-f¡¡1 little club opposed to them. The attendance formed ..di,!ul.u? compar i son with the teem- ing thou?md?, of tl,. r.?? .,O..?tI, the and the hundred or two who attendd went away dissatisfied. The chief solicitude that afternoon was to hear how Swansea had fared at Oldham. The result proved more favour- able than local partisans anticipated, for it v'ild seem that the hit- made a better display against Oldham on thair own ground than they did at Swansea, The try, as on that occasion, wa* got at the outset of the game, but, instead of Oldham pressing right up to the end, Swansea eellls to have made it warm for the Northerners. On this fo.<n Svansea should beat- Swinton to-day IIon. davi—an opinion which. I hear, was strong in Oldham after Saturday's match. Llwy' nypia went to Neath with a good repu. tation, which they signally failed to maintain, 'i liev p?,,?,d the,-],. to be wofullv ,,?.k in defence, :md to be l?king in combination when on the aggressive. It may be ..fely .aid that 1,d eiJi(- opportunity which Llwynypia had duri-ug the tirt half at least three tries would have been scored. In the first half the Rhondda men had matters pretty much their own way, because Neath WHe playing against the wind and the slope. Further, for the most part they relied upon their defensive powers, which we of no mean :dr,d=dls;$'th:i;' .c harfuroh08=: half, when the conditions were reversed. Then came a change. Neath proved to be as strong in the aggressive as in defence. From the very tirst serum that was formed the hall came out to the backs on the home side of the half-way line, and a really fine bout of passing, culminated in Bill oJnes getting over. Then there were twenty minutes of absolute rout, during which the black brigade broke through the d-fe?,. three times in quick succession, one try being, however, disa l ?d, Then Llwynypia struggled to confine the game to the forwards, an d ?, firly sucoe&sful, for the f tht victors was not added to. The visitors were comparatively weak at half, three-quarter, and full back. Their for. wards played a good game, frequently wheel- ing the scrums and initiating smart dribbles. But in tackling and heeling out they were manifestly tho inferiors f the home eight. In- deed, I am inclined to think that in the sup shod taokling of the Llwynypia men lay their chiefest fault. Had they all been able to collar like Thomas, the half, the score against them would have been much less. N.?Ah tave never during the season given a. better display. In th. f"t 1.1f, it?, things were very dull; the remark applies to the ;?,d. An -cell..t u.de,,t.??ding exi&ted between all the departments -,i ?to r i?,. a worked t.gthe, splenddly. The "8,8 got the baU frequently and fed ^neir bac" in first-clase style. Johnny Williams brought off sesci-dl brilliant runs, while Chariie and Bill Jones both proved thtmwlvea worthy of their p l aces. Georgy Triok nu goue :J"ir lelad¡';¡ on:wr: n:hinS;:e bu? mulled most of his opportunities. Like my- elf. he had better give up football and tako to skittles. Of the three-quarters on the other 8ide I was favourably impressed with the play oP pill ips, Edmund and Gr?ffith?. In the first mentioned, the L?w?-.Ypi. team have ..an who should develop i?to a really kne centre three-quarter. In fact, the whole quartette, not omitting Tom Williams, will prove a thorn in the sides of rivals when the oouibinar tiou improves. Powell and Thomas plajed a fairly good half back game, but were outclassed by the tricky Neath couple, whe never showed up to better advantage. The forwards on either side played a splendid game, each man working honestly and well. Joe Daviea played splendidly at full-back, his kick- ing being brilliant and his tackling strong. Footballetre in Llaaely Rave been living in exciting times during the past month or 80. They have been living on exoellent fare, and each Saturday have had a dish fit to set before a king. But even this palls upon one in time, for you can't always be playing Cardiff or Swansea or Cambridge University without cry- ing, "Hold, it ie enough." It is no wonder, then, that footballers in the tin-plate town hailed the match with BriHgwater as one in which the exoitement woulrt not run so hitrh as it has been doing recently. It was looked upon as a "soft" thing Tor the scarlets, and was more welcome on that aocount It was anything but an exciting match, and the home team should have piled up a much bigger score. In the first ten minutes Badger made two magnificent openings which should have