The Welshman

WATER QUESTION AT CARMARTHEN. The Town Council met on Friday. I here were present-Mr John Thomas (mayor), Mr J. Howell Thomas, Mr H. Norton, Mr T. M. Davies, Mr D. Lewis (merchant), Mr C. W. Jones, Mr T. H. Lewis, Mr D. Lewis, and Mr D. B. Edwards. THE SURVEYOR'S BEPOXT. The tuntier trials by Mr Hawksley have proved tne existence of water-bearing strata at different depths up to nearly 40 feet from the surface, but in every case, at all depths below 20 feet (or thereabouts), the clayey sand that foiled us before is met with, rendering it impossible "to utilise these lower strata. The body of water which is found at 20 feet is that in which the original wells were sunk and into which two others have now been driven for the purpose of more exactly determining the rate at which the gravel can be made to yield water. Mr Hawksley having been compelled to leave for Cardiff this question is still undetermined, but from my own previous experiments I do not myself think we can get more than five or six thousand gallons per hour as mentioned in my previous report, though I shall, of course, be glad if it is found that I have underrated the quantity. It must not, however, be lost sight of that even should Mr Hawksley onccced in obtaining a somewhat larger supply by means of new wells, the alteration of the suction pipe will cost a considerable sum, especially if it should be found ad- visable to extend the area over which the wells are driven and thus render an increased length of pipe necessary. In this uncertainty as to the result, I have thought it best to again examine the possibility of obtaining (or at least augmenting) our supply from the other sources which have been from time to time referred to. I fear an ordinary deep well in the rock is too uncertain and too expensive to render it worth considering. The river would in some respects be convenient, but I do not think it a very advantageous source on the whole; and we are thus once more thrown back upon the Gwili water in the Tin Works leat, which the Council will remember was at one time adopted as the best source of supply in connection with the scheme for using a water-wheel to drive the pumps. The leat might, as has been often suggested, be run into a reservoir on Sundays and be then pumped up during the week. This reservoir could most easily be constructed in the field on the upper side of the leat, opposite the engine- house—where the ground is less treacherous than in the meadow below,—the water being lifted into it by the present engine. Very little power would be required for so small a lift, an d the whole week's supply could without difficulty be thus raised between Saturday night and Monday morning, ready to be pumped thence to the Cwmmoernant reservoir. Another possible arrangement would be to catch the water as it leaves the Tin Works and convey it in earthenware pipes to the pumping engine, thus rendering any reservoir unnecessary. Since the adoption by Messrs. Lester and Thomas, of the plan of intercepting the vitriol, the water is not fouled in passing through the works as it formerly was, and I am informed that what little refuse still enters the stream might easily be kept out. The water would then leave the works as pure as it enters them. The last, most simple, and cheapest method of all, would be by converting the present temporary connection with the leat into a per- manent one and pumping from it continuously. I have gone carefully into the loss of water power that the proprietors of the Tin Works would suffer, and find it to be very small indeed,—not more than if horse at most, even if we drew our whole supply from the leat; while if we get our 5,000 gallons per hour from the wells, the loss would be only 4 of a horse power; in fact quite inappreciable. If, however, we take the outside extreme, and call it a loss of one horse power, this would represent a loss of about one cwt. of coals per day, which at their present enormous price would be only Is per day. If therefore it could be arranged with Messrs. Lester and Thomas to pay them a small sum weekly during the summer months, every difficulty would be removed and the whole of the machinery would be used just as it is and without any expense of pipe alteration worth speaking of. I wish, though, to repeat, that measures would have to be taken to divert one or two drains that now run into or too near the leat that the pumping ought to be stopped if the water should get so low as to be sensibly fouled by cattle (the reservoir being kept full would then serve to maintain the supply),* and that more decided steps should be taken to prevent the enormous waste of water that now occurs in the town and thereby diminish the quantity to be pumped up and consequently reduce to a minimum the cost of pumping. The Town Ulerk-This report ought to come before a committee -there has been a committee appointed-and then we could go into other matters appertaining to the question. Mr T. H. Lewis-It strikes me that we shall have no end of this affair if we go on referring it to other meetings. I should like a meeting called as soon as possible to go into it. The Town Clerk-I say go into it at once. Let this Council resolve itself into committee. Mr T. H. Lewis-It is no use delaying. The public are getting very anxious about it. The Town Clerk—There are two or three schemes before us and in some of them we must get the sanction of the owners of the water before we can carry them out. I have had some correspondence with Mr Yelverton's solicitor on the matter. I should like to have it talked over in committee. The Mayor-If we are going to speak about the leat water, the less we say publicly about the terms the better. Mr T. H. Lewis-I should like to see this scheme thoroughly finished before we go on to another. The Mayor-As far as I understand, it is finished. The Surveyor does not recommend us to make any more wells. Ths Surveyor at the request of the Mayor, read his report again. The Mayor-There would be a pumping into the new reservoir and then a pumping into the old one. How would that be done ? The Surveyor-With the same machinery. Mr Mayor-That would be practicable, would it, without involving any removal of the machinery. The Survyor-No removal nor any alteration. The Mayor-The water would first have to be pumped up to the new reservoir, and then run down again to be pumped into the old reservoir ? The Surveyor—Yes; so that the power you lose in pumping up you get back again by coming down. I have had a conversation with Mr Lester, but it was not sufficiently definite to enable me to give you the result of it. The Town Clerk-We should have to talk the matter over first of all with Mr Lester. Mr Norton-You want 10.000 gallons per hour and you can only get 5,000 to 6,000. The Town Clerk—There is another matter worthy of consideration. Why should we not draw our water from the river ? I do not ask for an opinion because it is unwise to do so now, but that source ought to be considered. Mr Edwards-The machinery you have now would not draw water from the river ? The Surveyor-In arranging the machinery I placed the pumps sufficiently low to allow that. The Mayor-I think we can make up our minds, after that report, that it is unwise to spend any more money upon these tube wells. Mr Norton—You mean you would not increase their numbers (cries of No no.") Mr Edwards-I should like the public at large to be made aware of the fact that the money expended is not money thrown away; and that we have expended the money in the wisest way we possibly could. I back this scheme against the water wheel or any other scheme that has been brought before the Council. By Mr Lutein's report, it would go abroad that we have spent money unwisely. The Mayor-I do not think it is at all wise, now, to discuss the relative merits of the leat and any other water schemes. It is best not to recall the past. Mr Edwards-I do not know that there is any past to recall. The Mayor-I differ from you. You are forcing us to do what we ought to avoid-to discuss the merits of two different schemes. Now, it is our duty to do the best we can under the present circumstances. There is nothing to be gained by discussing what can lead to no possible good. I believe, now that the Surveyor-at least, I take it that be recommends us to resort to the leat as a source of supply. Mr Edwards- Whnt made me make the remark was Mr Lewis's statement that the money bad been thrown awav. Mr T. H. Lewis —My dear sir, isn't it thrown away ? I say it again. It is very tantalising to know it, but it is useless to deny it. Mr T. M. Davies spoke at great length upon the objection that he had always taken to the tube well scheme, which was that the wells were placed too close together. In fact they did not cover more ground than the site of the Town Hall. He believed if the area tapped by the wells had extended over the whole of the low ground, they would have got the full quantity instead of 5,000 gallons. The Mayor-I don't believe in the 5,000 gallons. Mr T. M. Davies-I am assuming that Mr Lukin's figures are correct. The Mayor-Mr Lukin will not say that you can depend upon these 5,000 gallons per hour being continuous, and that is everything to us. Mr H. Norton-I think he does. The Surveyor said that so far from the wells being placed too close together, they were placed at double the usual distances apart. He gave Mr Norton's agent permission to place the wells wherever he pleased. The Mayor-Do you propose to pump both from the wells and the leat or from the leat only? The Surveyor-You may do either, or both. The Mayor—But what do you propose ? The Surveyor-You can do anj thing you like under the circumstances. The Mayor-But do you propose to cut off the wells ? The Surveyor-No. The Mayor, emphatically-Well, then, I say thig-let us spe what supply we get at present from the wells. The Surveyor-I cannot do it. The Mayor—Why not. The Surveyor-I cannot run the engine half speed. 1 have already explained that I cannot. The Mayor-In fact at full speed you can pump the place dry in four-and-twenty hours. The burveyor-Oh. no The Mayor-I believe you cannot run the pumps full speed for two hours. The Surveyor-That is untrue. The Mayor- Well, let us run them as long as we can (hear, hear), and we shall know what they can do. I have heard a strong opinion that there is no water there. If this water is to be had from the wells let us see how much we can get there. If we get only a small quantity there will be no difficulty in getting the remainder from the leat. If, on the other band; the wells yield the quantity stated we can take the other 2000 or 3000 gallons out of the leat. The Surveyor-It is not a question of taking 2,000 or 3,000 gallons out of the leat; it is a question of taking 5,000 gallons. The Mayor-I say it is a question of 10,000 gallons. The Surveyor-I do not think so. The Mayor—Ah, there it is. But why not prove it by disconnecting the wells from the leat. It appears a very strange thing to me that you cannot run an engine at half speed. The Surveyor-I have explained to you before that as soon as we begin pumping at half speed, the sand gets into the pumps. If I have taken that machinery to pieces once I have done so half a dozen times The Mayor-You have made an estimate of the quantity taken. Can you repeat it to us? The Surveyor said he could not. In answer to Mr Norton, the Surveyor said that the water would easily gravitate from the Tin Works to below the pumps. The Mayor said that if they decided to take water from the reservoir they ought to take it above Tanerdy. The water below Tanerdy was polluted more than in the whole course of the stream. He was most favourable to the scheme first recommended by Mr Lukin of making a reservoir, to catch the leat water On Sundays. It had this advantage, that the leat water