ended in tries, but neither of these was taken up. Then Evan Lloyd crossed three times, but was called back. Bridgwater were happy in the possession of a very energetio lot of forwards with a tre- mendous oapacity for hard work. They played a sound game, but did not show any cleverness in obtaining possession of the ball. But, un- fortunately for them, they could not prevent Llanelly securing it, and onoe the scarlets did obtain ifc )-oil may be sure it was not long before the third line was set in motion. The feature of the match was the try got by Badger. This was about the finest individual effort ever seen at Stradey. From the Bridg. water 25 the international fairly corkscrewed himself through he entire m"¿ of his oppo- nents, and finished up by planting the 4il behind the posts. It is to be hoped that the Llanelly crack will do something like this a* Swansea next Saturday. The Llanelly passing was not quite up to the mark, but what can vou do in a gale of wind? D. Evans made a good substitute for Morgan, while Ben Davies got off in very pretty style at times. In the second half he might have scored at least twice, had he been less unsel. fish. Morgan Williams at full back was again a distinct suoecss. His only fault on Saturday was a tendency to come too close up to the three-quarters. Aberavon thought they had a soft thing oil with Ebbw Vale, but in less than five minutes after the game had started they found that they had been mistaken in their mleulations. as in Ebbw Vale they found foemea worthy of their steel. During the first half, when the Valians had a strong wind in their favour, the home terri- tory was the scene of action for tlie most part of the time, and the Afonitos filed to scor^. but in the latter ].If ,tt4?r,? were reversed, and the home men snatched a victory by the very brilliant run of Heywood, who, from the centre-line, evaded a string of his opponenli. The homesters were unfortunate in not having the services of Rees Lewis at back, and Evan Evans, a splendid dribbler, from the forward rank. Heywood and Hemsworth were the best of the homesters, and Jonew and Bayton were tha pick of the visitors. The game OIl the Cardiff Arms Park between the Cardiff Reserves and Chepstow was a poor one. Of course, a "'ally good game oould ..t ?. been expected n -e weather tht prevailed, but til me might h?e hoped fm jittl? better form than that .hown. 1M chopping and (hanging in the constitution of the blue and black team may in some measure be due to the breaking up of that combina- tion wliioh was so discouraging to their oppo- m-itfe in the earlier part of the Heason. Any. liow, their pacing has miainly gone to "1_, They had a new full back playing for them JI't;a: ieili" s:c h!:n illt of the Northern, and he is rl .mart 'ui, bfinif quite equal to Wattio Davieg in every respect. It would be a pity if they lost their record after going so well up to now, and I would exhort them to keep their men well up to the mark as regards training, and alsa to eliaage thein about as little as possible. 111 vi- it of the Bristol eleven to Cardiff was, m fntunatelv. not favoured by weather suit- able for Association football, and the game, as was nnh- to be expected, could hardly be called ari interesting one. The side aided by the gale which was blowing from end to end of tht field always had matters all their own way, and, of course, under such circum8ta.nce., a draw was the most satisfactory result which could have taken place. If anything, Cardiff hold a slight all-nund superiority, as wu proved by the fact that when playing again«t the wind they on two or three occasions made an attack on the Bristol goal—a feat which ,h mi""ly f.?o,?.d their pn-?-nt,3 failed h accompli8h The players who shone moA were ,he two g?al -keepers, neither of who j ma d e a single m i sta k e, while the Cardiff I'? wing ?vtril times brought off some ,,Tl creditable drihblM. "llle defence of the visi» y,r< back division ?u lw- af,?- and f°J ('1' F.rtli?e Td his -f,T?,, at hall back fed their forwards judiciously. On New VearV T)av what should prove 2 crreat attraction to all followers of A"nr¡.ti"" football in Cardiff will take place at the Roatc encWure in th. first visit of Crewe to the W pt," Metropolis. The special flrl" of the Cardi:f committee to place a strona eleven in the field have met with 8t1<,<,e. and a thoroughly representative team will be <eell out Th visiting team po*seeses the re' tation of being a smart organisation, whirn being the case a keen and exciting BtrUCgle