was purer on Sundays than on any other day, because the pollution from the factories would have flowed down on the Satur- day night. Mr T. M. Davies doubted whether all the pollutions would flow down before Sunday. He also stated that he believed it was possible to gravitate the water from the leat into the proposed reservoir, which would be preferable to pumping. The Town Clerk-But we have machinery all ready for pumping. The Surveyor, in answer to Mr H Norton, said the estimated cost of a new resorvoir would be £500. I The Mayor said it would be infinitely better to gravitate water than to pump it, if gravitation were possible. They would get the water quicker. The Surveyor, in answer to the Mayor, said he could lift to the resorvoir above the leat, supposing it were constructed there, about 10,000 gallons a minute-a great deal more than he could lift to the old resorvoirs. In reply to Mr Edwards the Surveyor said that the amount of Mr Norton's contract was 1: 100, and that the terms of the contract were that Mr Norton was to sink a sufficient number of wells to bring to the surface 10.000 gallons of water per hour. The pumps failed to do that, and he (the Surveyor), considered we were not liable to pay the amount. All the sinking of the wells was done at Mr Norton's risk, and the only expense incurred by the town was that for placing the pipes and purchasing and fixing the engine. The Surveyor, in answer to Mr H. Norton, said that Mr Norton, the contractor, sent his agent to drive test wells. The agent, Mr Middleton, considered that 10 wells would be sufficient. He (the surveyor) did not think they would be sufficient, but Mr M iddleston judged for himself and reported to Mr Norton. The test tubes were tried with the fire engine and the biggest pumps the corporation had. In consequence of these trial wells having been made, Mr Norton wrote to say that he would enter into a contract to supply 10,000 gallons of water per hour, and named eight or 10 wells, as the number that would be required. He (the surveyor), made provision for 20 wells, still feeling that 10 would be insufficient. He also fitted the pumps low enough to utilise the river or the leat. Mr Norton's agent had no doubt that the water was there. He made his test entirely independent of everybody. He (Mr Lukin), had not being very confident of finding enough water. Mr Hawksley was now anxious to go deeper than 40 feet, and it was just possible that the bard stratum upon whi\h he had struck was a large boulder which were common in old alluvial beds. Mr Hawksley would return from Cardiff and resume his investigations. He (the surveyor) did cot feel sufficient confidence in the scheme to recommend any further outlay on an extended area and a longer suction pipe. Mr Hawksley might or might not be successful, and it was to meet this uncer- tainty that he (the surveyor) had provided for connec- tion with the leat or the river. Mr T. M. Davies-If we get 5,000 gallons from the wells we shall have 50 per cent. of pure water. The Surveyor said Mr Hawksley believed that if he could get through the boulder, stratum, which in nine cases out of ten underlies such soil as this, we should get any amount of water. If that were so they need not go to the leat. The Mayor said that he had no faith in the scheme. The Town Clerk, at the request of Mr T. H. Lewis, read the contract, which required Mr Norton to pro- vide and drive tube wells sufficient in number to supply 10,000 gallons of water per hour at least." The Surveyor, in reply to the Council said Mr Norton had received C50. Mr D. Lewis (postmaster) I take it Mr Norton has already sunk sufficient wells to give 5,000 gallons. The Mayor said they had better look to some other source of supply. They should do their best to get the town a supply, using the best means they had. Per- haps they had better have a committee upon the subject Mr T. M. Davies said he supported the tube well scheme because he felt there was the river and the leat to fall back upon. He felt that the Towy water was as pure as that from the Gwili, which was full of peaty matter from Cardiganshire. Mr T. H. Lewis-What about people bathing in the leat ? Mr T. M. Davies thought we were becoming a great deal too fastidious. Mr D. Lewis (merchant) said they had abundant reason to be satisfied with the works. They ought not to come to a conclusion hastily. There was plenty of water, what with the leat, the wells, and the river. He did not agree with the croakers outside. Mr D. Lewis (postmaster) moved and Mr J. Howell Thomas seconded that the whole subject be referred to the Public Works Committee. Mr Edwards urged that the meeting ought to be delayed till Mr Norton's agent could be present. He was a competent man and could enlighten them. The Surveyor said Mr Hawksley had not abandoned the works by any means, but he (the Surveyor) was not near so sanguine as Mr Hawksley was. Mr Edwards said they knew nothing but what the Surveyor told them; and what was the use of aban- doning a scheme which was about the best they could get ? The Surveyor counselled pumping from the leat till the experiments with the wells were concluded. In some places Mr Hawksley got water. In other places which seemed likely to yield water, he drove a tube and got none. Mr Edwards said it was very wrong of Mr Hawksley to go away and leave his work half done. Mr T. M. Davies asked if it was worth while for Mr Lukin to prepare an estimate of the expense of running a pipe to the river. He did not approve of ignoring the old Towy. Mr T. H. Lewis asked if the statement of expendi- ture which he had asked for at the last meeting was ready. The Town Clerk said it was not, but that the whole matter of finance would be gone into at a special meet- ing. The estimated cost of the works was not yet exceeded. After a conversation about numbering the houses and the delivery of letters in Wellfield-road, the meeting rose.

ST. CLEARS PIGEON MATCH. I The annual shooting match at pigeons took place at St. Clears on Wednesday, the ground being the marsh where the shooting has taken place during the last three or four summers. There was plenty of money, but the competition being confined to the three counties, the entries were few. The fixture, too, was rather unfortunate, the fair at Carmarthen and the assizes interfering considerably with the attendance. The get up of the meeting was left to old and practiced hands, and there was nothing wanting on their part. Mr Rider did his part as honorary secretary, and Mr Evan Wil- liams, as usual, took care of the money. They were assisted in committee and on the ground by Capt. Beynon, Mr Dixie, and Mr Ben. Hughes. Mr Roose Jones kept the score, Mr David Thomas, late of Lower Court, took the bird money, and Mr David Pugh, as usual, pulled the strings. The attendance was less numerous than usual, for the reason we have already given. During the morning the weather was very favourable, but in the afternoon rain fell continuously, and considerably lessened the interest in the proceedings, which were got off as follows 1st.—A Sweepstake for novices only, and persons who never won any public or private match or stake. Five birds each, 25 ,yards rise, five traps, 80 yards boundary, double guns, the use of both barrels, Ii oz. of shot. 1st prize, .£4; second, £ 1 10s. Rees Davies 110 11 Kelsey. 1 1 1 1 1 J. James 1 0 1 0 Capt. Beynon 0 1 0 0 Todd 10 10 First Botind.-Rees Davies's bird from the middle trap, was knocked with the first and settled with the second barrel. Mr Kelsey's bird from the second trap, was well killed. James bad one 11 no bird." His second bird from the fifth trap, was well brought down with the first barrel. Capt Beynon had one no bird." His second bird, from the second trap, was missed with both barrels. Mr Todd's bird from the second trap, was well killed with the first barrel. Second Rouna.-Rees Davies bird, from the fifth trap, was well killed with the first barrel. Mr Kelsey's bird, from the middle trap, was knocked dead with the first barrel. James's bird, a good one, rose from the middle trap and went away unhurt. Capt. Beynon 8 bird, from the middle trap, was knocked dead with the first barrel. Mr Todd had one "no bird." His second bird, from the first, trap, was hit, but got away. Third Round.-Rees Davies's bird, from the first trap, was hit fatally, but got out of bounds. Mr Kelsey's bird, from the second trap, was killed well. James's bird, from the first trap, was also killed well. Captain Beynon's bird, from the fifth trap, went away unhurt Mr Todd's bird, from the fourth trap, was knocked down with the first barrel. Fourth Roulld.-Rees Davies's bird, from the fourth trap, was brought down with the first barrel. Mr Kelsey's bird, from the middle trap, was well killed with the first barrel. James's bird, from the same trap, got away unhurt. Capt. Beynon's bird was shot, and fell within bounds, but was lost. Mr Todd's bird was missed with both barrels. Fifth Boitnd.-Rees Davies's bird, from the first trap, was well killed with the first barrel. Mr Kelsey had one "no bird." His second bird, from the fifth trap, was well killed at a long distance, and he took the first prize. 2nd.—A sweepstakes, open to gentlemen only; conditions same as the first. First prize, X4; 2nd, < £ 1 10s. T. Rider 11011 I Rice Beynon. 1 1 1 1 1 Ben Hughes 1 1 1 1 1 1 First Round. — Mr Rider first took the gun. His bird rose from the fifth trap, and was knocked tumbling with the first barrel. Mr Beynon's bird, from the same trap, was hit hard with the first, and settled with the second, barrel. Mr Hughes's bird, a poor one, rose from the middle trap, and when within a foot from the ground was easily disposed of. I Second Round.—Mr Rider's bird, from the first trap, was hit hard with the first, and settled with the second, barrel. Mr Beynon's bird, from the fourth trap, was hit tumbling with the first barrel. This was an excel- lent shot. Mr Hughes's bird, from the same trap, was also shot dead with the first barrel. Third Round.—Mr Rider's bird, loth to rise from the fourth trap, at last got up and flew away unhurt by both barrels. Mr Beynon's bird, from the fifth trap, was hit dead with the first barrel. Mr Hughes's bird would not rise from the fifth, trap and was a no bird," being knocked down by a stranger. Mr Hughes's next bird, from the second trap, was well killed with the first barrel. Fourth Round.—Mr Rider's bird from the first trap, was well killed with the first barrel. Mr Beynon's bird, from the same trap, was hit with the first and second barrels, and fell within bounds. Mr Hughes had another "no bird." His second bird, from the second trap, was hit hard with the first barrel, when it flew towards the gun, and was well killed. Fifth Round. Mr Rider's bird, from the second trap, was knocked dead with the first barrel. Mr Beynon's bird, from the second trap, was well fetched down with the first barrel. Mr Hughes's bird, from the fifth trap, was hit with the first and well killed with the second barrel. TIES. R. Beynon 1 0 0 B. Hughes 1 0 1 First Ties -Mr Beynon's bird from the fifth trap, was well killed with the first barrel. Mr Hughes's bird, from the middle trap, was hit with the first barrel, flew towards the gun, and was well killed with the second barrel. Second Ties.-Mr Beynon's bird, from the middle trap, was hit, but got well away Mr Hughes's bird, from the middle trap, was also hit, but got away. Third Ties.-Mr Beynon's bird from the first trap, was feathered with the second barrel, but got out of bounds. Mr Hughes's bird from the same trap, was knocked- dead with the first barrel, within a few feet of the trap, and he took the first prize. 3rd.—A sweepstakes, open to all comers except gamekeepers and professionals; conditions the same. First prize, X4; 2nd prize, £ 1 10s. T. Rider 10111 Rice Beynon 1 0 0 1 1 Daniel Thomas 0 1 1 1 1 First Round. — Mr Rider's bird, from the middle trap, was knocked tumbling with the first barrel. Mr Beynon's bird, from the first trap, was similarly treated. Thomas's bird refused to rise, and was declared no bird." It was well peppered at last, but escaped to the woods. The second bird, was loth to rise from the middle trap, but rose at length and got away unhurt. Second Round.-Mr Rider's bird, from the second trap, got away unhurt. Mr Beynon's bird, from the first trap, also got away. Thomas's bird, from the middle trap, was knocked tumbling with the first barrel. Tltird Round. Mr Rider's bird, from the first trap, was well killed with the first barrel. Mr Beynon's bird refused to rise from the fifth barrel, but at length rose and got away unhurt. Thomas's bird, from the first trap, was well brought down with the first barrel. Fourth Round.-Nir Rider's bird, from the middle trap, was hit hard with the first and settled with the second barrel. Mr Beynon's bird, from the first trap, was knocked tumbling with the first barrel. Thomas's bird, from the first trap, was well killed with the first barrel. Fifth Round.-Mr Rider's bird, from the middle trap, was well brought down with the first barrel. Mr Beynon bad a no bird." His second bird, from the second trap, was well killed with the first barrel. Thomas's bird was knocked down with the first barrel, I and caught within bounds. TIES. Rider. 1 I Thomas 0 First Ties.-Mr Rider's bird, from the second trap, was well killed. Thomas's bird, a good one, rose from the middle trap, and got away unhurt. 4th. A sweepstakes, open to gentlemen only, who have never won a public or private match or stake above the the value of X5. Conditions the same. First prize, X4 2nd, J61 10S. Kelsey. 11010 I Capt. Beynon. 0 1 0 0 1 Ben Hughes 0 1111 First Round. Mr Kelsey's bird was well killed. Capt. Beynon's bird, from the middle trap, was hit hard, but got away. Mr Hughes's bird, from the second trap, well feathered, but got away strong on the wing. Second Round.-Mr Kelsey's bird, an easy one, rose from the first trap, and was knocked tumbling with the first barrel. Capt. Beynon's bird, from the first trap, was hit with both barrels and fell just within bounds Mr Hughes had one no bird." His second bird, from the fifth trap, was well killed with the second barrel. Third Round.-Mr Kelsey's bid, a good one, rose from the first trap, and got away unhurt. Capt. Beynon's bird, an easy one, was missed with both barrels. Mr Hughes's bird, a black one, rose from the middle trap, and was knocked dead with the first barrel. Fourth Bound. Mr Kelsey's bird from the first trap, was well killed with the second barrel, at a long dis- tance. Capt. Beynon's bird, a fast one, rose from the same trap, and got away untouched. Mr Hughes's bird, from the first trap, was knocked tumbling with the first, and settled with the seeond barrel. Fifth Round.—Mr Kelsey's bird, from the fifth trap, was hit with the first barrel, missed with the second, and got away. Capt. Beynon's bird, from the middle trap, was hit dead with the first barrel. Mr Hughes's bird from the first trap, was well killed, and he took the first honours. A Sweepstake of 5s. each. Three birds. 25 yards rise. T. Rider. 0 0 Eelsey 1 1 1 :I:I 0 t 0 Rice Beynon. 1 1 1 Ben Hugh"s 1 0 Todd 1 1 0 First Round.-Mr Rider's first bird rose from the first trap, and went away unhurt. Mr Kelsey's bird, from the first trap, was knocked dead with the first barrel. Mr Bristol's bird, from the fourth trap, was missed, the Mr Beynon's bird, from second barrel not going off- Mr Beynon's bird, from the fifth trap, was well killed. Mr Hughes's bird, from the fourth trap, was well fetched down. Mr Todd's bird, a good one, was brought down and caught within bounds. Second Round.—Mr Rider's bird, from the second trap, was hit hard, and fell out of bounds Mr Kolseys bird, from the first trap, was well brought down with the first barrel. Mr Bristol's bird, from the middle trap, was hit with the first and killed with the second barrel Mr Beynon's bird from the middle trap, was well fetched down with the first barrel. Mr Hughes's bird, from the middle trap, got away unhurt, but was brought down by an outsider. Mr I odd s bird, from the middle trap, was well killed with the first barrel. Third Round.-Mr Kelsey s bird, from the first trap, was well killed at a long distance. Mr Bristol's bird, from fifth trap, was hit hard but fell out of bounds. Mr Beynon had one no bird. His second bird, from the second trap, was knocked dead with the first barrel. Mr Todd's bird from the fourth trap, was hit hard, but got away. Mr Kelsey and Mr Beynon divided the stakes. Another sweepstakes of 5s each was divided between Mr Rider and Mr Ben. Hughes. There were several minor stakes shot for during the evening, until the birds were exhausted. The birds, which cost the committee Is 4d each, were charged Is each to the shooters. The weather made the proceedings in the latter part of the day somewhat disagreeable, though the absence of the customary brass band was a considerable improvement upon former years. The committee met in the evening to talk over matters, and it was agreed that the meeting next year shall take place in May, and that it should be open to the world. Challenge cups will be offered, and other measures taken to make the meeting as attractive as possible.

PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW. I THE BALLOT. I On Monday, after a number of petitions had been presented by the Duke of Richmcnd, Lord Derby, Lord Salisbury, and the Duke of Marlborough, praying their lordships to maintain their amendments to the Ballot Bill, Lord Ripon moved that tneir lordships should not insist upon their amendment providing for a scrutiny, but should adopt the amendment to the amendment passed by the Commons. To this the Duke of Richmond consented, on the ground that the Commons' amendment would a llow the vote to be traced with greater ease, and thus carried out his own views. Lord Ripon then moved that their lordships should not insist upon their amendment substituting optional for compulsory secrecy in voting. The amendment, be said, destroyed the whole character of the bill, and it would have been better to have thrown it out altogether than to have rendered it illusory in the manner proposed. The Duke of Richmond recommended their lordships to insist upon their amendment, and stated his belief that the great bulk of the country was not in favour of secret voting. Under the bill as it stood those who wished to vote secretly could have as much secrecy as they pleased. The amendment, which bad been adopted at his suggestion, bad been brought forward with due thought and deliberation, and he asked their lordships to give those who wished to vote openly an opportunity of doing so. The Duke of Northumberland supported Lord Ripon's motion, and the Duke of Marlborough opposed it. Lord Grey said that he intended to support the amendment which limited the duration of the bill to 1880, but their lordships would be cutting the ground from under them on that question unless the ballot were tried in a form satisfactory to its advocates. Lord Russell said that when he went to Lord Grey with the draft of the Reform Bill of 1831, Lord Grey insisted on the ballot being excluded. To this he had no objection, because in the Committee which draw the bill he had used every argument against secret voting. The ballot was also opposed by Sir Robert Peel, who was as strongly opposed to it as Lord Grey. The privilege of a man to vote openly should be guarded as sacredly in Old England as it was at this day in New England. While our modern parliamentary history has been one continued and successful struggle for publicity, elections alone were now to be secret and pri- vate. The introduction of secret voting would not, however, stand alone. Universal suffrage might soon follow in its train, and he contrasted the constitutional language of the Earl Grey of the Reform Bill with the language used by Mr Gladstone at Blackheath in regard to the abolition of their lordships' House. After some observations from Lord Penzance and Lord Harrowby, Lord Granville said he could hardly conceive that their lordships would place themselves in antagonism to the House of Commons on a question affecting the procedure at elections. Lord Russell had quoted Victoria as a colony which had refused to adopt the ballot, but Victoria had the very form of ballot which was engrafted upon this bill. Lord Russell was naturally, perhaps, laudator temporis acti, but he had not advanced one good argument in favour of the mixture of open and secret voting. He questioned whether it was consonant with true Conservative feeling for their lorsbips to declare that the House of Commons was not the correct exponent of the feeling of the country, and cautioned them never to make a stand against the House of Commons unless their ground was much firmer than it was upon this question. On division Lord Ripon's motion was carried by 157 to 138. On the provision enabling parliamentary aided schools to be used as polling places, Lord Salisbury proposed that words should be added to the effect that any loss of fees or public grant due to the interruption so caused in the attendance of the scholars should be made good by the Privy Council, and on division his motion was car- ried by 1] 7 to 67. Lord Ripon next moved that their lordships should not insist upon their amendment limiting the duration of the bill to the year 1880, since it was, he contended, unnecessary and undesirable that a temporary character should be given to such a measure. Lord Beau- champ supported the amendment because the bill was purely experimental, and on a division it was carried by 117 to 58. Lord Ripon then moved that their lordships should not insist upon their ameadment allowing the votes of illiterate persons to be taken by the returning officer instead of a magistrate. Lord Cairns could not see why a man should make a true statement before a magistrate and tell a lie before the returning officer. On division the motion was rejected by 88 to 57. Some verbal amendments rendered necessary by these changes were agreed to, and a Committee was appointed to draw up reasons for declining to agree to the remainder of the Commons' amendments. DEFENCE OF MR EYRE. In Committee of Supply, on Monday, a vote of £ 4,133 for repaying Mr Eyre, the late Governor of Jamaica, the costs of his defence was proposed by Mr Lowe. Mr Bo wring opposed the vote, and went at great length into the history of the Jamaica outbreak and the correspon- dence between Mr Eyre and the Colonial Office. No promise, he maintained, bad been made to Mr Eyre by the late Government, and Mr Eyre's costs, he pointed out, had been already paid by public subscription. Sir C. B. Adderley protested against the unjust and un- generous tone of Mr Bowring's speech. Mr Gilpin condemned Mr Eyre's conduct, and pronounced the late Mr George W. Gordon a murdered man. After some remarks from Colonel North, Mr M. Chambers, Mr Wheelhouse, Mr T. Hughes, and other members, Mr Russell Gurney, as one of the Royal Commission on the Jamaica outbreak, was ready to abide by their finding that there was a planned insurrection, a clear conspiracy, and a danger which, if it had not been averted, might have cost much bloodshed. But he also adhered to the conclusion that, though Governor Eyre was justified in proclaiming martial law, it was unnecessarily prolonged. Of many of the barbarities prac- tised Mr Eyre was totally ignorant; but, having set such a piece of machinery as martial law in action, he was blamable in not vigilantly watching its operation. Mr Eyre bad acted honestly, though mis- takenly. For his errors of judgment, however, ho had been severely and properly punished, and ought not to be punished any more: Mr Serjeant Simon and Mr V. Harcourt opposed the vote. Mr Gladstone said that the question was full of difficulties and if it had been sub- mitted to the Government free from a prior engagement they might not have thought it right to authorize a pro- posal to pay Mr Eyre's costs. That such an engagement, however, did exist, Mr Gladstone showed from the papers before the House, and declared that it was not as a point of honour between the late *and the present Government that he submitted the vote, but as a point of honour to Mr Eyre, and in support of the principles on which the public service ought to be conducted. Mr Hardy reminded the House of the difficulties with which Mr Eyre bad to contend in Jamaica, and of the prosecutions he had undergone at home, and urged that under the circumstances the country should not allow him to be ruined by these costs. On a division, the vote was carried by 243 to 130.

THE MAGAZINES. I The space occupied by local news last week compelled us to reserve the magazines until to-day, although we are not now in a position to give any of the extracts marked for quotation. These we can use again. But unhappily our notice must this be curtailed. This we regret the more inasmuch as there are some papers in Blackwood and Fraser that should have more than a passing remark. We may perhaps make amends next week. In the mean time we have to observe respecting Blackwood first that the great novel to which we have frequently referred is brought to a conclusion. The Spectator en- dorses the opinion we have expressed as to its merits, and in speaking of the closing chapters says—' The Maid of Sker' is concluded in a style as curiously original and dramatic as the rest of the book, which will, we think, be recog- nised by the public as a most powerful, though somewhat unpleasant novel of adventure, written with that sub-tone of self-satire of which Gait was a master, and which is, to those who enjoy it, as olives to those who like them. Whether it will sell we doubt, but that it will live we feel assured." The criticism on Lord Byron is most able, as indeed are all the papers in the series "A Century of Great Poets." There is also a capital article The British Tourist in Norway," which will be most appreciated by intending tourists. The Ministry are soundly drubbed in an article headed A Precarions Existence." Blackwood is always outspoken and vigorous on the political questions of the day. These qualities command respect even when one cannot adopt all that is said. There is a touching tribute at the end of the number to the memory of Charles Lever, the O'Dowd of Blackwood. In Fraser, General Cluserte's confession, "My connection with Fenianism," will have more readers than any of the other contributions. Next week we hope to give a summary of this paper with some remarks. For the present we can only state that the Fenian failure is made to appear more despicable than ever. The General was most anxious to lead an army against Eng- land, and it was arranged that ten thousand men should be placed under his command. But half that number could not be found, and for these there were no arms. The leaders drank and quarrelled among themselves, and the cause became hopeless in their hands. In these cir- cumstances General Cluseret left this country in disgust with Fenianism, and a more correct knowledge of the Irish character. Mr. Francis Francis contributes a most amusing article on Clever Fishes," showing that they perform feats in the search for food and in self-defence strongly resembling what are considered human inventions, but which, Mr Francis suggests, may after all be only copies from nature. There is also a clever paper on "The Royal Academy Exhibition," and another on Competitive Examination" by A. K. H. B. M. Betham- Edwards's paper, "From Cairo to Athens," is most enjoyable. Besides these there are" Rahel and Varnhagen Yon Ense" and Rambles at Canterbury;" also, "The Burgomaster's Fami- ly," and The Misadventures of Mr Catlync." The more notable stories in Temple Bar are- "The Wooing o't," "The Story of Francois," "The Twenty-Thousand-Pound Widow," and "Good-Bye Sweetheart." These form a great portion of the number, and judging from their literary merit and the matter of o the stories themselves, they must be very acceptable to the readers of this popular magazine. The articles, too, are excellent. They are, A Memorable Pope," Napoleon's Campaign of Ulm and Austerlitz," Taming of the Schrew," and Thefts from an Old Keepsake. Belgravia would perhaps be quite as popular if it contained only To the Bitter End" and Three to One," or perhaps we should say that its popularity mainly depends at present on these two novels, which we suppose every- body reads. Still there are some shorter things valuable in themselves. For example, there are this month three or four pleasant sketches- "Young America," "Trawls and Trawlers, and Mr Sala's humourous notice of the Inter- national Exhibition, which he describes as "The Great National Dry-Goods Store, South Kensington." We must not forget to mention the opening chapters of a new tale—"Colonel Beynon's Entanglement," by Miss Braddon. London Society could scarcely have presented a more attractive table of contents. The stories are—" A Leap in the Dark," "Romance of a Ring," University Sketches," and "An Octave of Friends." The other contributions are a sketch, with criticisms, of Chateaubriand with Antoine Wiertz, and Our Philosophers," with some shorter contributions. The illustrations are as usual very good. The Holiday Number of London Society is liberally illustrated, some of the lighter sketches in particular being uncommonly clever and humourous. The principal papers are Uncle Geoffrey's Tall Copy of Terence," How we crossed the Steinerne Meer," To the Death," "Holiday Time in the Isle of Wight," "Under the Willows," "The Shadow of Shallow-Mere Gap," One Summer Night," and The End of a Dream." At this season for light and entertaining reading give us before almost any others these two magazines. With the exceptien of a graphic sketch of Scarborough The Argosy is given altogether to novels, and we like it all the better for that, especially when the principal story is by Mrs Henry Wood. "Within the Maze" is written with her accustomed ability. The other stories are Caught in a Prairie Storm," A story of the Day," and "Presmer: a French story." These are light and charming. The People's Magazine has greatly improved, and now takes its place fairly by the side of our best popular serials. Among the more attractive and useful papers are Sea-side Studies," "The Coolie," "Croxden Abbey," and The Church in the House." There is too the opening chapters of "The Earl's Promise," a new novel by Mrs Riddle, and some shorter stories, such as "The Pannelled House" and Miss Weston's Romance." Chambers's Journal is as usual instructive and entertaining from the first to the last page. The continuous tale is A Woman's Vengeance." Among the last papers are—" Yesterdays with authors," which gives some characteristic recollec- tions of Thackeray and Dickens; "The Ring of Rings," full of curious information; The Home of other Days," an able resume of Mr Wright's book; and A Poet's Autobiography," a notice of Thomas Cooper's earlier days. It is really surprising how so much special information on the current fashions and needle- work, with other occupations for ladies, is brought together from month to month in The English- woman's Domestic Magazine and Beeton's Young Englishwoman, apparently more than a hundred pages, with very many illustrations, some of them coloured, and others filling large sheets, replete with matter deeply interesting to ladies. All we can do is to commend these magazines to the attention of our readers. The Leisure Hour and The Sunday at Home provide a large amount of reading, instructive and interesting, and at the same time of a decidedly moral and religions character. There is no impurity—no pandering in the least to sensual appetites. Everything is good and wholesome. No better magazines can any- where be found for family reading. The novels in progress are Anson Gregg's Wedding," and Sunday Evenings at Northcourt." Among the best papers are Children of the Olden Time," "Revolution and Progress in Japan," "Reminiscences of Sir Walter Scott," "Primi- tive Man," "A Visit to the Yalleys of Pied- mont," and Chapters in the Religious History of France." The True Catholic defends Pro- testantism by exposing the operations of the Roman Catholic Church in Europe. The Tract Magazine and The Child's Companion are pretty and interesting publications, and please very many readers. The Family Friend and The Children's Friend are admirable publications designed to counteract the influence of pernicious literature. If they fail in their purpose it will not be for any lack of wisdom or ability in the contributions, which are in every way excellent. CasselVs Magazine contains eleven chapters of "The Doctor's Dilemma," and four chapters of Mr Percy Fitzgerald's new novel, "The Little Stranger." The Quiver contains Two Stories in One" and The Dingy House at Kensing- ton." Besides these tales both numbers are enriched with many excellent papers on various subjects. Little Folks continues to please its numerous readers with pretty stories that make them smile; wonderful facts that make them feel surprised; puzzles, mazes, and riddle- me-rees that make them think; and all sorts of odds and ends that make them clever." As we have many times said Little Folks is the best magazine for children we have ever seen. CasselVs Illustrated History of the War is drawing to a close, and will when finished form a good and reliable history, written in a popular style and profusely illustrated with a view to the better understanding of the country and the movements of the troops. CasselVs Technical Educator and the new and revised edition of CasselVs Popular Educator are above praise, and should be in the hands of every person, but more particularly of those who arc educating themselves. They are a vast treasury of knowledge on nearly every subject of education. Chambers's English Dictionary is now complete, forming a thick volume of nearly a thousand pages. It is printed in large clear type, and contains in addition to all classical English words now in use, obsolete and rare words found in the works of old English writers from Spenser to Tennyson, and many scientific and technical terms. The meanings of words are arranged in such an order as to exhibit their growth and history, the primary meaning being given first in italics and the derived meanings in the order of their connection with the primary one. The etymology is given between brackets at the end. The pronunciation is given by re-writing the word phonetically, thus obviating the use of a con- fusing array of marks. The appendix contains an account of the metric system as recommended by Government to be taught in schools a list of prefixes and affixes, a vocabulary of the more common Scotch words and phrases to be met with in the writings of Burns, Ramsay, Scott, &c., prepared by Mr Wallace, Dumfries; a voca- bulary of Americanism compiled from the works of Mr J. R. Bartlett and Dr. Schele de Vere; rules for the pronunciation of foreign and classi- cal words, and other useful knowledge. We have frequently spoken of the care and ability displayed by Mr James Donald, in editing this comprehensive dictionary, which we have no doubt will supersede many now in use and become one of our most popular English diction- aries. Chahnder's Llanelly Director will be found of great service in our own locality, and by all persons trading with the thriving town and port of Llanelly. It contains an aphabetically arranged list of the inhabitants of the town and neighbourhood, including Burry Port and Pembrey, Cross Hands, Dafen, Furnace, Loughour, Pontardulais, and several places in the Gwendraeth Valley; and a classification of trades, by which in a few minutes one may ascertain the representatives of any trade carried on in the town. It also contains a list of public buildings, public officers, and other in- formation. It is hoped that Mr Chalinder will obtain sufficient encouragement to publish this useful little book periodically, as he now contem- plates.